Shocks - Any Magic?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,091
Likes: 7,612
From: Poolville
Finally an update....
Little update on the shocks. I was out on a solo ride the other day and in a super hilly section and thought I heard the bike bottom out, even felt it and said ****... So we got to the restaurant for lunch and I decided to take a look checking the tire everything and didn't see a thing. Them I notice my chain guard got pretty mangled. I couldn't straighten, I had to remove it. Not only that I took a look at the other side and my PM brake caliper made contact with the fiberglass backing of my new saddlebags... Caused a little damage but not much.
I know this seems long sorry... When I got home I started to check things out.. I reset spring rate on the shocks. They were down on 1, so I adjusted them to 4. Well see how that does. What actually did happen was that the saddlebag mount on the left side is what hit the chain guard. The bike never really bottomed out as I initially thought...
So yesterday I spaced the bracket out a 1/2" off of the fender supports. Well see how that does.. I will update again when I get a couple more rides in...
Just want you to know that the bike never bottomed out. So far so good....
I know this seems long sorry... When I got home I started to check things out.. I reset spring rate on the shocks. They were down on 1, so I adjusted them to 4. Well see how that does. What actually did happen was that the saddlebag mount on the left side is what hit the chain guard. The bike never really bottomed out as I initially thought...
So yesterday I spaced the bracket out a 1/2" off of the fender supports. Well see how that does.. I will update again when I get a couple more rides in...
Just want you to know that the bike never bottomed out. So far so good....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
Likes: 3,705
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
The chrome on the lower portion of the rear shock on my '75 FXE is a bit off the mark, so I'm considering a new set just for appearance.
Can't say I've had any issue with ride quality, but then I've never ridden anything with newer technology.
Is there anything magic about some of the pricier shock options from Progressive and others? If the ride improves, or quality in some manner justifies the additional cost, I'm fine with that.
Can't say I've had any issue with ride quality, but then I've never ridden anything with newer technology.
Is there anything magic about some of the pricier shock options from Progressive and others? If the ride improves, or quality in some manner justifies the additional cost, I'm fine with that.
Back on the bike.
Last edited by panz4ever; Apr 26, 2018 at 09:32 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Pirce County
I just bought a set of Progressive 412-4030C standard shocks for a 1975 FX that I'm currently working on.
I wish I would have seen TwiZteds advice regarding Progressive shocks before I installed them. They seem stiff right out of the box on the lowest setting.
I have not ridden the bike yet, I still have a lot to do to get it road worthy.
One thing I ran across was the upper shock mounts were 1/2" diameter on one side and 5/8" on the opposing side WTF, how does this happen?
The progressive upper mount is 1/2" ID, I pulled the 5/8" stud and turned it to 1/2" to fit the shocks for now.
I wish I would have seen TwiZteds advice regarding Progressive shocks before I installed them. They seem stiff right out of the box on the lowest setting.
I have not ridden the bike yet, I still have a lot to do to get it road worthy.
One thing I ran across was the upper shock mounts were 1/2" diameter on one side and 5/8" on the opposing side WTF, how does this happen?
The progressive upper mount is 1/2" ID, I pulled the 5/8" stud and turned it to 1/2" to fit the shocks for now.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Progressives are ok if your hauling a 300lbs old lady around but solo they are a back breaker. Up side is and this cost's you another $100 and some hassles as there are lighter rate springs available for them. Takes a phone call and somebody on the other end with half a clue on the older bikes. Stock they come with 300lbs rated springs, I've redone them with 240's with decent results.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Pirce County
Progressives are ok if your hauling a 300lbs old lady around but solo they are a back breaker. Up side is and this cost's you another $100 and some hassles as there are lighter rate springs available for them. Takes a phone call and somebody on the other end with half a clue on the older bikes. Stock they come with 300lbs rated springs, I've redone them with 240's with decent results.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,711
Likes: 9,214
From: Snow Hill, NC
I waited a long time 100000 miles to put coil over Öhlins on my 07 FLHTC spits a bigger bike yeah. The ride is head and shoulders above stock... pricey yeas but worth it ...Öhlins, Bitubo, Pro Action, Legends etc all make very good products...
Good luck on your search.
Good luck on your search.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
Originally Posted by 98hotrodfatboy
Little update on the shocks. I was out on a solo ride the other day and in a super hilly section and thought I heard the bike bottom out, even felt it and said ****... So we got to the restaurant for lunch and I decided to take a look checking the tire everything and didn't see a thing. Them I notice my chain guard got pretty mangled. I couldn't straighten, I had to remove it. Not only that I took a look at the other side and my PM brake caliper made contact with the fiberglass backing of my new saddlebags... Caused a little damage but not much.
I know this seems long sorry... When I got home I started to check things out.. I reset spring rate on the shocks. They were down on 1, so I adjusted them to 4. Well see how that does. What actually did happen was that the saddlebag mount on the left side is what hit the chain guard. The bike never really bottomed out as I initially thought...
So yesterday I spaced the bracket out a 1/2" off of the fender supports. Well see how that does.. I will update again when I get a couple more rides in...
Just want you to know that the bike never bottomed out. So far so good....
I know this seems long sorry... When I got home I started to check things out.. I reset spring rate on the shocks. They were down on 1, so I adjusted them to 4. Well see how that does. What actually did happen was that the saddlebag mount on the left side is what hit the chain guard. The bike never really bottomed out as I initially thought...
So yesterday I spaced the bracket out a 1/2" off of the fender supports. Well see how that does.. I will update again when I get a couple more rides in...
Just want you to know that the bike never bottomed out. So far so good....
I am glad to hear that you didn't bottom out using the Dyna shocks. But I'm a little confused. Is it possible that the saddle bag mount hit the chain guard because the Dyna shocks weren't stiff enough? What was the reason that the mount hit the chain guard? That shouldn't happen if the travel of the rear end is limited, right? And doesn't the shock limit that travel? So maybe they didn't bottom out, but because they have more travel than the shovel shocks, maybe they allowed the back end to travel so far that the saddle bag mount hit the chain guard? Just thinking out loud and I welcome any corrections to my (mis)understanding.