Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

Progressive Shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 3, 2025 | 12:01 AM
  #1  
1981FLH's Avatar
1981FLH
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 64
Likes: 51
From: Darwin
Default Progressive Shocks

Happy Monday everyone,
I purchased a set of 12” 412 progressive shocks & fitted them to my FLH I’ve bolted them on as per instructions set the sag & the bike is definitely lower it scrapes the mufflers on bends & the shocks are going full travel on bumps.

I’m struggling for ideas & answers.
 
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2025 | 03:19 AM
  #2  
eighteight's Avatar
eighteight
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 7,422
From: OH
Default

What length shocks did you remove? I believe stock is 12.
I assume 412`s have at least a spring preload adjustment ?
What do the "directions" advise?
Are you a large unit ?
 

Last edited by eighteight; Nov 3, 2025 at 03:24 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2025 | 05:36 AM
  #3  
1981FLH's Avatar
1981FLH
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 64
Likes: 51
From: Darwin
Default

Originally Posted by eighteight
What length shocks did you remove? I believe stock is 12.
I assume 412`s have at least a spring preload adjustment ?
What do the "directions" advise?
Are you a large unit ?
I removed the original 12” 44 year old shocks, I’ve ridden the bike at all 5 preload settings, I’m 85kg so not a large unit, instructions are pretty basic in regards to what fittings & setting sag etc.
 
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2025 | 05:44 AM
  #4  
eighteight's Avatar
eighteight
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,795
Likes: 7,422
From: OH
Default

I removed the stock 12`s, substituted used set 13" O.E. air shocks
A bit of a struggle to get them on .
Ride is CONSIDERABLY improved
price was right
`79 FL 80kg.

 
Reply
Old Nov 3, 2025 | 08:01 AM
  #5  
chizzler's Avatar
chizzler
Cruiser
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 190
Likes: 81
From: Long Island, New York
Default oops

I just ran down to the garage an measured my '82 model. I have the wheel off and the swingarm hanging and mine measure 13.5" center to center of the bolt hole. Not 100% sure they're original but they definitely look it.
Sorry, had to edit. You have FLH I have an FLT. Please disregard.
 

Last edited by chizzler; Nov 3, 2025 at 08:04 AM. Reason: I'm an idiot
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
perki48
Sportster Models
11
Jun 6, 2024 09:12 AM
RidemyEVO
Touring Models
1
Apr 10, 2010 05:40 PM
gj75
Touring Parts
0
Oct 20, 2009 10:13 PM
SC_Compact
Dyna Glide Models
0
Mar 20, 2008 08:23 PM
dog155
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
1
Nov 23, 2006 09:50 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:19 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE