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We have the SS on the rear and the Progressive Mono-Tube on the front.
The ride is the best it can be, IMHO.
The front end dive from breaking is more manageable now and we are not bottoming out when going over the holes, dips, ruts etc. etc. in the Southern Kalifornia roads around here as we did with the HD stock front springs.
Agree on matching the fronts with the rear when possible, but unfortunately not all products from all makers are good. For example, Progressive monotubes seem to work well in certain applications but the rear progressive shocks leave a lot to be desired. I would not run their progressive front springs because that's just removing HD progressive springs and putting back in progressive springs. At least the monotubes are gas and internally damped.
Race Tech fork springs are very good- but they don't make softail shocks anymore.
Works rear shocks are very good but they don't make fronts
Shotgun does not make fronts
Legend does not make fronts.
So it's a bit of a mixed bag for HD's unfortunately. But please share what you've got on specific matching front / rear parts suggestions because it all helps.
i totally forgot to share what i had...
i ran just a regular lowering links / bolts (2" drop in rear) for the past year, but im in the process of changing a TON of stuff on the bike right now. since i got new wheels (21" front), i decided to get 2" shorter forks and installed progressive drop springs in them with screaming eagle heavy duty fork fluid. i needed 2" to compensate for a 4" bigger wheel and and 2" for the rear drop, giving it a total of 4" drop (although i think i think it will measure closer to 3 3/4")
im hoping i will have the bike 100% finished by the end of the month, but i'm already thinking i might want to go with a shockgun shock for the rear and i should have added Race Tech valves or Ricor valves for the forks... i'll see how it rides and maybe add them down the road.
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