2001 Sportster rear shocks-412?
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From: toms river nj
2001 Sportster rear shocks-412?
ok so I need shocks for my dad's bike...he has a sportster 1200....its a 2001.....I was thinking about the 412's....any recommendations on the best place to purchase them or a reason to go with another shock?....he does mostly city riding with some short rides on highways....he can't do a lot of miles because of a leg injury....ryan
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From: hhhhh
ok so I need shocks for my dad's bike...he has a sportster 1200....its a 2001.....I was thinking about the 412's....any recommendations on the best place to purchase them or a reason to go with another shock?....he does mostly city riding with some short rides on highways....he can't do a lot of miles because of a leg injury....ryan
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From: toms river nj
I thinks hey are 11.5 inches actually....I figured pretty much anything else would be better than what he had but figured I'd ask some with more knowledge...thanks for your response....ryan
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From: hhhhh
Then the 412-4068(C,B) will work fine. They come in chrome (C designation) or "B" for black.
If you go more than 1/2" over stock, remember that it will change the rake angle of the front end and affect steering and possibly handling at highway speeds. . . essentially giving it quicker over steer tendency.
Also, the 412-4068 actually has the heavy duty spring rate of the next grade up. . . . unlike the other 412 "Standard" series shocks. This gives a slightly better load range of adjustability which is also why I chose this shock. I bought mine off Amazon and the price now is now about $255.
Here is the short list of 412 Series shocks for the Sporster:
Note. . Sporster stock shocks are aprox. 2.14" of travel.
412 Progressive Shock Specs: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Travel Length
412-4064C 12.5" Standard Spring w/ Chrome End Caps 3.14"/80mm 75/120 Spring Rate
412-4060C 12.5" Heavy Duty Sprg w/ Chrome End Caps 3.14"/80mm 90/130 HD Spring Rate
412-4068C 12.0" Standard- Spring w/ Chrome End Caps 2.64"/67mm 90/130 Standard Duty(Really HD)
412-4069C 12.0" Heavy Duty Sprng W/ Chrome End Caps 2.64"/67mm 115/155 Xtra Heavy Duty !
Special "Cruise" 412 Shocks:
Progressive Suspension 412CRZ-4064C Cruise 12.57" Plain Ends 3.04"/77mm 90/130 Heavy Duty
Last edited by JayTee2015; Jun 4, 2017 at 10:11 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: King Ontario
I also put 12.5 inch progressive's on my bike. I purchased their HD version. The shocks were an immediate improvement over the 10.5 inch progressive's the bike came with. I'm not sure how they compare to the stock shock set up. I went from 1 inch suspension travel to a plush 4 plus inches. The 10.5's, although had little travel with the bike nicely lowered, actually worked really well and the bike felt in control. It was amassing how well it handled the rough stuff with very little suspension travel. On the other hand the 12.5 inch Progressive's gave my bike a plush ride worthy of a half decent ride for the wife on the back. Of note the bike ran noticeably smother once the shocks were broken in. It took at least 5000 Km's.
Also of note the bikes handling also improved once I raised the rear as it put my front end geometry back to where it should be.
Also of note the bikes handling also improved once I raised the rear as it put my front end geometry back to where it should be.
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From: Bedford UK
Longer shocks won't adversely affect steering in my experience, been there! I actually have 13" on my SuperLow and the only mod I did to my forks was to rectify sag, which lifted the front a little. In the case of Ryan's dad's bike it would be worth checking fork sag, with a view to correcting it if necessary.
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From: hhhhh
Respectfully, I disagree. Except if there is fork sag as stated.
But choosing a rear shock that is longer than stock length will definitely change rake angle geometry. It is simply a factual matter of math.
How much a rider is willing to cope with the changes in steering and handling is a subjective matter. What is acceptable for one rider may be unmanageable or unsafe for another if deviated from factory designed specs. IF Ryan's dad is acclimated to the ride and handling of his motorcycle as was when new, then replacing the rears shocks and possibly front fork springs to restore the geometry to close as when new positions would be prudent rather than "buy and try" some other lengths and changes. Also, since ride height would be affected by going to a longer shock, the Ryan's dad may not like or want a higher riding position by going to a considerably longer rear shock or changing too much in the length of front fork springs and preload.
I went from the standard 11.5" shock on my 2009 XL1200C to a 12" 412-4068C and I can tell the difference in steering. For me it is acceptable. Anymore than the change I feel would be too much tendency to over steer.
Of course, changing the front fork springs is always an option to restore proper fork angle as designed for the particular Sportster model. Changes in wheel sizes also can affect front rake angle.
But choosing a rear shock that is longer than stock length will definitely change rake angle geometry. It is simply a factual matter of math.
How much a rider is willing to cope with the changes in steering and handling is a subjective matter. What is acceptable for one rider may be unmanageable or unsafe for another if deviated from factory designed specs. IF Ryan's dad is acclimated to the ride and handling of his motorcycle as was when new, then replacing the rears shocks and possibly front fork springs to restore the geometry to close as when new positions would be prudent rather than "buy and try" some other lengths and changes. Also, since ride height would be affected by going to a longer shock, the Ryan's dad may not like or want a higher riding position by going to a considerably longer rear shock or changing too much in the length of front fork springs and preload.
I went from the standard 11.5" shock on my 2009 XL1200C to a 12" 412-4068C and I can tell the difference in steering. For me it is acceptable. Anymore than the change I feel would be too much tendency to over steer.
Of course, changing the front fork springs is always an option to restore proper fork angle as designed for the particular Sportster model. Changes in wheel sizes also can affect front rake angle.
Last edited by JayTee2015; Jun 5, 2017 at 09:34 AM.
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ok so I need shocks for my dad's bike...he has a sportster 1200....its a 2001.....I was thinking about the 412's....any recommendations on the best place to purchase them or a reason to go with another shock?....he does mostly city riding with some short rides on highways....he can't do a lot of miles because of a leg injury....ryan
Front suspension also plays a BIG role in how smooth the ride is at the seat... (which most folks think is only the rear suspension).
Here is a REPORT on front suspension.
Excerpt from report-
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From: Bedford UK
Respectfully, I disagree. Except if there is fork sag as stated.
But choosing a rear shock that is longer than stock length will definitely change rake angle geometry. It is simply a factual matter of math.
How much a rider is willing to cope with the changes in steering and handling is a subjective matter. What is acceptable for one rider may be unmanageable or unsafe for another if deviated from factory designed specs.
But choosing a rear shock that is longer than stock length will definitely change rake angle geometry. It is simply a factual matter of math.
How much a rider is willing to cope with the changes in steering and handling is a subjective matter. What is acceptable for one rider may be unmanageable or unsafe for another if deviated from factory designed specs.
So while it may well be true that the handling of those two bikes will be very different, they both fall inside the envelope intended by H-D, when designing and manufacturing our bikes. You have short shocks and a large front wheel, an R has tall shocks and a smaller front wheel. Both bikes are safe, even if they are very different to ride.
The changes mentioned above are just fine!