Rear shock length
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,683
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From: Central, Ca.
Rear shock length
Put progressive fork springs in yesterday now for the back. Thinking of HD 412's @ 12" since the front is higher thought I'd raise the rear from 11.5 to 12. Has anybody done that? Did you like it?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Rear shock length
Technically,your stock springs are 11.75inches and the Progressive replacement is 11.5. Either way you go, your ride height should change less than 1/2 inch since the shocks aren't mounted at a straight verticle angle.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,683
Likes: 2,118
From: Central, Ca.
RE: Rear shock length
ORIGINAL: cHarley
Technically,your stock springs are 11.75inches and the Progressive replacement is 11.5. Either way you go, your ride height should change less than 1/2 inch since the shocks aren't mounted at a straight verticle angle.
Technically,your stock springs are 11.75inches and the Progressive replacement is 11.5. Either way you go, your ride height should change less than 1/2 inch since the shocks aren't mounted at a straight verticle angle.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Rear shock length
ORIGINAL: DPete
OK, so if I wanted to raise it a little to match the new front ride height maybe I should go 12.5. Would that give a little more travel or would the travel be the same and the length diff is in the ends of the shock?
ORIGINAL: cHarley
Technically,your stock springs are 11.75inches and the Progressive replacement is 11.5. Either way you go, your ride height should change less than 1/2 inch since the shocks aren't mounted at a straight verticle angle.
Technically,your stock springs are 11.75inches and the Progressive replacement is 11.5. Either way you go, your ride height should change less than 1/2 inch since the shocks aren't mounted at a straight verticle angle.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 4
From: Crisfield, MD
RE: Rear shock length
In answer to the shock question, I think the 12" would be great, almost thought of trying them myself considering I've had stock, 11", 11.5 heavy and now 11.5 std. all with std. hgt progressive fork springs.
Actually, I too found that the std. hgt. progressive springs in a sense raise the front up. My stock springs had a static sag under load even when sitting on the bike of about 2+". With the progressive springs when I std. the bike up and sit onit the front only drops about 1" if that using the std. 3" pvc spacer on top for preload (this left exactly 3/4" protruding from the top when putting the caps back on). I felt like the front was noticeably raised when changing springs since the stock ones sagged so much.
Actually, I too found that the std. hgt. progressive springs in a sense raise the front up. My stock springs had a static sag under load even when sitting on the bike of about 2+". With the progressive springs when I std. the bike up and sit onit the front only drops about 1" if that using the std. 3" pvc spacer on top for preload (this left exactly 3/4" protruding from the top when putting the caps back on). I felt like the front was noticeably raised when changing springs since the stock ones sagged so much.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39,683
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From: Central, Ca.
RE: Rear shock length
In comparing the length of the stock spring to the progressive including spacer they were almost the same yet it put the forks up a couple inches when riding which gives more travel to absorb bumps. When looking at the fork tubes they used to be compressed approx 60- 70% when riding particularly downhill now I'm guessing they are 30% compressed.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Rear shock length
It sounds then like the stock springs had pretty well colapsed. Good luck on the rear shocks, they will make a big difference in the ride quality.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 356
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RE: Rear shock length
with a lot of 2 up riding will 11' shocks be too short?I am about 175 and the wife is about 125
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Rear shock length
ORIGINAL: bobbsterkid7
with a lot of 2 up riding will 11' shocks be too short?I am about 175 and the wife is about 125
with a lot of 2 up riding will 11' shocks be too short?I am about 175 and the wife is about 125