Replacing rear shocks
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 29
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Replacing rear shocks
I recently purchased a 2007 sportster 883L. The rear suspension is very poor. I was told to replace the stock suspension with 412 progressive shocks. Are these the shocks that will help, and how easy are they to install.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: Replacing rear shocks
Yes, the Progressive 412's will make a real improvement in the ride quality.
When it comes to installation, do you have a bike jack? If not, it can be done by setting one shock to the max. preload setting and the other to the min. preload setting. Remove and replace the shock set to min. preload. Next, reverse the procedure for the other shock.
When it comes to installation, do you have a bike jack? If not, it can be done by setting one shock to the max. preload setting and the other to the min. preload setting. Remove and replace the shock set to min. preload. Next, reverse the procedure for the other shock.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
From: Gahanna, OH
RE: Replacing rear shocks
Congrats on your new (to you) bike & welcome from Ohio.
Progressive 412 shocks give a considerably better ride & are pretty easy to replace - 4 bolts total unless your pipes are in the way.
cHarley is correct in the shock replacement without a jack as long as you are replacing with shorter shocks. if you are using longer Progressive shocks than the stock shock, you will need to raise the frame with some type of jack.
Progressive 412 shocks give a considerably better ride & are pretty easy to replace - 4 bolts total unless your pipes are in the way.
cHarley is correct in the shock replacement without a jack as long as you are replacing with shorter shocks. if you are using longer Progressive shocks than the stock shock, you will need to raise the frame with some type of jack.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: NE FL
RE: Replacing rear shocks
How would one go about finding out what the stock length shocks are on their bike? I am interested in new shocks after only riding my Nightster for a day and the Progressives sound like what I want.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 4
From: Northern California
RE: Replacing rear shocks
ORIGINAL: rdss
How would one go about finding out what the stock length shocks are on their bike? I am interested in new shocks after only riding my Nightster for a day and the Progressives sound like what I want.
How would one go about finding out what the stock length shocks are on their bike? I am interested in new shocks after only riding my Nightster for a day and the Progressives sound like what I want.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 192
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Replacing rear shocks
What tool do you all use to adjust your shocks? I got the ~$10 one from the stealer, and it is the most worthless piece of $h!t tool I have ever thrown money away on. I'm thinking a spanner wrench from Home Depot or Sears may do the trick.
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
RE: Replacing rear shocks
wondering about harleys premium shocks if they are any good ,who make them for harley, they are really nice made with billet chrome and are adjustable by hand
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 277
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From: Franklin, TN
RE: Replacing rear shocks
ORIGINAL: chaos5
What tool do you all use to adjust your shocks? I got the ~$10 one from the stealer, and it is the most worthless piece of $h!t tool I have ever thrown money away on. I'm thinking a spanner wrench from Home Depot or Sears may do the trick.
What tool do you all use to adjust your shocks? I got the ~$10 one from the stealer, and it is the most worthless piece of $h!t tool I have ever thrown money away on. I'm thinking a spanner wrench from Home Depot or Sears may do the trick.
