what a shocks,, just bought the road king ones and lowering kit
48 suspension
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Can someone else chime in and help out? AM I missing something here? Aren't the 48 forks the same as the nightster, with the exception of them being wide and not narrow?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland, OH
I would think the actual forks should be the same, just set wider to accommodate the wider tire. Is it possible that the 48 was released after the fitment guide was made? I found my forks to be way too soft, especially on big bumps. The suspension seems a bit mismatched, with the rear being so stiff, even on the lowest setting. I had my dealer dump the fluid and put the Screamin' Eagle fluid in. Stiffened it right up. I will say it seems a little too stiff on small bumps, but it handles the Cleveland road craters much better.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: fallbrook, socal
i could be wrong but somewhere i got the impression the 48 was gonna run 49mm tubes with a new triple tree - that might be why progressive and others dont have springs yet, although I would think if Im right about the 49mm, then maybe dyna springs would work??
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 748
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
There's another very recent post here in the Sportster Forum about Progressive Shocks. I run 12" 412 rear and front springs on my Iron and it is so much better than stock--well worth the $ for me. I was thinking the 48 front shocks are both wider and larger in diameter which presented a problem with taking the triple tree from a 48 and directly mounting it onto an Iron. I would contact Progressive directly for an answer from them, I'm sure they are working on it as HD shocks are below average at best.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
im pretty sure the 48 is sporting bigger fork tubes. and its braced. i'm thinking they're cut-down units from one of the water-cooled bikes.