Hey a real big thanks to everybody! You provided me with a lot of great info and ideas, let me digest it all for a bit, make some changes, and report back.

The guys at Race Tech make a good case for not using progressive springs, but the folks at progressive make a good case FOR them. Imagine that! I'm the kind of guy who is going to have to try both, I just know that up front.

Any recs for replacement rear shocks? I can't raise that bike more than about an inch, I'm all of 5'5", 140 lbs with a 28" inseam. My bike thinks it rides itself.

 

Just installed, on my 2010 883L, the 13" progressive 412 series shocks. You can get them in 11's, 12's 13's and 13&1/2 " lengths. They are a basic pre-load only adjustable shock but seems to work well on the Sportster and look good. I also went with the Progressive fork springs. They are longer than the stock springs and reduce the sag a bit and even with the limited travel help the ride over rough roads. Money well spent. I'm tall so ride height was not a factor, but the 12" shock length and fork springs should still be OK for you.

Art

 

The longer the back shock, the better the ride quality.
They come in 1/2 inch jumps, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, etc.
Go as long as you can, and you can always go soft and let them sag a bit, so maybe try 1.5 inches longer then what you have and let them sag a little.

I got the 412 heavy duty, I weigh 200 pounds, and solo the softest position works great, for really sporty action, I could go one up.
For 2 up, they go all the way up, which might be on the stiff side but prevents bottoming out on big dips and bumps.

I like the progressive fork springs, I cant see anything wrong with them, plus they are shorter then the stock springs which allows for easy adjustment of the preload.
I suppose you can preload the stock springs some, and changing the oil to 15 weight helps a LOT.

The progressive 412 shocks are much bigger then the stock shocks, and look very good on the bike, a big beefy shock on a big beefy bike.

Brett

Brett

 

I was seeking better ride quality and did similar to Brett, I used 13.5" Progressive 440 standards, Progressive fork springs with 3" spacers and 7w BelRay fork oil. I hit on a perfect ride and handling combination.