Progressive fork cartridges..
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Not knocking Howard. He knows a little about suspension but you should also include Ricor in your research. They developed the IAS technology for Progressive.
Also, I wouldn't confine myself to one reseller. If possible deal straight with the manufacturer like Ohlins USA, Icon, Ricor, etc. I only say this because my experience with a reseller wasn't the greatest. Best of luck in your quest.
Boomer
Also, I wouldn't confine myself to one reseller. If possible deal straight with the manufacturer like Ohlins USA, Icon, Ricor, etc. I only say this because my experience with a reseller wasn't the greatest. Best of luck in your quest.
Boomer
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Not knocking Howard. He knows a little about suspension but you should also include Ricor in your research. They developed the IAS technology for Progressive.
Also, I wouldn't confine myself to one reseller. If possible deal straight with the manufacturer like Ohlins USA, Icon, Ricor, etc. I only say this because my experience with a reseller wasn't the greatest. Best of luck in your quest.
Boomer
Also, I wouldn't confine myself to one reseller. If possible deal straight with the manufacturer like Ohlins USA, Icon, Ricor, etc. I only say this because my experience with a reseller wasn't the greatest. Best of luck in your quest.
Boomer
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Howard is not a reseller, he builds Ohlins shocks and front forks to specifications he has developed himself. There is probably nobody else in the world with his experience of developing Harley-specific suspension systems. Off-the-shelf Ohlins are not the same build as Howard's. There are also not many HDF members who are unhappy with the service they have had from Howard, in fact I only know of one!
There is far more than just one; believe me.
So how are yours working out for you GR?
Mine, after 2 months of going back and forth across the country are doing pretty good. I don't even need to adjust them to carry a passenger and they are set on the lowest setting. Good thing they are ok 'cause I don't have any wiggle room with them. The first set were so stiff I thought I was riding a rigid again.
I still don't understand why you feel you need to be a cheerleader for someone. Rah rah rah. When you do this it only makes me want to tell my story even more so the folks can get both sides.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Mine, after 2 months of going back and forth across the country are doing pretty good. I don't even need to adjust them to carry a passenger and they are set on the lowest setting. Good thing they are ok 'cause I don't have any wiggle room with them. The first set were so stiff I thought I was riding a rigid again.
Didn't know Ohlins were offered for Harleys when I went with Ikons for my WG. The Ikons are good stuff. 4 position rebound and 3 position preload, and I have to adjust them stiffer when I put the wife on the back. Usually click up one more notch of rebound and one more preload.
Put on about 25 lbs over the past year and a half
, and even that made me go up a notch of preload when riding single. I've ordered the next size up of springs, and will go slightly heavier on the oil. Keeping the old springs for WHEN, not if, I lose the weight.Spent lots of years dialing in mountain bike suspension. For optimum suspension the sag, rebound, compression, (and air pressure, stiction, tube surfaces, bushing material, ) etc has to be set right or you just won't be getting the best ride for comfort AND control. So many variables it can be tinkerer heaven! Once you hit the magic combination though....
Now I'm looking for fork innards that have the same possiblities. The Progressives might be it, if the adjustments for the variables are possible.
FastHarley's site has some interesting options. I haven't found another site with the info as detailed as what Howard has. Lots of work and knowledge on there, offered for free as far as I can tell.
I'm just glad there are some superb wrenches on HDF that sure their knowledge with us tinkerers (borderline OCD
)
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From:
I've installed a set of monotubes
I have a 2010 FLHX and recently installed a set of Progressive monotube fork cartridges. I noticed immediate improvement in handling and less nose dive. They are not as stiff as I was expecting them to be and I've bottem'd them out on two occasions hitting moderate bumps. They do have a nice ride, not to stiff, not to soft. They did lower my front end and although I didn't measure it before installing them I would say it's at least an inch lower. I need to measure a stock bike and see. Fairly easy installation job. My overall impression so far is good. I'm not crazy about the lowered ride height because I really wasn't expecting that and I like suspension travel. I need to get on the road for a long distance ride and do some more evaluation. It's just been too cold for that lately but warm weather is on the horizon. WHOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
05 electra glide installed last week along with progressive touring link. bike handles 100% better no more mushy front end and the bike corners noticeable better also did not feel any high speed wobble at all rode about 150 miles on sat.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Between the Ohlins rear shocks, the Ricor Intiminators in the front shocks, the Progressive Touring link for the wobbly butt on the pre-09's, and the Dunlop E3's I'm in heaven on my old 99 FLHT Electra Glide.
I'd put it up against any new Harley and some other big twin heavy weights for handling and comfort. It's solid but soft. It rides like it's on rails. Bumps and pot holes are not transferred up through my arms or through my butt on up through my spine with this set up. The E3's are the true icing on the cake IMHO. Grooves in the road disappear as I go over them. They are truly an amazing tire. And they are made in the USA.
The Ricor Intiminators have made a huge difference to my old and ragged shoulders that have been abused by years of working physically hard. The bumps are just absorbed. I brace for them because that's what I'm conditioned to do but the jarring never makes it past the front end.
The Ohlins are equally good and I appreciate their ability to soak up even the harshest bumps and pot holes without bottoming out. Good shocks and I recommend them highly.
Howard at Motorcyclemetal.com is good at setting them up. Be sure all weights and measures are understood before ordering as there is no money back guarantee like some other manufactures. Just a heads up. Once they are set right they are excellent shocks and they are rebuildable for life.
I'd put it up against any new Harley and some other big twin heavy weights for handling and comfort. It's solid but soft. It rides like it's on rails. Bumps and pot holes are not transferred up through my arms or through my butt on up through my spine with this set up. The E3's are the true icing on the cake IMHO. Grooves in the road disappear as I go over them. They are truly an amazing tire. And they are made in the USA.
The Ricor Intiminators have made a huge difference to my old and ragged shoulders that have been abused by years of working physically hard. The bumps are just absorbed. I brace for them because that's what I'm conditioned to do but the jarring never makes it past the front end.
The Ohlins are equally good and I appreciate their ability to soak up even the harshest bumps and pot holes without bottoming out. Good shocks and I recommend them highly.
Howard at Motorcyclemetal.com is good at setting them up. Be sure all weights and measures are understood before ordering as there is no money back guarantee like some other manufactures. Just a heads up. Once they are set right they are excellent shocks and they are rebuildable for life.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
I installed the Mono kit on my 07 SEUC, I noticed the front end being lower as well, at first I wondered if it was just me. The bike does ride and handle better but I wish the front end was the original height. Progressive should have told everyone there system would lower the front end, other than that, it works great.
Scott
Scott