Progressive monotube issues
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 579
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From: ohio
Progressive monotube issues
I just installed the monotube lowering kit. I just wanted it to compensate for the 21" front wheel, or i would have done standard height.
Now previously i had the hd 1" lowering kit in the forks.
With the mobotubes its sits provably a half inch lower than the hd 1" kit.
I installed the monotubes per the instructions for the 1" lowering, also i used the reccomended 3 c clip spacers.
Anyone else have this issue, am i crazy? The bike sits perfectly level now with the ohlins 12 and 1/8 shocks. It seems a little to low in the front to be just a 1" drop.
Now previously i had the hd 1" lowering kit in the forks.
With the mobotubes its sits provably a half inch lower than the hd 1" kit.
I installed the monotubes per the instructions for the 1" lowering, also i used the reccomended 3 c clip spacers.
Anyone else have this issue, am i crazy? The bike sits perfectly level now with the ohlins 12 and 1/8 shocks. It seems a little to low in the front to be just a 1" drop.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
I don't know about height but I ran the monotube lowering kit on my last bike , the suspension was way to harsh with 3 c clips , I took it apart and went with 2 c clips and it was perfect , good luck
Novice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: michigan
i have a 2010 flhtk limited, i installed the progressive monotubes in my forks they have the ability to be installed 1 or 2inch drop, i installed for the 1 inch drop long spring and 3 clips, i measured my forks stock on bike before the change and after the change it lowered my front end 2 inches also at the same time i lowered the rear with harley premium low shocks i was not happy with the results, contacted progressive i bought these back in jan 2011, they said i could send them back on my dime, an they would look at them, they suggested i needed to add more spacer in the front that would raise it more, they sent me 4 spacers in the mail to add 2 more to each side, im not going to do it. now im reading posts on here that say progressive had issues with there monotubes that were purchased over 2 months ago, now im wondering if i should send them back, not happy with them at all customer service.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
i have a 2010 flhtk limited, i installed the progressive monotubes in my forks they have the ability to be installed 1 or 2inch drop, i installed for the 1 inch drop long spring and 3 clips, i measured my forks stock on bike before the change and after the change it lowered my front end 2 inches also at the same time i lowered the rear with harley premium low shocks i was not happy with the results, contacted progressive i bought these back in jan 2011, they said i could send them back on my dime, an they would look at them, they suggested i needed to add more spacer in the front that would raise it more, they sent me 4 spacers in the mail to add 2 more to each side, im not going to do it. now im reading posts on here that say progressive had issues with there monotubes that were purchased over 2 months ago, now im wondering if i should send them back, not happy with them at all customer service.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: michigan
I found a number of complaints on various blogs regarding Progressive monotube seal failures. I contacted Progressive and they assured me the situation has been resolved with improved parts. They also indicated extensive bench testing replicating a million compressions without failure. I can't recall the start up date for the new model, but I believe they told me the product was shut down for about six months while they worked on a fix.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 579
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From: ohio
i have a 2010 flhtk limited, i installed the progressive monotubes in my forks they have the ability to be installed 1 or 2inch drop, i installed for the 1 inch drop long spring and 3 clips, i measured my forks stock on bike before the change and after the change it lowered my front end 2 inches also at the same time i lowered the rear with harley premium low shocks i was not happy with the results, contacted progressive i bought these back in jan 2011, they said i could send them back on my dime, an they would look at them, they suggested i needed to add more spacer in the front that would raise it more, they sent me 4 spacers in the mail to add 2 more to each side, im not going to do it. now im reading posts on here that say progressive had issues with there monotubes that were purchased over 2 months ago, now im wondering if i should send them back, not happy with them at all customer service.
i think im gonna have to pull these things out and go back to the HD 1" kit and install the fork emulators instead of running these mono tubes.
and im pissed cause i waited a month for these things.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Eh? I ruin it, what? Aren't these forms a place so exchange ideas, good or bad? Doesn't mean anything without fact checking first and no, I don't work for Progressive, never heard of them prior to buying a Harley earlier this year. I know Ohlins though, had them on my last 5 Ducatis. Anyway, this all got started when i was simply doing some research on fork and shock upgrades for my 03 RK. I went to the appropriate boards on various websites with the specific intent of learning more about suspension systems in general and more specifically get an idea on which product people preferred. That is when I stumbled onto several posts where riders who bought Progressive Monotubes complained of them failing, usually with the sound of "clunking" as the first sign. I saw no resolution at the time. The part failure is one thing, then you have to deal with fixing it, remove the part, ship it back, wait for something to happen, bla, bla, bla. In other words its a PITA, especially when your talking about a new part, not something with a bunch of miles on it.
Since Progressive was a popular product and on my list as a possible upgrade I decided to take it upon myself and call them regarding the alleged problems above. Why would I not call them? Why would I go through with purchasing the monotubes after hearing about the failures? As I recall some of the owners had issues with customer service as well, but thats another subject. My take on that is perhaps they responded like many other manufacturers have when there is evidence a product they manufacture is failing, they circle the wagons and go into defensive mode. That is exactly what Ducati did with the infamous rocker arm flaking fiasco of 96-01 Desmoquattro superbikes. A real negative mark in an otherwise brilliant history. However, the jig is up and you better come clean when the complaints keep pouring in.
My call to Progressive came at the right time, the person I contacted owned up to the fact the monotube product in question indeed had problems. They determined it was a failed seal so they shut down production until they were confident of a fix, this took approx six months. He did mention a certain start up date for the revamped product, but I can't recall it at this time. Maybe you ought to call them and find out, because I'm done doing favors for people that don't appreciate them. I'm only kidding, the majority of folks around here, including myself log onto this website to gather all kinds of information, its up to the individual to make the final determination on whats real and whats not. I'd much rather have a bunch of information over getting blindsided.
I hope this satisfies your suspicions as to my intent. Actually, after talking with Progressive and doing further research, for my needs one or more of their products might be on my bike in the near future. Stuff happens, but if I'm confident the problem no longer exists, its time to move forward.
Since Progressive was a popular product and on my list as a possible upgrade I decided to take it upon myself and call them regarding the alleged problems above. Why would I not call them? Why would I go through with purchasing the monotubes after hearing about the failures? As I recall some of the owners had issues with customer service as well, but thats another subject. My take on that is perhaps they responded like many other manufacturers have when there is evidence a product they manufacture is failing, they circle the wagons and go into defensive mode. That is exactly what Ducati did with the infamous rocker arm flaking fiasco of 96-01 Desmoquattro superbikes. A real negative mark in an otherwise brilliant history. However, the jig is up and you better come clean when the complaints keep pouring in.
My call to Progressive came at the right time, the person I contacted owned up to the fact the monotube product in question indeed had problems. They determined it was a failed seal so they shut down production until they were confident of a fix, this took approx six months. He did mention a certain start up date for the revamped product, but I can't recall it at this time. Maybe you ought to call them and find out, because I'm done doing favors for people that don't appreciate them. I'm only kidding, the majority of folks around here, including myself log onto this website to gather all kinds of information, its up to the individual to make the final determination on whats real and whats not. I'd much rather have a bunch of information over getting blindsided.
I hope this satisfies your suspicions as to my intent. Actually, after talking with Progressive and doing further research, for my needs one or more of their products might be on my bike in the near future. Stuff happens, but if I'm confident the problem no longer exists, its time to move forward.
Last edited by JS999R; Aug 6, 2011 at 02:26 AM.
Novice
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: michigan
Eh? I ruin it, what? Aren't these forms a place so exchange ideas, good or bad? Doesn't mean anything without fact checking first and no, I don't work for Progressive, never heard of them prior to buying a Harley earlier this year. I know Ohlins though, had them on my last 5 Ducatis. Anyway, this all got started when i was simply doing some research on fork and shock upgrades for my 03 RK. I went to the appropriate boards on various websites with the specific intent of learning more about suspension systems in general and more specifically get an idea on which product people preferred. That is when I stumbled onto several posts where riders who bought Progressive Monotubes complained of them failing, usually with the sound of "clunking" as the first sign. I saw no resolution at the time. The part failure is one thing, then you have to deal with fixing it, remove the part, ship it back, wait for something to happen, bla, bla, bla. In other words its a PITA, especially when your talking about a new part, not something with a bunch of miles on it.
Since Progressive was a popular product and on my list as a possible upgrade I decided to take it upon myself and call them regarding the alleged problems above. Why would I not call them? Why would I go through with purchasing the monotubes after hearing about the failures? As I recall some of the owners had issues with customer service as well, but thats another subject. My take on that is perhaps they responded like many other manufacturers have when there is evidence a product they manufacture is failing, they circle the wagons and go into defensive mode. That is exactly what Ducati did with the infamous rocker arm flaking fiasco of 96-01 Desmoquattro superbikes. A real negative mark in an otherwise brilliant history. However, the jig is up and you better come clean when the complaints keep pouring in.
My call to Progressive came at the right time, the person I contacted owned up to the fact the monotube product in question indeed had problems. They determined it was a failed seal so they shut down production until they were confident of a fix, this took approx six months. He did mention a certain start up date for the revamped product, but I can't recall it at this time. Maybe you ought to call them and find out, because I'm done doing favors for people that don't appreciate them. I'm only kidding, the majority of folks around here, including myself log onto this website to gather all kinds of information, its up to the individual to make the final determination on whats real and whats not. I'd much rather have a bunch of information over getting blindsided.
I hope this satisfies your suspicions as to my intent. Actually, after talking with Progressive and doing further research, for my needs one or more of their products might be on my bike in the near future. Stuff happens, but if I'm confident the problem no longer exists, its time to move forward.
Since Progressive was a popular product and on my list as a possible upgrade I decided to take it upon myself and call them regarding the alleged problems above. Why would I not call them? Why would I go through with purchasing the monotubes after hearing about the failures? As I recall some of the owners had issues with customer service as well, but thats another subject. My take on that is perhaps they responded like many other manufacturers have when there is evidence a product they manufacture is failing, they circle the wagons and go into defensive mode. That is exactly what Ducati did with the infamous rocker arm flaking fiasco of 96-01 Desmoquattro superbikes. A real negative mark in an otherwise brilliant history. However, the jig is up and you better come clean when the complaints keep pouring in.
My call to Progressive came at the right time, the person I contacted owned up to the fact the monotube product in question indeed had problems. They determined it was a failed seal so they shut down production until they were confident of a fix, this took approx six months. He did mention a certain start up date for the revamped product, but I can't recall it at this time. Maybe you ought to call them and find out, because I'm done doing favors for people that don't appreciate them. I'm only kidding, the majority of folks around here, including myself log onto this website to gather all kinds of information, its up to the individual to make the final determination on whats real and whats not. I'd much rather have a bunch of information over getting blindsided.
I hope this satisfies your suspicions as to my intent. Actually, after talking with Progressive and doing further research, for my needs one or more of their products might be on my bike in the near future. Stuff happens, but if I'm confident the problem no longer exists, its time to move forward.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
Like my previous post said I installed them on my last bike and they worked fine I never had a problem , I am considering them on my new bike so I called them after reading of a few complaints , they told me for the last 60 days they have been shipping out newer versions so if you bought them in the last 2 months you have the new one
If you read my post from earlier, i already called them !!!! kinda funny i purchased there product called to complain about the 2inch drop. they tell me send back on my DIME, or here are more spacers that will raise the front up more but also stiffin the ride even more no thanks. i may send them back now, or sell them. at no time did the company explain to me that there was a problem in the past, but for someone who hasnt bought there product yet, they seem to have all kinds of info for. good luck to you after you purchase there product.