need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: P-town, VA
need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
This is sort of a long winded set of questions so bare with me. I've tried using the search but no luck. I'm so confused. lol.
I want to lower my 06' Roadster an inch or more as my sundowner seat sits me a little too high. I was going to go ahead and get the H-D lowering shocks as they come with the shorter jiffy stand and are reasonably priced. But now I'm thinking of maybe Progressives for a smoother ride.The H-D lower shocks say they lower the seat height an inch, so is that the max I can go without causing some sort of clearance problems? And do I need a shorter jiffy stand ? Another reason I was thinking of going with the H-D is i also want to add saddlebags later and the H-D saddlebag supports come with the grooved upper shock covers. I know there are aftermarket bag supports but i have the detachable uprights and i got a feeling the
H-D ones will work with those and the others won't. Am i wrong about that?
My stock shocks measure 13.50" i believe. I measured eye to eye while the bike rested on its stand. Do you have to jack the bike up some to relieve some of the spring compression to accurately measure?. Is it as simple as saying if i want to lower my seat height say an an inch, then i just order 12.5" shocks ?
My last question is i believe the Progressve shocks are bigger in diameter than stock, so are ther going to be belt guard clearance issues? Thers about a 1/2" clearance now. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated as my local dealer doesn't seem to have any knowledgeable staff to help me unfortunetly.
I want to lower my 06' Roadster an inch or more as my sundowner seat sits me a little too high. I was going to go ahead and get the H-D lowering shocks as they come with the shorter jiffy stand and are reasonably priced. But now I'm thinking of maybe Progressives for a smoother ride.The H-D lower shocks say they lower the seat height an inch, so is that the max I can go without causing some sort of clearance problems? And do I need a shorter jiffy stand ? Another reason I was thinking of going with the H-D is i also want to add saddlebags later and the H-D saddlebag supports come with the grooved upper shock covers. I know there are aftermarket bag supports but i have the detachable uprights and i got a feeling the
H-D ones will work with those and the others won't. Am i wrong about that?
My stock shocks measure 13.50" i believe. I measured eye to eye while the bike rested on its stand. Do you have to jack the bike up some to relieve some of the spring compression to accurately measure?. Is it as simple as saying if i want to lower my seat height say an an inch, then i just order 12.5" shocks ?
My last question is i believe the Progressve shocks are bigger in diameter than stock, so are ther going to be belt guard clearance issues? Thers about a 1/2" clearance now. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated as my local dealer doesn't seem to have any knowledgeable staff to help me unfortunetly.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
Motorcyclemetal.com/Penske shocks give far superior ride than anything else out there by far. Hang on as some members are putting them on their bikes. We allowed some people who post on this form to purchase first. Should be finished evaluation next week. Decide then, as the proof is in the actual performance. The price is double of a Works and the performance is for the discerning rider who are experienced & know how a bike should ride. This offering is not meant for everyone as per price restriction and cost of manufacturing are a limitating factor. These are lifetime shocks and building them shorter with absolutely no loss of ride quality is a standard affair, especially in a 12 1/2" shock. Today’s technology, refined at the track and offered to Harley owners who require safety in handling and a smooth ride as a byproduct. Next week should make for interesting reading.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
I wouldn't consider Harley shocks. Progressives are far superior. I've got 412s in the back and their fork springs in the front and the difference in the quality of the suspension is unbelievable.
Because of the slant of the shock position, a 1" difference in length would not be quite a 1" difference in height.
The Progressive shocks are made to fit your specific bike. I contacted them by email with questions about shock length and they responded promptly.
Because of the slant of the shock position, a 1" difference in length would not be quite a 1" difference in height.
The Progressive shocks are made to fit your specific bike. I contacted them by email with questions about shock length and they responded promptly.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From:
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
ORIGINAL: FastHarley
Motorcyclemetal.com/Penske shocks give far superior ride than anything else out there by far. Hang on as some members are putting them on their bikes. We allowed some people who post on this form to purchase first. Should be finished evaluation next week. Decide then, as the proof is in the actual performance. The price is double of a Works and the performance is for the discerning rider who are experienced & know how a bike should ride. This offering is not meant for everyone as per price restriction and cost of manufacturing are a limitating factor. These are lifetime shocks and building them shorter with absolutely no loss of ride quality is a standard affair, especially in a 12 1/2" shock. Today’s technology, refined at the track and offered to Harley owners who require safety in handling and a smooth ride as a byproduct. Next week should make for interesting reading.
Motorcyclemetal.com/Penske shocks give far superior ride than anything else out there by far. Hang on as some members are putting them on their bikes. We allowed some people who post on this form to purchase first. Should be finished evaluation next week. Decide then, as the proof is in the actual performance. The price is double of a Works and the performance is for the discerning rider who are experienced & know how a bike should ride. This offering is not meant for everyone as per price restriction and cost of manufacturing are a limitating factor. These are lifetime shocks and building them shorter with absolutely no loss of ride quality is a standard affair, especially in a 12 1/2" shock. Today’s technology, refined at the track and offered to Harley owners who require safety in handling and a smooth ride as a byproduct. Next week should make for interesting reading.
I am really interested on this.I will be watching and waiting.
I have the "WORKS" now but not happy,i thought of trying 440 but i dont know
cause they say that the"WORKS"much better than 440 so now am looking for "PENSKE" Do you offer FORUM DISCOUNT??
THANKS
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
ORIGINAL: 03WG
I am really interested on this.I will be watching and waiting.
I have the "WORKS" now but not happy,i thought of trying 440 but i dont know
cause they say that the"WORKS"much better than 440 so now am looking for "PENSKE" Do you offer FORUM DISCOUNT??
THANKS
ORIGINAL: FastHarley
Motorcyclemetal.com/Penske shocks give far superior ride than anything else out there by far. Hang on as some members are putting them on their bikes. We allowed some people who post on this form to purchase first. Should be finished evaluation next week. Decide then, as the proof is in the actual performance. The price is double of a Works and the performance is for the discerning rider who are experienced & know how a bike should ride. This offering is not meant for everyone as per price restriction and cost of manufacturing are a limitating factor. These are lifetime shocks and building them shorter with absolutely no loss of ride quality is a standard affair, especially in a 12 1/2" shock. Today’s technology, refined at the track and offered to Harley owners who require safety in handling and a smooth ride as a byproduct. Next week should make for interesting reading.
Motorcyclemetal.com/Penske shocks give far superior ride than anything else out there by far. Hang on as some members are putting them on their bikes. We allowed some people who post on this form to purchase first. Should be finished evaluation next week. Decide then, as the proof is in the actual performance. The price is double of a Works and the performance is for the discerning rider who are experienced & know how a bike should ride. This offering is not meant for everyone as per price restriction and cost of manufacturing are a limitating factor. These are lifetime shocks and building them shorter with absolutely no loss of ride quality is a standard affair, especially in a 12 1/2" shock. Today’s technology, refined at the track and offered to Harley owners who require safety in handling and a smooth ride as a byproduct. Next week should make for interesting reading.
I am really interested on this.I will be watching and waiting.
I have the "WORKS" now but not happy,i thought of trying 440 but i dont know
cause they say that the"WORKS"much better than 440 so now am looking for "PENSKE" Do you offer FORUM DISCOUNT??
THANKS
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
I am currrently running the Penske shocks for Howard on my streetglide. They are 11 1/2" eye to eye and once I dialed them in the ride is far superior to anything I have tried. I had the progressive 440's , total crap. I then tried the Work's Preformance Street Tracker's significantly better than the progressives, but still wanted something better. I called Howard, and well it has been a great experience. I had to be patient, only because this was a first time setup for this bike. I fine tuned it this weekend and the ride is awesome. I still have a little more experimenting to do. I am even considering lowering them 1/2" more. The bike doesn't bottom out. Great ride, very pleased. Will keep you informed.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
As said above, because the shocks are mounted at an angle, the drop in the bike height will be less than the reduction of the shock length. Without doing the trig, if you go to a 12" shock, your ride height will be lowered just about 1.2" measured at the rear axle.
As to the type of shocks, a Sportster was never designed or intended to ride like a larger touring bike. While $400 air shocks may be great on a bagger, I think they are expensive overkill on the Sporty. I would recommend a set of Progressive 412's. I'm very happy with the ride improvement over the factory shocks.
To see if you will need a shorter kickstand, pick up a couple pieces of scrap lumber and stack them together to make a pad about 1.25" thick and place it under your existing jiffy stand. That will tell you how the bike will sit (lean) after the shocks are lowered if you stay with the stock jiffy. Using plywood scraps of various thickness is probably the best way to come up with the desired 1.25" thickness.
The progressive shocks come with spacers that are used to shim between the shocks and the swingarm. These will keep the shock from hitting the belt guard.
To mount the shocks, a jack is nice but not necessary. If you don't have a jack, use the following method.
You will change the shocks one at a time. To remove the right shock, set it to the lowest preload setting and set the left shock to the highest setting. You should then be able to remove and replace the right shock. Just reverse the process for the other side..
It's a piece of cake.
As to the type of shocks, a Sportster was never designed or intended to ride like a larger touring bike. While $400 air shocks may be great on a bagger, I think they are expensive overkill on the Sporty. I would recommend a set of Progressive 412's. I'm very happy with the ride improvement over the factory shocks.
To see if you will need a shorter kickstand, pick up a couple pieces of scrap lumber and stack them together to make a pad about 1.25" thick and place it under your existing jiffy stand. That will tell you how the bike will sit (lean) after the shocks are lowered if you stay with the stock jiffy. Using plywood scraps of various thickness is probably the best way to come up with the desired 1.25" thickness.
The progressive shocks come with spacers that are used to shim between the shocks and the swingarm. These will keep the shock from hitting the belt guard.
To mount the shocks, a jack is nice but not necessary. If you don't have a jack, use the following method.
You will change the shocks one at a time. To remove the right shock, set it to the lowest preload setting and set the left shock to the highest setting. You should then be able to remove and replace the right shock. Just reverse the process for the other side..
It's a piece of cake.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver, B.C.
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
I am currrently running the Penske shocks for Howard on my streetglide. They are 11 1/2" eye to eye and once I dialed them in the ride is far superior to anything I have tried. I had the progressive 440's , total crap. I then tried the Work's Preformance Street Tracker's significantly better than the progressives, but still wanted something better. I called Howard, and well it has been a great experience. I had to be patient, only because this was a first time setup for this bike. I fine tuned it this weekend and the ride is awesome. I still have a little more experimenting to do. I am even considering lowering them 1/2" more. The bike doesn't bottom out. Great ride, very pleased. Will keep you informed.
CN
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
RE: need help with shocks, h-d or progressive
Just finished by complete evaluation of the Penske shocks on my streetglide. They are fantastic. None of the other shocks even comes close. Don't need to adjust for 2 up riding at all, smooth as glass. I am very happy with the ride and the way the bike handles. You have total control over the valving of the shock and can adjust rebound and ride. These are the best shocks on the market for the money. They are worth every dollar I paid for them.
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