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Custom Vehicle Discussions => Screamin' EagleĀ® Electra GlideĀ® => Topic started by: 05yellowse on March 02, 2006, 11:46:28 AM

Title: Progressive susupension
Post by: 05yellowse on March 02, 2006, 11:46:28 AM
What is the best replacement shock? What size is needed, the bumps going across bridges is killing my back. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: Fired00d on March 02, 2006, 12:02:20 PM
Check out this thread: Progressive 440s Preference (http://flhrsei.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1110381604/0)

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: Boatman on March 02, 2006, 12:05:24 PM
Some people say Progressive 440's is the best mod they have made and others can't really see a difference for the $400 spent.
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: Fired00d on March 02, 2006, 12:10:17 PM
Quote
.....How much air are you running?
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: JCZ on March 02, 2006, 12:50:31 PM
Quote

That is a good point. I weigh in at about 260# and run mines at 40-45# and found the ride is a lot better. In the '04 manual it is incorrect in the amount of air pressure you can run in these shocks. I believe you can go as far as 50# in them. You may want to check/add more air to see if that helps before getting more shocks.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]


Fired is correct......the MoCo confirmed that we can go up to 50 lbs. of air in the SEEG shocks.  I ran mine at 35 lbs.  I now have the Progressive 440 Heavy Duty.  However, I'm one of those that think the ride was better with the air shocks.  The Progressive is a much firmer ride and when you hit a bump it's not cush at all but very rigid.  

If the bump is up it's O.K.  but if you hit a dip or ditch or lower asphalt edge, then the shocks extend out to the end and theres an ugly heavy "clunk" that's just not right in my opnion.  If I had it to do all over again, I'd not waste the money.

There are others on here that feel just the opposite and I just don't understand that but to each there own.  Of course, I always say "whatever works for you". [smiley=nixweiss.gif]
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: SPIDERMAN on March 02, 2006, 01:15:05 PM
Going with what JCZ said, I love the handling characteristics of my 440's, but am growing tired of the "CLUNK"  I am having a debate with myself on going back to the stock lowered H-D air shocks. I may put the air shocks on for coast to coast rides and put the 440's on the rest of the time.

Big B
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: 110tHunDer on March 02, 2006, 01:20:14 PM
I have my 12" Heavy Duty 440's preload set on the light side (1 1/2 turns from full counter-clockwise rotation).  This has greatly reduced the "clunk" from what I was getting at 4-5 turns.  I wonder if the stiffer heavy duty springs are the cause of the clunk.  Do the standard 440's clunk????
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: grc on March 02, 2006, 01:20:45 PM
Not only was the maximum pressure wrong in the manual, but the recommended air pressures for various weight riders is way too low also.  For instance, for someone 160 lbs. or less I believe the manual said to use 0 - 5 psi (same thing my dealership told me when I picked my bike up).  In reality, you need about 15 psi at 160 lbs to keep the bike from bottoming constantly.  Try adding about 10 psi to the pressure recommended for your weight and see how that feels.

Jerry
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: the O`Fender on March 02, 2006, 01:27:59 PM
I have personnally used progressive suspension 412's, 418's and 440's (not all on my SEEG) and would say that I their was no noticable difference from one model to another. I bought 12" 412's for my SEEG for $175 new. I weight 250lb. and bought regular duty springs because I have owned 412's with heavy duty springs and they were a too stiff, now mind you I ride 90% solo. Save yourself $200 go for the 412's. hope that helps!!! [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: Twolanerider on March 02, 2006, 01:29:03 PM
Quote
I have my 12" Heavy Duty 440's preload set on the light side (1 1/2 turns from full counter-clockwise rotation).
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: hdnut on March 02, 2006, 06:34:50 PM
I run the 12 inch hd,no clunk.I think they are great!Best $400.00 I have spent on the bike yet! [smiley=pumpkin.gif] [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: SPIDERMAN on March 02, 2006, 08:07:26 PM
 2 1/4 turns from all the way up or all the way down ?  [smiley=nixweiss.gif]
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: BLM777 on March 02, 2006, 09:36:19 PM
Quote

The red bike runs the 12.5" HD set at about 2 1/4 turns.
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: hdnut on March 02, 2006, 09:47:28 PM
I am 1.5 to 2 turns from the softest setting. [smiley=pumpkin.gif] [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: JR on March 02, 2006, 10:08:47 PM
Quote
I have my 12" Heavy Duty 440's preload set on the light side (1 1/2 turns from full counter-clockwise rotation).
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: skyglide on March 02, 2006, 10:45:25 PM
I run the 12" 440 standard with no no clunks. 4.5 turns and Best money I spent to date on the bike.Awsome ride compared to stock air hd shocks.
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: 110tHunDer on March 02, 2006, 10:54:38 PM
Quote

Brian, I have the Standard 12 1/2" 440's and I'm 6' and 185lbs. I experienced the same results. Normally when riding solo I have it around 4-5 turns in from full counterclockwise rotation and when 2 up I go 6-7 turns in. If I don't put back to 4-5 I notice a clunk on certain bumps. Not often enough to worry about or I just got use to it. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

                                                                        
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: grc on March 03, 2006, 09:25:28 AM
I believe the "clunking" you all are hearing is the shock "topping out".
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: 05yellowse on March 03, 2006, 09:41:39 AM
Thanks for all the input,my HD dealer told me to run the shocks at around 18 psi. I moved it back up to 30 psi and it was an improvement. I will up it to 40 psi and see what it does and leave well enough alone. I weigh 300 lbs and I reckon I'm going to get a bit of a jolt,it just seems like the tire crashes into the rim when going from one type of pavement to another. I am running air pressure at 30 front and 32 rear.
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: BLM777 on March 03, 2006, 09:50:09 AM
Quote
Thanks for all the input,my HD dealer told me to run the shocks at around 18 psi. I moved it back up to 30 psi and it was an improvement. I will up it to 40 psi and see what it does and leave well enough alone. I weigh 300 lbs and I reckon I'm going to get a bit of a jolt,it just seems like the tire crashes into the rim when going from one type of pavement to another. I am running air pressure at 30 front and 32 rear.

I think you identified your problem.  Your tire pressures are way low for the weight you're carrying on the bike.  My suggestion would be to try 36 front and 38 rear.  I suspect the "crashing" feeling will disappear.  I would also be going to 45-48 on the shocks or using the 440's with about 5 turns up.
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: WaSEEG on March 03, 2006, 09:55:00 AM
Quote
Thanks for all the input,my HD dealer told me to run the shocks at around 18 psi. I moved it back up to 30 psi and it was an improvement. I will up it to 40 psi and see what it does and leave well enough alone. I weigh 300 lbs and I reckon I'm going to get a bit of a jolt,it just seems like the tire crashes into the rim when going from one type of pavement to another. I am running air pressure at 30 front and 32 rear.

I might increase the tire pressure.
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: Fired00d on March 03, 2006, 04:37:38 PM
Quote
Thanks for all the input,my HD dealer told me to run the shocks at around 18 psi. [highlight]moved it back up to 30 psi and it was an improvement. I will up it to 40 psi and see what it does and leave well enough alone.[/highlight]I
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: 05yellowse on March 04, 2006, 11:49:05 AM
I appreciate all the input, I will increase the air pressure in the tires as well as the shocks. Wish I had asked that question before I took the 8000 mile trip last summer. ;)
Title: Re: Progressive susupension
Post by: JR on March 04, 2006, 12:28:57 PM
Quote
I believe the "clunking" you all are hearing is the shock "topping out".