This is just in case another CVO FXR owner ever needs to replace their shocks.
I have a 1999 FXR2. The stock shocks are Fox brand, HD part number 54578-94. These are obsolete from HD and no longer available from any dealer--I've checked.
The FXR3 uses the same shocks and the FXR4 used a Fox shock (I believe the same mechanically as the FXR2 and 3 shocks) but with chrome upper and lower spring caps. The FXR4 part number is 54638-99. (There's only one single FXR4 shock left at a HD dealer, Conrad's, in Illinois).
Mine have about 21K miles on them and seemed to be losing their damping ability, so I looked for replacements. I really wanted more Fox shocks just for the CVO-issue factor but ideally, I wanted the Fox shocks to have chrome spring caps top and bottom since the stock ones were polished aluminum. So I kept searching.
I found that HD part number 54728-01, a lowering suspension kit for Sportsters, contained two Fox shocks with chrome spring caps. The shocks measure 12 1/2" between eye centers. My originals were 12". The only apparent difference is the coil spring--the originals used a spring with fewer coils of a larger member diameter, the Sportster kit uses more coils of a smaller member diameter. Also, the eye bushings in the Sportster kit were thicker (wider between the mounts).
These kits (54728-01) are obsolete from HD but widely available from dealers. However, they are also found on ebay routinely for way less than the $449 HD MSRP. I bought mine brand new in the box for $111 total.
The bushings are easily swapped from the originals to the new.
The ride is much improved. The Sportster kit shocks are stiffer, I suspect the springs, so I had to loosen up the pre-load considerably as compard to the setting I used on the originals, but damping is far better. Resultant ride quality is very good. Not plush, mind you, but I want the bike to handle.
The extra 1/2" in length is mostly moot due to the angle involved. The extra length is greatly reduced to the point of negligibility.
Just thought I'd throw this out as another alternative for FXR shocks--especially CVO FXR's which all used Fox shocks from the factory. This is a way to keep the stock CVO cosmetics with a new replacement.