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[Fred Zeppelin]

Hello group. Newbie here. I just recently bought this 09 CVO Ultra, and did not know until I got home with it that the suspension had been altered. The bike has Progressive 440-4061 rear shocks, and appears to sit really low in the rear, as can be seen in my sig pic. I am not sure if anything has been done to the front forks or not.
My issue is that I am bottoming out very easily, even on small bumps or dips in the road. I am a big guy (6'3" and about 280), but still believe an Ultra Classic should be able to handle my weight. I am so disappointed in the suspension of this bike. My wife is unable to ride as a passenger until something is done to give the suspension more travel and a softer ride. After I complained to the dealer about this,  dealer says they pulled the service records and that they did not do any mods to the suspension, and did not offer to help correct the issue. ( Besides that, they are about 5 hours away). any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Fred

[Jswerve]

Haha. Dealer didn't know speech. So they are admitting they never inspected the bike?

[Dan_Lockwood]

Fred, are the rear shocks 12" or 13"?

I believe stock shocks on your bike were 13".

I have 440 HD spring shocks on my SERG and even though they're one inch taller than my stock shocks, they were an improvement over the stock air shocks.  Probably why yours were changed out.

It took many adjustments to get mine to a point that I wasn't hammering over bumps.  But now it's better.  I'm still looking for a better shock without breaking my bank account.

If yours are 12", that could be the main problem.  But as others will probably tell you, Progressive 440's are not a big improvement over the stock air shocks from Harley.  I did mine because one of the members here had a great deal on them and they are slightly better in the ride department.

Good luck with your new purchase.

[Trapperdog]

I believe the 4061 was a 12" for the FLHX. That number sounds familiar when we were shopping for shocks for ours. If they are 12" standards, that could be problematic for your size. The heavy duty 12" might have been ok

[grc]

Unfortunately this is what happens when people try to lower bikes, either to "look cool" or to get their feet flat on the ground.

I'd suggest you research standard length (13 inch eye to eye) replacement shocks, most likely with the HD spring option if you're looking at Progressive.  There are much better choices out there, but the prices can escalate quickly. 

Jerry

In the meantime you could try adjusting the preload on the springs.  If you don't have the instructions, I've attached the ones for the 444 shocks, which replaced the 440's.

[VaEagle]

You may want to read this thread.....

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=76154.0

I am a heavy rider as well and still like my Suspension Technologies shocks with the fact that they are built for your weigh and riding style.

[rheiner]

Your bike's OEM rear shock is 13 inches. I have tried many different models of rear shocks. If you want to save yourself a lot of aggravation and trouble, contact Traxxion Dynamics and buy a set of Ohlins HD 159 shocks. They are about $800. Tell them your weight because the spring that comes with these shocks is not the best one for you. It's a 200 mm, 25 NM linear spring. I think you need a 220 mm, 25 NM linear spring in order to get the correct preload; specifically the Ohlins 00180-79/25 L3310 spring. There should be no extra charge to put the correct spring on the shocks. These shocks have a 3 inch travel and you want about 1 inch of rider sag. Given your size I have little doubt the 220 mm spring will work well for you with these shocks if the preload and rebound damping are set up correctly. I am very picky about my suspension. I run the Traxxion AK-20s in my front forks and with the Ohlins in the rear it's a real joy to ride.

[bluey]

Hello group. Newbie here. I just recently bought this 09 CVO Ultra, and did not know until I got home with it that the suspension had been altered. The bike has Progressive 440-4061 rear shocks, and appears to sit really low in the rear, as can be seen in my sig pic. I am not sure if anything has been done to the front forks or not.
My issue is that I am bottoming out very easily, even on small bumps or dips in the road. I am a big guy (6'3" and about 280), but still believe an Ultra Classic should be able to handle my weight. I am so disappointed in the suspension of this bike. My wife is unable to ride as a passenger until something is done to give the suspension more travel and a softer ride. After I complained to the dealer about this,  dealer says they pulled the service records and that they did not do any mods to the suspension, and did not offer to help correct the issue. ( Besides that, they are about 5 hours away). any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Fred

Hi Fred, 
I'm in Australia and have Fournales shocks on the back. There is no mechanical spring they are air spring with a mechanical top out spring and oil damping. You pump them to cope with any load.
They handle much better than other air suspension I have used because of the oil damping and mechanical top out spring. I mostly ride one up but the misses comes with me at times and then I tow a heavy camper trailer as well.
Fournales suspension is expensive but you get what you pay for. We have krap roads here in Nth. Queensland and these never bottom out. I get 3" of travel roughly the same as stock ultra suspension. Mine have done 55,000kls and when I asked the local agent when I should have them rebuilt he said "don't ring me until I have at least 150,000kls. He was reconditioning a set of Fournales at the time that had 600,000 kls on them.

I run 155 to 160lbs air pressure two up and loaded with the trailer. They have never bottomed out. I have been told air cannot compress to where it can bottom out. We have shocking roads here in Nth. Qld.

I believe the units for the ultras are $800 in USA $'s US. Here in Australia they are $1400 AUDollars. I still believe they are well worth it.

BTW I have Ricor Inertia activated valves and 5w fork oil in the front. My 2007 was a bit of a pig handling and ride wise until doing the front valves, Fournales rear and Glide Pro system of engine mount and Isolaters.

[popsracing]

The problem with fixed spring weights on these touring bikes is the cargo weight can change drastically depending on what your ride plans are for that particular day....Full pack with bsr is alot different than no pack riding solo...My question would be what is the best choice for an "adjustable" rear shock ??

[bluey]

The problem with fixed spring weights on these touring bikes is the weight can change drastically depending on what your ride plans are for that particular day....Full pack with bsr is alot different than no pack riding solo...My question would be what is the best choice for an "adjustable" rear shock ??

IMHO Fournales if you can afford them!

[Fred Zeppelin]

Thanks to all for the info and feedback. Spending $800 or more for new shocks is out of the question. I am going to try adjusting the settings on the shocks that came on the bike. Another thought I had was to find someone wanting to lower their bike and work up some kind of trade for either OEM Air Shocks or taller shocks that will "un-lower" my bike and give it more travel to soak up the bumps.
Thanks again and ride safe brothers.
Freddy Z.

[Gnarl78]

My suggestion is to check e-bay and the various Harley forums to see if you can find a good used set at a reasonable price. Sure beats what you have going for you right now!