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[SOCAL296]

Hey guys today I installed a set of new 440 shocks on my 15 limited. Instructions really suck. According to Progressive they are the HD Springs. After install I cranked them down 6 turns and have 2 lines showing. I took it for a test ride and it almost felt like my Dually with no load on it. A bit disappointing.
Am I too stiff or too soft?
I am 240 and when I sit on the bike it drops down about 1/2 inch
Anyone with input would be appreciated

[efrbc1]

For what it's worth, I have them on my '05 SEEG.  I'm about 225 and I run them at 3 1/2 to 4 turns.  Fine for me at that setting.  I also have the HD springs.

Chris

[SneakyPete]

Your shocks are set with too much preload.  When I had progressives I set them on the first ring for solo riding.  I believe your preload sag should be 3/4" -1 1/4" assuming you have 12" shocks.

[SOCAL296]

first off sorry for posting this in the wrong section. These are 13 inch shocks. I nutted up and decided to keep testing. I backed them off 4 turns. So now they are at 2 turns from minimum.
I bought them from a buddy New in the box. He bought them 3 years ago and just never put them on his RoadGlide Ultra. At 2 turns the notch the first notch is not showing. But the ride felt much better. I hit a pretty good dip and at this adjustment it felt like I hit the bottom out on the shock so I will likely crank it up 1 turn. At 6 turns it almost made my teeth chatter on the freeway.
I don't know what it is but it even feels better sitting on the bike

[Ghost__Rider]

I have 444 progressive HD on my 2014 Limited. I too had problems getting them set by the instructions. So I called Progressive. He told me at my weight I should run the shock at minimum preload. He even said with my wife on the bike it wouldn't take much preload setting.
So I backed them all the off and road and it's not too bad. I chose the Heavy duty version because we travel more than we ride locally. And are loaded pretty heavy. So we sacrifice some ride quality.
When we rode two up, I turned them down to two rings showing and worked great. I weigh 185 and wife says 140, LOL give or take a few. Just play with it some and you will have to find that happy spot.

[FLHTCUSE7]

Setting up suspension always start with setting static sag, front and rear.

[SOCAL296]

I am trying to get these new shocks dialed in and have been reading about Ride Sag. Progressive customer service has been helpful as well. Video say to have helper lift up on suspension take measurement from center of axle to some point on fender strut. Then take measurement with rider on bike. Unfortunately I do not have a helper strong enough to help me with this. Can I get the same results from measuring floor to bottom of fender with and without rider weight?
Right now that measurement drops 1/2 inch with weight of rider.
I should note that the ride now is much better than any time with the stock air shocks. Being this close would setting ride sag be Redundant??

[SOCAL296]

Tonight I went thru the steps to set Sag as outlined in the video. Answer to my question. Redundant. After all that and getting help to lift and measure I am 1/4 turn more than what I was. Now at 3 full turns from minimum

[grc]

When setting sag you need to start from a fully extended suspension.  Part of the total sag dimension is the amount of sag just due to the weight of the bike without rider, passenger, or luggage.  Let's say you're installing shocks that have a total travel of 3.0 inches, and you've decided (or been told by the manufacturer) that a good sag number for your situation is 1.2 inches of shock travel.  Rather than try to make accurate measurements from the fender to the ground, I'd suggest measuring the shock when fully extended from eye to eye, then measuring from eye to eye when loaded and adjusting the preload setting until you get the 3.0" minus 1.2" dimension (example only, your numbers will vary).  You can rig up a simple jig to make the measurement easier, like with a straight bar or plastic pipe with a right angle fitting on one end that will fit snugly over the shock nut and another at the correct center to center distance you want.  Adjust until both ends will slip over the upper and lower nuts.  I wouldn't be surprised if someone has actually developed a similar tool just for this purpose.

Jerry

[Twolanerider]

When setting sag you need to start from a fully extended suspension.  Part of the total sag dimension is the amount of sag just due to the weight of the bike without rider, passenger, or luggage.  Let's say you're installing shocks that have a total travel of 3.0 inches, and you've decided (or been told by the manufacturer) that a good sag number for your situation is 1.2 inches of shock travel.  Rather than try to make accurate measurements from the fender to the ground, I'd suggest measuring the shock when fully extended from eye to eye, then measuring from eye to eye when loaded and adjusting the preload setting until you get the 3.0" minus 1.2" dimension (example only, your numbers will vary).  You can rig up a simple jig to make the measurement easier, like with a straight bar or plastic pipe with a right angle fitting on one end that will fit snugly over the shock nut and another at the correct center to center distance you want.  Adjust until both ends will slip over the upper and lower nuts.  I wouldn't be surprised if someone has actually developed a similar tool just for this purpose.

Jerry

I've got a homemade tool for that Jerry.  One piece of PVC of a size that slips inside another piece of PVC.  Have holes drilled in the outer piece so can see the 1/4" increment lines I marked on the inner as it slides up and down.

[SneakyPete]

Since a picture speaks a thousand words, I've include some photos of the tool I made for measuring preload.  I used parts I had laying around, but if you had to buy parts you need:  two 1/2" 90 degree pvc elbows, one 8" 1/2" bolt and washer, one 8" 1/2" pipe nipple.  You have flexibility on the length of the bolt and pipe depending on the length of your shock.  Mine are 12".

[SneakyPete]

Tool installed.  Lift rear tire off ground with a jack and mark bolt showing extended position.  Lower bike and sit on it, now mark bolt indicating loaded condition

[SneakyPete]

Remove bolt and measure the distance between the two marks and compare to manufacturers recommendation.  I have Suspension Technology shocks and preload should be between 3/4" and 1 1/4".  Mine are set at 1".  Use same procedure on both sides.

[Rooster]

Good job there Pete.  I don't know if progressive shocks are still like they used to be but besides the regular shocks they also had a heavy duty model for folks that need heavy springs. The reason I know is I accidently got the extra heavy model once installed and went for a weekend trip with the wife and we weren't heavy enough so it was like riding a hard tail. Beat us to death, so took them off and sent them back and in turn they sent me another set that was worse than the stock shocks. Meaning bottomed out on every bump. Took those off and sold to a friend. That was the last time I bought Progressive shocks. I know many people love them. I just didn't have a good experience.

[SneakyPete]

I could never get mine dialed in either and I rode mostly solo.  When Jim (HD-dude) recommended the suspension technology shocks, I tried them and really like them.  They are the same price, maybe a little less than the progressives, but far superior one and two up.