Gertrude Gets Progressive Shocks

[GrandpaDenny]

Well now that wasn't bad at all. Fortunately the old shocks held air long enough for me to get her up on the center stand, otherwise I would have had to use a jack. I ended up using a jack under the right front engine guard to stabilize her anyway, as the street in front of my apartment is both downhill and cambered. I won't go into a lot of detail, as Don's superb video on changing shock oil covers the R&R quite well, with a couple of additions.

1. Do the shocks one at a time.
2. Do the left shock first, it's easier to line up. I did the right side first and couldn't get the bottom of the shock into place as the Progressives are slightly longer than the stockers, I guess.
3. The 10mm bolt that hold the subframes together is a pain to line up. This bolt hold the back of the saddlebag frame on. Be prepared for some levering and tugging to get everything lined up - the trunk rack, the saddlebag frame, and the rear subframe.

4. It only took about an hour.
5. Make sure you use the proper size sleeve on the shock bolts - there are three of each size in the bag, you'll find the correct ones. In this case they were the largest i.d. ones.

I took her for a ride around the block, holy smokes what a difference! Can't wait to get her out and about. She rides like a Cadillac now. I hit all the potholes and manhole covers and pavement cracks I came across in my little spin and wouldn't have spilled my coffee. Truly amazing.

[cranky]

.. OK, what kind / size / length did you get, why, and would you do it again???!!!
Thanks!!! Maybe me next... and I'll have my wrench do it...

[GrandpaDenny]

412-4221C heavy-duty chrome (couldn't find them in black). If I'd've realized how easy it is to R&R the shocks I might've changed the oil in the OEM shocks long ago, but in this case, since the shocks blew out, hell yes I'd do it again. Have you priced OEM shocks? Over $500 EACH new. The Progressives I believe come with a 'lifetime' warranty.

I didn't mention a few things about the old shocks. The left one had oil on the outside. One of the shocks (don't remember which) didn't have any oil in it apparently. The other only leaked a little when it got knocked over on the ground. So I'm thinking if I'd changed the oil in those shocks a year and a half ago, I probably wouldn't have had to run 40lbs. air in them, and they probably wouldn't have blown out on that bump. Then again, the original front springs were mush, so likely the springs in the shocks were too, so it's a wash.

Today's plan of attack is to pick up some little parts from AutoZone (and a tap&die set I ordered yesterday), install the light bar, and go for a ride on the Schyukill Expressway to really test the new shocks.

[SgtSlag]

I would strongly recommend that you replace the OEM fork springs, at the same time... They work together with the rear shocks: replace one set, and the other's weaknesses will become glaringly/scarily obvious! The Progressive Fork Springs, as well as the Progressive Shock Springs, are dual-rate springs: you get the performance of two different spring rates. They have a soft reaction portion, along with a hard reaction portion of the spring windings, acting like soft and hard duty springs, all in one (they have their limits -- see below about "standard duty" versus "heavy duty" springs on the shocks). Note that the Fork Springs are dual rate springs, as well. If you are not familiar with them, and what they can do for you, look up dual-rate springs on the Internet.

I switched out my OEM's because I had installed Progressives on my previous bike (1979 Honda CB750K), and the transformation was astoundingly good -- that old bike rode like a new, modern bike, as far as I could tell!... I wanted the same quality for my new-to-me Voyager XII. I hate "air assist" anything: more things to monitor/adjust/repair. I prefer sealed, install-and-forget parts, like the Progressive shocks.

I did make the mistake of going with the "standard duty" springs, on my first set of shocks: I ride two up, 99% of the time, and the "standard duty" springs were not enough (wife and I are both big people) -- we blew out one of the new Progressive shocks, within one month of riding, due to bottoming out, repeatedly (Ouch!)... I ordered a new pair, with "heavy duty" springs, and we've been riding on them since 2010, without issue. Cheers!

[GrandpaDenny]

Gene and I replaced the front springs last August:

Which one is Gertrude?

As for the rear shocks, I bottomed them out for the first time day before yesterday on a good rough section of road. I haven't adjusted the preload yet - will do that after the rain stops, I guess Thursday. They are the heavy-duty springs - I'm close to 280lbs. and I had close to 100lbs. of laundry strapped to the back seat. I'll actually take measurements and set the sag to specs. Then I'll get a good adjustment on the lights.