Hey There Folks,
Was hoping one of you kind people could give me a little info. I have an 05 1200R and ride it to work daily (15 miles). Am trying to tweak this little scoot for my daily needs. Basically that means comfort. Stock seat? Gone.
Couple of Questions for you...
After bottoming out the rear end for the 15th time on city potholes ( I am only checkin in at about a buck eighty weight wise) I have had enough. Going to get some progressive shocks.. Lookin at the 413 series. They measure 15". That is what, 1.5" bigger than stock? It is going to change the geometry, I am cool with that, but will it work? Any mods need to be done during install? Interference with existing stock stuff, that kind of thing? What would be pros and cons, etc. I would kind of like a higher ass end on the bike anyway.
Second Q:
Okay, sorry to keep rambling, but the Cafe Faring offered by H-D. For you that have installed it, noticable wind deflection? Too small for buffeting? Any Whistling?
Sorry I have gone on so much, but I am trying to push myself off the wall here and ask some questions to guys that know (from what I see on the posts) more about this stuff than me.
Thanks and remember if there is no ice, there is no excuse.

Background:
It all started with a '66 Bridgestone. Anybody remember those? this is my First Harley but seventh bike.
Thanks again

.... I have the old 4800's.....even runner shorter, they still didnt bottom out like the stockers did.

Your stock 1200R shocks are 13 1/4" in length. (bolt hole to bolt hole)

15" might be a little long ... Do they sell a 14" shock?

I assume they would. I know if I swap out same size as stock, Problem would be solved, but on a visual level, I would not mind bringing the back end up a bit, Know what I mean?

The problem with the taller shocks on the newer bikes is that the rear brake master cylinder (and its funky 90-degree linkage) have been relocated to underneath the swingarm.

The tallest shock Progressive lists for the 2004+ bikes is 13.5" (I called just this past Friday on behalf of a customer.)

That having been said, you could likely get away with a 14.25" 412 or 418 series, but you should be prepared to maybe "relieve" either the swingarm or whatever bits of the brake apparatus is interfering... you can check all this yourself by jacking up the bike a bit, unbolting the shocks and measuring the max distance between shock mounting points before the swingarm and brake parts start to contact. You should leave yourself a small amount of clearance to stay on the safe side, though the shock length does represent the limit of travel for the swingarm, barring extreme forces to the rubber bushings in the shock eyes.

Best regards,

Chris Leger

D'oh... just dawned on me that the 418s don't come in 14.25"... only the 412s do. Otherwise, you are looking at the 413s in 15-15.75"

Regards,

Chris Leger

I think 14" shocks would certainly bring the rear up. I have 1200-S shocks on mine and it sets higher in the back and the are only 13 1/2" long. I think you will find that the Progressives don't sag as much as your stock shocks ... so, that combined with the longer length, it will certainlt set much higher.

I still think that 14" shocks will make a big difference ... but, it's up to you.

...AND you also need to take into account any potential interference between your drive belt/chain and other parts (exhaust, brackets, etc.)

cjl

Thanks Chris.
Appreciate it. So basically the two holdown clamps on the section of hard brake line may need to be loosened and adjusted to whatever new "angle" the longer shocks give me. Do you know if there is even a noticable difference after weight has returned to bike and shocks "compress" between the progressives and stock?

Well, you can get a set of Ohlins type 36PL. These are pricey, but they are also adjustable in not only preload, but also in length.

36 mm monotube shock absorber with external reservoir
Adjustable length
Mechanical spring preload adjuster

P/N: HD142
Length: 14.2" - 14.6" adjustable
Stroke: 3.9"

P/N: HD141
Length: 13.3" - 13.6" adjustable
Stroke: 3.9"

$809 Retail

$656 http://www.competitionmotorcycle.com/parts/frames/frame271.htm

http://www.cyborgcycles.com/rearsus.htm (may be cheaper)

http://usera.imagecave.com/Turbota/Ohlins36PL.jpg

Well, I wish I had a new bike here to check, but if you look under your swingarm at the front, you'll see the master cyclinder, an elaborate right-angle linkage, lines, etc... all kinds of junk stuffed under there. If you lengthen the shocks, you'll move the swingarm closer to all that stuff. It's nt just a matter of the lines.

I'll leave it you to figure out just what would need to me moved/modified, but I'm pretty sure 15" will be too long, or nearly so, whithout some modifications to the way the brake parts are mounted. I bet 14.25" 412s would fit with little or no modification to the bike.

Either of the 412 or 413 series shocks will beef up the rear suspension versus the under-damped and under-sprung stock Showas. No doubt about it. It will make a difference (for the better) that you'll notice imediately.

Yeah. probably just go with the 13.5's and keep it simple. First impulse is obviously to go big, but have to remember its a sporty, so keep it easy.

I run 15.75" shocks on my personal bike... it's definitely the way to go, so if you're likewise inclined, I'd urge you to jack up the rear of the bike, disconnect your shocks, and see for yourself just how tall you can (easily) go.

You may have missed it, but did you see the last post on page 1 about the Ohlins?

Thanks for the tips guys.
I am going down to the garage and see if brake line is that involed.
I agree 15's too big. Maybe 14's. I am going to check, can't remember if reservior is attached to swingarm or not.

Damn. I type to slow. Okay. That is what I will do. I am going to lift it and see what kind of give I have. 15's would be very cool. Hmmm. decisions now. C'mon its sunday, I am supposed to be relaxin here

im looking at the 412s from trak trek in either 13.5 or 14.25 they told me the same about 13.5 is the max. i never got around to jacking the bike up and taking the shocks off but i want to get it as tall as possible. i am going to work on putting some caffiene on my bike so i want to get some big heavy duty shocks.

-Steve

if your looking for not bottoming out i think a 13.5 Heavy duty would work good. also stop hitting potholes one of my neighbors friends died hitting a pothole on his bike

Steve,
I am with you there on the potholes. You ever been to Washington DC? Unfortunately they are unavoidable a times. The city streets are pretty bad and that is what I commute on.
Be curious also about gettin it higher in back though...

I recently installed 13.5 418 Progressives. They don't feel any taller than the stock shocks, although they are, but only .25 inch. With the 13.5 shocks there is aproximately 3/8 of an inch from the belt to the brake linkage. Someone, Scout99 I believe, installed 14.25 Works Performance if I remember correctly, but I think that's gonna be about the limit on the late models.

I put the 412's 14.25 inch shocks on my bike. Great shocks, much better than the stock. I noticed on my first ride a very slight change in steering geometry, a slight quickening I guess, but I don't notice any change after many miles now. I too wanted the a$$ end raised, I think stock sportsters look like they are tail draggin. No issues with the belt or anything else, and the shocks are really easy to change out.

Wolfgang,
Thanks for the info. Glad to hear the 14.25's went on with no mods. Yeah it should be pretty easy, for the switch out. I am going to call Taktek or Some supplier and see if Black is an option. Me and chrome don't get along. I know that is blasphemy in some parts, but daily cleanin aint my bag.

So, ya don't like the Ohlins?

Wolfgang,
Thanks for the info. Glad to hear the 14.25's went on with no mods. Yeah it should be pretty easy, for the switch out. I am going to call Taktek or Some supplier and see if Black is an option. Me and chrome don't get along. I know that is blasphemy in some parts, but daily cleanin aint my bag.


go to trakteks site they have the 412s shiny on the top and black on the bottom its a good transition from the chrome side piece on the fender to the black swingarm :smoke

Trubota-Looked at the Ohlins, I am sure they are worth it, but I want to keep it under a few hundred. Gonna work on other improvements as well oh don't you know.

Steve- Chrome to black may be a good transition. They will be hidden behind bags most often anyhow. Just somethin about Addin more chrome if I don't need to.

Guess I will start a new thread about the Fairing Question I asked earlier, I kind of got buried under the shocks.

Yup yup

The 412s can be purchased in all black, which is what I have, and that matches the orange/black colors of the 883R VERY nicely.

Here's a picture of my bike with the black 412's :) :

do you have any other pics. like a full side shot? do you have different springs in your forks?

Wolfgang,
Those are the 14.25"s in the pic? Man it does really raise the tail end huh?
You say the geometry did not change enough to be issue? I like it though...