Shocking question

[dbeardslee]

I was looking at shocks on Mikes XS, specifically Mikes XS part #06-3647 . Anyone know if these will work on a '79 standard?

[stevec5000]

I wouldn't waste my money on those cheap shocks. I tried a set once on my SR500 (not the same ones from Mikes but similar ones for $79) and they are pretty worthless. They don't have much damping but a lot of resistance so they bounce around a lot and still have a rough ride!
If you want to save money you can pickup a set of Harley shocks for around $50 at a lot of Harley shops and they are much better shocks, better suited to a heavy bike like the 1100. You will have to change the bushings though.

[GARTHXS]

shocking

I just got the 06-3608 for my 78g and they seem to work good but they are a little long

[fredintoon]

It's well known that you don't get what you don't pay for. That said, a new moderately priced shock will likely work better than the shock that's been on the bike since it was built and is all wore out.
What'd worry me is the shock's spring rate. Those units are meant for a bike that weighs ~470 lbs while the XS11 is pushing 600. I'd suppose the springs would be a little soft for it.

[Wildkat]

Progressive shocks

Several of the members here are running Progressives on their bikes and swear by them... You can go to their website and find the size and often find it on E-bay... I was able to score a set for John's bike for relatively inexpensively (don't recall exactly what I paid at the moment) and he loves them...
IIRC, you do have to correct the bushing size... but that wasn't difficult...

[psycoreefer]

I just ordered 06 - 3601, which is the black version of the ones your looking at. They should be here tomorrow, so I'll have them on the bike either Wednesday or Thursday. If you want to wait a week or so I'll be able to give you my opinion.

I ordered the longer (then stock) ones to help compensate for the fact that they may be designed for a lighter bike. If the springs don't seem up to the job then I'm going to attempt to put the stock springs on the new shocks.

I wanted progressives but couldn't justify spending 200 - 400 bucks for shocks when I only paid 300 for the whole bike and its not running quite right.

[dbeardslee]

WildKat - you're quite the artist, aren't you. Had a look at your website trying to find the website you mentioned and was quite impressed. I wonder what you could do with a gas tank and some automotive paint...but I digress. Do you have a url for the website you alluded to?

Psycoreefer - I'm just doing the groundwork now, and am quite sure I won't order before you get yours (shocks that is ) I'm VERY interested in how they work, as I was thinking along the same lines as you. Can't see spending more on shocks than I did on the whole bike. One thing life has taught me is that it rarely pays to get in a big hurry. Some people say if I moved any slower I'd attract buzzards

Stevec5000 - Harley shocks sound like a good idea, but I have no idea what to look for other than a 12.75 inch shock with two eyes. Do you know a model number and someplace that sells them?

Thanks for the help.

WildKat - took another look at your site and clicked on the bike button. You couldn't quite stop at the gas tank, could you Looks cool.

[Wildkat]

Awe shucks... thanks




Here's the link to the Progressive site...

Progressive Website

This should take you directly to the product search...
When I bought John's shocks... I found the model he needed and then went right to E-bay...

[dbeardslee]

Thanks WildKat. I checked the site, and it looks like the 04-1459B would be the ones. I look around on e-bay all the time, but have never ordered anything there. Progressive's site says you can order directly from them. $85 bucks for the chrome isn't bad. I must have been a ferret in a previous life 'cause I sure like shiny stuff.

[red bandit]

All the Harley shocks I've seen (not that many) the width of the eye is to wide.

[psycoreefer]

Is 85 for just shocks or for just springs? Keep in mind that you may or may not be able to put your stock springs on the progressive shocks depending on how they are designed and also that in order to switch the springs you will need to build/buy/rent/borrow a special tool to compress the springs.

Before I ordered mine I did a search and someone said that standard progressive rear springs seemed too soft for two up and that the heavy duty ones were too hard for anything but two up with luggage. I think they ended up putting their stock springs on the progressive shocks but I can't remember the details. Maybe if you do a search you can find that thread.

I wonder how much a shop would charge to just swap springs, something to think about.

[dbeardslee]

Psy - Man was that a good question. I looked at it again, and it's for a spring kit for XS11 STD. Makes that $85 look a little different. I guess I could put the progressive springs on the old shocks, but I doubt whether they have much damping power left. I really want to put new springs and shocks. I've got my fingers crossed for your Mikes XS parts as it seems to have both.

[DiverRay]

Here is the price for the shocks WITHOUT the springs from the http://mawonline.com site.
M41688 $ 94.95 Progressive 14 OE Shocks w/out Sprngs Pr 12.5`` #141282 (141282B) Catalog Page
[ LENGTH: 12.5``; MOUNTS: Eyelet-to-eyelet ]
This is the page for the shocks:
www.mawonline.com/newsite/progressive-shocks.htm#412%20SERIES%20CRUISER%20SHOCKS
HTH

[stevec5000]

>>Stevec5000 - Harley shocks sound like a good idea, but I have no idea what to look for other than a 12.75 inch shock with two eyes. Do you know a model number and someplace that sells them?

Um, no. The Harley shop up the street has all sorts of different ones for $50 so I just picked some that looked about the same as my old ones and stuck them on.
They have been working fine for several years now.

[SiP]

Is there a guide for dialing up the stock shocks? Mine are at the lowest setting and I'm 225lbs, plus when i take swmbo it's not going to get any less