Has anyone here installed Progressive shocks on the rear?

[admin]

Maybe I'm just too darn tired to think straight but I'm having a problem figuring out their adaptor method. Seems like no matter which fittings I look at in their kit(s) it always ends up male to male and that gets me nowhere as far as a connection goes. Can anyone tell me how you did it on your bike? Progressive should be open around noon tomorrow so I can talk to a techie but I'd like to have the installation done long before then.

[SIR tricky]

yes and what connection are you talking about

[admin]

I'll take any connection that will get me from the bike's fittings to the shocks. Even if I ripped all the Honda hose and fittings the fittings supplied would not get me a connection. Where did you make your Progressive connection to Honda fitting Tricky?

[neoracer]

there is an adapter kit to convert the progressive to the gl1200

[admin]

Yes, I have that adaptor kit and every combination I try leaves the connection from Progressive to Honda male to male. I just wonder if somebody goofed when they put the adaptor kit together or is there some secret way of making the connection that I am not aware of.

[wpgfire]

Found it. Here's the adapter kit you need:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=30-5082">http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/Pro ... de=30-5082</a><!-- m -->

It's product #30-5082. Found it a couple of bucks cheaper in a few places but no picture. Made it easy to fit right into my '87Aspy's system.

Does your kit match the parts in the picture? Do you have the on-board air-compressor? I'll assume you do. You'll need to re-use parts #6 and 16 to connect the new hoses to.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=146422&category=MOTORCYCLES&make=HONDA&year=1987&fveh=3445">http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_d ... &fveh=3445</a><!-- m -->

If you don't have the compressor the new hoses go into the "T" and becomes your air valve.

[admin]

Amazing what a good nights sleep can do for the brain. After looking it over carefully this morning I realized that you have to replace part 16 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_d">http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_d</a><!-- m --> ... &fveh=3445 with the supplied adaptors and then everything will work just fine. Thanks for your input guys.

[Ed Z]

Bartender, I'll have a double of whatever that man has been drinking... #-O #-O #-O
Not very often we get the opportunity to razz ya Vic...

[admin]

You're right Ed, it's not often that I ask a question on my site, but, I was so tired that day that my brain just was not working properly. Must be old age creeping up.

[Keener]

Great posting, guys. I'm hoping to acquire a set of 416's this winter and the info contained in this post has been very useful.

[Ed Z]

Yeah Vic, I too know that story... Of all the things I have ever lost, I miss my mind the most.!!

I went a bit different route in that I used the progressive dampers and springs within the OEM shock bodies... To do it again, I would not have put in the Progressive dampers... They are a sealed unit so there is no need to add oil to the shock assembly (therefore none to leak either)... The problem is the oil progressive sealed within their dampers is a bit to thin for my tastes... At least when using the OEM dampers one can adjust the ride damping firmness by going with heavier oil...

I have a set of new shock seals on order... I plan to return to the OEM damper, but keep the Progressive springs... I'll be putting in 15w oil this time too... I'll let folks know the end results (good or bad)... With a shock compressor tool, rebuilding is a cinch and only takes 15 minutes or so...

[admin]

I wonder what series of Progressive shocks you used Ed.? According to the instructions included with my Progressive 416's the oil and the seal can be replaced much the same as stock Honda rear shocks and I could pour some oil out of the shock so that would lead me to believe that the instructions included are correct.
Look here for instructions on seal replacement and adding 2 ounces of transmission fluid to the 416 Progressive shock: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdfs/shocks_shockSprings/3068-100.pdf">http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pd ... 68-100.pdf</a><!-- m -->

[Ed Z]

Yeah, the two ounces of oil is just for keeping the seal lubed... If you use the OEM dampers it calls for 10 oz of oil... The damper part in the progressives can be purchased separately and installed into the OEM shock body... The real difference is in the damper... The honda damper is much like the forks in that it uses the oil (10 oz) in the shock... Where as the progressives damper (in the 416's or as used in the OEM shock body) are sealed units and don't use the oil in the shock body for dampening...

I'm going to go back to the OEM dampers and use heavier oil... I'll keep the Progressive springs though... This way I can adjust the dampening by changing the oil viscosity...

[admin]

It sure feels like Progressive calculated correctly on the oil viscocity because the ride is sure a lot better than my stock Honda shocks which show no signs of oil leakage. Going with too thick of oil usually nets a very harsh ride going down the road.