Progressive 416 alternatives
- Sadanorakman
- Posts: 428
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:42 pm
- Location: Leicester, ENGLAND
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE (Blue)
1991 GL1500 SE (Gold)
Progressive 416 alternatives
Are there any alternatives to the discontinued progressive 416 13.42" air shocks for the gl1500?
Do any of the Harley air shocks fit the gl1500? I'm a little vertically challenged, so would be happy with a 13" with a similar spring rate.
If I managed to find a pair of gl1500 416's second hand, can you get replacement dust boots for them? What about springs?
Many thanks.
Do any of the Harley air shocks fit the gl1500? I'm a little vertically challenged, so would be happy with a 13" with a similar spring rate.
If I managed to find a pair of gl1500 416's second hand, can you get replacement dust boots for them? What about springs?
Many thanks.
Last edited by Sadanorakman on Sat Jun 06, 2020 4:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Sadanorakman
- Posts: 428
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:42 pm
- Location: Leicester, ENGLAND
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE (Blue)
1991 GL1500 SE (Gold)
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
Has anyone tried Harley road king air shocks? These are 13", and it's also an 800lb motorcycle. No idea what the difference in suspension travel is though, or bolt sizes.
- 4given
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2015 6:19 pm
- Location: Danville, PA
- Motorcycle: 1996 Honda GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
Not a good fit. They will definitely lower the bike but they are lighter and even pumped up to full pressure will probably rub. Ask me how I know. 

“Fight the fight and do what is right“
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1421
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
Boots on rear shock is easily replaceable with a generic Monroe SA1997 universal shock boots. Search for Progressive Suspension # 30-5041 for the seal kit to do two shocks, has instructions. Springs if not broken will likely will be OK. If you need new upper or lower bushings, you may find them at Energy Suspension in polyurethane. The "shock body" is not serviceable. My '97 trike has had same set since it was converted in 1998, no leaks yet.Sadanorakman wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 4:00 pm Are there any alternatives to the discontinued progressive 416 13.42" air shocks for the gl1500?
Do any of the Harley air shocks fit the gl1500? I'm a little vertically challenged, so would be happy with a 13" with a similar spring rate.
If I managed to find a pair of gl1500 416's second hand, can you get replacement dust boots for them? What about springs?
Many thanks.
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
… & Have a Safe Trip!

- thebruce
- Posts: 102
- Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2019 10:12 pm
- Location: Boundary Country, British Columbia, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1991 GL1500SE Anniversary Edition #54
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
I was also thinking H-D air shocks, but if they have been weighed, measured and been found wanting I would consider a set of the conventional shocks that cyclemax sells.
I really have a hate on for the lopsided rear suspension.
I KNOW the engineers that put this system on the bike were far smarter and paid much more for their time than I ever will be.
My bird-brain just can't ignore the uneven forces exerted on the swingarm, frame and bearings. Again, I KNOW there have been untold millions of miles run on this system without fail.
Maybe I just like symmetry...
I really have a hate on for the lopsided rear suspension.
I KNOW the engineers that put this system on the bike were far smarter and paid much more for their time than I ever will be.
My bird-brain just can't ignore the uneven forces exerted on the swingarm, frame and bearings. Again, I KNOW there have been untold millions of miles run on this system without fail.
Maybe I just like symmetry...
It doesn't matter what you ride, as long as you have your knees to the breeze.
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
I also am looking for a Progressive replacement.
TheBruce, if you think on it a little both shocks are pushing up reasonably equally unless the air pressure is ZERO or at full pressure. There is some unequal spring action but the swing-arm is rather stout as are the swing-arm bearings.
The umteen millions of miles prove it's a good system.
.
.
TheBruce, if you think on it a little both shocks are pushing up reasonably equally unless the air pressure is ZERO or at full pressure. There is some unequal spring action but the swing-arm is rather stout as are the swing-arm bearings.
The umteen millions of miles prove it's a good system.

.
.
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- Posts: 103
- Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:21 pm
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 SE
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
416s are good enough.
Progressive Suspension #00-1172 is the HD spring kit.
There are lighter service springs available but I'd stick with the 1172 unless someone has another PN.
Along with fresh boots, seals, eyes and some chrome paint, you'll have a good rear shock setup.
As for an alternative, I haven't found anything better (.. I'm open to suggestion.)
Frustration is all you will get, dealing with Progressive Suspension since they discontinued the 416s. pc
Progressive Suspension #00-1172 is the HD spring kit.
There are lighter service springs available but I'd stick with the 1172 unless someone has another PN.
Along with fresh boots, seals, eyes and some chrome paint, you'll have a good rear shock setup.
As for an alternative, I haven't found anything better (.. I'm open to suggestion.)
Frustration is all you will get, dealing with Progressive Suspension since they discontinued the 416s. pc
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1421
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
But then …. I've read a lot of tales of the rear swing arm bending or yielding due to time, miles, and rust from folks in places like England where lots of rain or humidity, etc. I know they are built stout, built to take even unequal loading side to side. I have two sitting out on the back stoop to haul off … but rust knows no stopping.
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
… & Have a Safe Trip!

- Sadanorakman
- Posts: 428
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:42 pm
- Location: Leicester, ENGLAND
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE (Blue)
1991 GL1500 SE (Gold)
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
Thank you for the input everyone. Am I right in thinking that the 416 shocks aren't completely serviceable? Only the lower seal is renewable? Does this mean there are still internal damping valves etc that are subject to wear and not replaceable?
- 4given
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2015 6:19 pm
- Location: Danville, PA
- Motorcycle: 1996 Honda GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
One of my 416 shocks leaks air out of the top and the seal kit did not fix that.
“Fight the fight and do what is right“
- Sadanorakman
- Posts: 428
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:42 pm
- Location: Leicester, ENGLAND
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE (Blue)
1991 GL1500 SE (Gold)
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
Interesting to know.
Have you determined exactly where it leaks? Does it comes from where the top-mount joins the body, or the air-inlet perhaps?
If I can bring people back to my last question please: Is the 416 shock fully strippable/serviceable, or only the lower part e.g. seal. I'm worried about buying used ones, and finding them worn out with nothing I can do about it.
- 4given
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2015 6:19 pm
- Location: Danville, PA
- Motorcycle: 1996 Honda GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
My air leak is coming from where the top mount goes into the shock. I’ve been looking for a solution for a year or so. Progressive has been no help ever since they discontinued the 416s. And as I said the seal kit didn’t fix the problem.
“Fight the fight and do what is right“
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1421
- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:07 pm
- Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500SE/'98 Lehman Trike
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
Should have … if installed correctly, surfaces all clean and undamaged, and as long as seal was pliable . Mine don't leak, same seals.4given wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 10:38 am My air leak is coming from where the top mount goes into the shock. I’ve been looking for a solution for a year or so. Progressive has been no help ever since they discontinued the 416s. And as I said the seal kit didn’t fix the problem.76086A0E-C4EE-4695-AD64-7A2A48E2985F.jpeg
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
… & Have a Safe Trip!

- 4given
- Posts: 348
- Joined: Fri Jul 17, 2015 6:19 pm
- Location: Danville, PA
- Motorcycle: 1996 Honda GL1500 Aspencade
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
Should have … if installed correctly, surfaces all clean and undamaged, and as long as seal was pliable . Mine don't leak, same seals.CrystalPistol wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2020 1:59 pm [quote=4given post_id=341635 time=<a href="tel:1591889887">1591889887</a> user_id=75171]
My air leak is coming from where the top mount goes into the shock. I’ve been looking for a solution for a year or so. Progressive has been no help ever since they discontinued the 416s. And as I said the seal kit didn’t fix the problem.76086A0E-C4EE-4695-AD64-7A2A48E2985F.jpeg
[/quote]
I’m fairly sure everything went back together correctly but this winter I’ll look at it again and try another seal kit but I’m not getting my hopes up. The shocks work great even without air so It’s not all that urgent.
“Fight the fight and do what is right“
-
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:21 pm
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 SE
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
IS/CAN the Progressive 00-1172 HD Springs Kit BE used with the 416 Shock (I have a broken spring?)
I know this kit fits the Stock Honda GL1500 shocks..
I know this kit fits the Stock Honda GL1500 shocks..
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- Posts: 103
- Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 10:21 pm
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 SE
Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
As for the Air Leak.. Pull the shock apart and investigate the issue.
If there is a chaffed//cut O-Ring, replace it and if the top of the shock is cracked,
clean it up and solder up or JB Weld the crack. pc
If there is a chaffed//cut O-Ring, replace it and if the top of the shock is cracked,
clean it up and solder up or JB Weld the crack. pc
- WingAdmin
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Re: Progressive 416 alternatives
I think if I were to source new shocks, I would go to Hagon. They will build custom shocks to your specifications in terms of weight, spring, size, etc. I had them do exactly this for my wife's PC800, and they did an amazing job.