Progressive 416 shocks no more -- Harley shocks? Car shocks?

[Solo So Long]

Leaky air shock on my Wing, so I started looking for information. Lots of endorsements of the Progessive 416s.

Looking around, everyone is out of stock. The Performance Machine website shows them but the "Add to Cart" is no worky, so I asked, and was told "No more air suspension."

I've seen references to Harley air shocks being compatible. Does anyone know which specific model of HD has compatible shocks? Or what the specs are on the original shock, to maybe match to a small car air shock?

[4given]

Hagon in the UK used to make rear shocks to fit the GL1500. There is information on this forum about them.

[WingAdmin]

Hagon in the UK used to make rear shocks to fit the GL1500. There is information on this forum about them.

Hagon makes excellent shocks, and will make custom shocks to order - I have had them do so for a custom build that did not use factory shocks.

[Rednaxs60]

Hagan has the 1200/1500 Goldwings listed. For the 1500:

HONDA 1500 GL1500 (SC22) Twinshocks/without compressor 1988 2001 34049 34049SA
HONDA 1500 GL1500 (SC22) Mono to utilise O.E. compressor 1988 2001 M61105

[Solo So Long]

I want to stick with an air shock, my load can vary quite a bit, depending on whether I'm solo or with She Who Must Be Obeyed, trailer, luggage, etc.

Anyone have the spec on the factory shock (length eye to eye, eye diameter, travel)?

I wouldn't be surprised if Monroe has something to fit.

[4given]

Good luck on that one. I would be very interested and surprised.

[Rambozo]

I wouldn't be surprised if Monroe has something to fit.

Fits and works properly are two different things.
Car shocks would be way over damped for the weight of your bike.
Monroe does make air shocks for Harleys, so that might be a good option for you.

[bri720a]

I would not be surprised if you could find monroe shocks that will work. I know on the Honda VTX there are a number of people who use their air shocks to build a system. I "think" the use a shock listed for a Corvette.
Definitally keep us updated. I would like to know for the future.

Also if your air shock is leaking I believe you can rebuild it with new seals etc.

Brian.

[thebruce]

I recall reading somewhere that harley decker air shocks are about 1" taller eye to eye, but will work. I think they are the same from about 1990 to 2010 so there are probably a lot of takeoffs out there.

Street glides in particular are lowered from the factory and that eye to eye measurement is likely to be less. How much less, I don't know.

I happen to have a set of these somewhere in my shop, for some reason I haven't looked into swapping them onto the wing. Mebbe next time I change the rear wheel I will get the inclination.

In the meantime and in between time I'll post the eye to eye measurement on those puppies, and if they are suitable there may be a run on lowering shocks for dressers at your local H-D shoppe.

[Solo So Long]

Car shocks would be way over damped for the weight of your bike.

Would they?

On cars, air shocks are used in a pair that takes about 1/2 the weight of a 2000 - 3000lb car -- thus each shock takes about 1000 - 1500 lbs, so using one puts it into the Goldwing weight range (with riders).

[Rambozo]

One would be right in the ballpark, but the bike in question needs two. Sure you could lower the air pressure to make the load capacity right, but unless you had adjustable damping, you would be stuck at double what you need. It could work, or it could handle like a buggy, lots of variables. You can always try it and see how it goes.

[Solo So Long]

But one car shock and one bike shock just might work.

[Rambozo]

Honda seemed to think so, with air on one side, spring on the other, and damping mixed between them?

[thebruce]

Street glide shocks are 12" eye to eye. I used a measuring tape, so give me +/- 1/8".

I am not an engineer, and probably never will be. My common sense absolutely loathes the half and half rear damping on these things right about until I kick it into gear and drop the clutch, and then IDGAF.

[Sadanorakman]

Sorry to revive an old thread guys, but I'm returning again to the issue of discontinued 416's.

My 2000 GL1500 only has 13,000 miles on her, but I would change out the rear shocks in an instant if 416's were still manufactured. I keep a lazy eye on ebay just in case, but realistically, they are rarer than rocking-horse **** second-hand in the UK, and tend to be both battered, and expensive to import when they do come up in the U.S.

It seems so obvious that there might be a set of Hardley air shocks that might just do the job.

Does anyone have any more info on this please, such as any Harley shocks that have a comparable eye-to-eye length at least, and that can handle a similar load? I'm not at all familiar with newer Harleys.

[Rambozo]

Hagon will build you whatever you want.
Typically, you only need to replace the left shock and rebuild the right factory air spring.

[Sadanorakman]

Hagon will build you whatever you want.
Typically, you only need to replace the left shock and rebuild the right factory air spring.

Thanks Rambozo, I'm aware of that, and my suspension doesn't need rebuilding right now. Also I'm in the UK so Hagon is easy to deal with, BUT:

My interest is in a pair of air adjustable in similar concept to the 416/GL1100/GL1200, instead of the original GL1500 format of coil-over on one side, and air-adjustable shock only on the other.

Would be great if there were a directly comparable Harley set out there at 13 1/2" eye to eye, and for a similar load rating.

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Check out YSS shocks

[Sadanorakman]

Check out YSS shocks

You have completely missed the point of my posts, but thank you for your contribution anyway.

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Check out YSS shocks

You have completely missed the point of my posts, but thank you for your contribution anyway.

You are welcome