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| Adygold | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 26/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 52 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 09 Feb 2012 - 09:58 Post title : Lower rear shocks | | | Does anyone out there have any idea if there are aftermarket lower rear shocks available for the tbird. Not sure if Australian importers have to by law put longer shocks on (I know Harley importers to Australia have to) but I reckon the shocks are way too long. Have done some digging and xchoppers.com do Progressive 11" 412 shocks and they look great (they have a picture of a tbird with them on). So I emailed Progressive directly as I had a couple of questions and they emailed back basically saying the shocks pictured are not rated for a tbird and should not be used at all. Lucky I didnt buy them.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Ady.
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| TraderVic | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 02/02/2010 | | Posts | : | 274 | | Location | : | Manahawkin, NJ, United States |
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| | Posted : 09 Feb 2012 - 14:16 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Adygold) | |
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| mjgt | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 09 Feb 2012 - 19:48 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Adygold) | | | Try Hagon in the UK, they will make them any length you want (within reason) and they are well priced and rebuildable, the T-bird ones are also made of stainless steel.
| Mick . . .  Keep the rubber side down!!
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| Adygold | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 52 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 09 Feb 2012 - 21:12 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: TraderVic) | | | Thanks for the link TraderVic. How have the shocks been going for you since that post? I want to go lower than 13", maybe down to 11.5" but trying to find anyone who has done so and is happy with performance.
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| Adygold | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 52 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 09 Feb 2012 - 21:13 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: mjgt) | | | Do yopu have lowered Hagons on your tbird? Might get in touch with them and see if they have any advice. Cheers for that.
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| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 09 Feb 2012 - 21:27 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Adygold) | | |
Adygold wrote:
Do yopu have lowered Hagons on your tbird? Might get in touch with them and see if they have any advice. Cheers for that. |
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No, I am thinking of going higher, not lower but when I do get some it will be Hagons. I have used these shocks for years even when they were called Girling gass shocks and have never had any problems with them. Give them a call, they can also alter the spring rate to suite your riding style.
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
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| TraderVic | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 02/02/2010 | | Posts | : | 274 | | Location | : | Manahawkin, NJ, United States |
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| | Posted : 10 Feb 2012 - 14:21 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Adygold) | | |
Adygold wrote:
Thanks for the link TraderVic. How have the shocks been going for you since that post? I want to go lower than 13", maybe down to 11.5" but trying to find anyone who has done so and is happy with performance. |
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I like the shocks better than stock. The difference isn't huge, but it's there. I didn't want to go too low and give up the ground clearance.
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| Aussieduck | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 09/05/2012 | | Posts | : | 159 | | Location | : | Angaston, Barossa Valley Sth Aust, Australia |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 07:50 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Adygold) | | | Howdy.How did you go with the shocks?I,m a bit keen on the progressive 412,s.Would like to go 2" lower(shortarse).Cheers.I,m in South Australia and just got my bike.
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| TraderVic | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 02/02/2010 | | Posts | : | 274 | | Location | : | Manahawkin, NJ, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 12:47 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Aussieduck) | | | These are the ones I got.
Link
I got them here.
https://www.powersportsuperstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=412-4213C&Search.x=13&Search.y=11
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 963 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 14:04 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: TraderVic) | | | Sorry this is a delay on an old post but read your post Vic regarding grinding off the cap, there is an option for the caps that dresses them up and makes it look better than stock and comes in chrome, black or clear
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| Thatch | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 14:18 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: fasteddy) | | | Eddy, how is that item shaped on the back? I ask because the stock one is flat and the Ohlins are more narrow at the top of the shock than the stock shocks. It causes them to be a bit loose. I've added a silicon spacer in there that has snugged it all up but the stock caps don't really quite fit anyway so if these were to to be inset a bit as well as being better looking they'd be a perfect match for what I'm needing.
(if that made any sense at all)
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| fasteddy | | Chaac | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2008 | | Posts | : | 963 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 15:35 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Thatch) | | | They are flat on the back, I added a stainless steel washer on mine. E-mail me a photo Joe on what you referring to so I have a clear understanding of what you are talking about (I think I do but want to be sure)
eddy
| www.fasteddysports.com
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| shagrat57 | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/12/2011 | | Posts | : | 393 | | Location | : | Totton, Hampshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 15:56 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: fasteddy) | | | I want more lean angle, not less. So I want longer shocks if anything.
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 16:12 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: shagrat57) | | | Will do Eddy.
Shag, if you want more lean angle I cannot say enough good things about the Ohlins shocks. I can't scrape any longer .... I'd be grinding rim before I'm grinding pegs on the bird at this point (slight exaggeration) plus I've got more adjustment than any normal rider would need in a lifetime. The really are the top shock for a reason. Of course that comes with an eye-watering price, but for me it was worth it. I think there is a slightly shorter Ohlins shock without the reservoir that Eddy and I have surmised that with the stiffer spring will most likely work to both lower the bike a bit and improve handling. (at this point it is just theoretical though)
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| R63 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 21/04/2011 | | Posts | : | 47 | | Location | : | VanAlstyne, Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 16:59 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Thatch) | | |
Won't be for long! About two weeks if all goes well 
| | Post edited by R63 on 14 May 2012 - 17:02 |
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| shagrat57 | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 14/12/2011 | | Posts | : | 393 | | Location | : | Totton, Hampshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 18:34 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
.............. eye-watering price
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| AlainD | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/12/2010 | | Posts | : | 164 | | Location | : | Nice, France |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 18:44 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: shagrat57) | | | Those will give you one inch more clearance but they are rather expensive.
Link
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| zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 19:07 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Thatch) | | |
Thatch wrote:
I cannot say enough good things about the Ohlins shocks. ) |
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they still dont state a model on their PDF. which did you go for?
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| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 May 2012 - 20:41 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: zolti) | | | For anyone that wants made to order shocks and want to stay british try maxton, they will make you a shock for your weight and riding style, prices are much the same as WP, ohlins etc but are one off shocks made specially to order, not just adapted to suit with differenent springs.
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 15 May 2012 - 07:31 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: mjgt) | | |
zolti wrote:
they still dont state a model on their PDF. which did you go for? |
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I got the ohlins 36prclb. I don't know the other information that makes them just for the bird (length, valves used, etc). I don't think that is on the box that I got (but I'll check) you could certainly find out from Fast Eddy though.
mjgt wrote:
maxton, they will make you a shock for your weight and riding style, prices are much the same as WP, ohlins etc but are one off shocks made specially to order, not just adapted to suit with differenent springs.
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I can assure you Mj that the Ohlins I got has substantially more done than just a different spring slapped on. The stock shocks were autopsied and all rider numbers and riding style used to find the right shock, valve and spring set-up for the bird. Of course now that we have that only the spring rate and potentially the valves will need to be changed to meet individual riders needs. I'm sure the Maxtons are fine shocks, just pointing out that both companies will create a bespoke shock, but once that basic solution is created modifying it for different riders isn't going to require a complete reworking of the solution. I also don't doubt that some dealers just get the basic measurements, find a shock that works and slap on a heavier or lighter spring and call it good.... thankfully Eddy put in the work needed to get the solution through Ohlins directly and get a complete solution.
Anywho, just clarifying
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| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 15 May 2012 - 20:53 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Thatch) | | | Thatch.
I was not sugesting that ohlins were not as good or not as well made, cos they most certainly are and I know they put the work in before selling a new shock.
My point was that maxton do not use any stock blanks as a starting point but build totally from scratch to suit your needs and if anyone wanted to stick with british designed and built parts these are the ones to go for. Having said that their basic design is based on the Koni dial a ride shocker of the 80's and 90's.
Hagon (formally a girling gas design) on the other hand quite often modify and rework exsisting stock to suit (which is why their pricing is very competetive) but still produce a good shock if not as refined.
So I am not having a go at your choice, I would be very happy with either.
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
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| Thatch | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 15 May 2012 - 22:09 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: mjgt) | | | mjgt wrote:
So I am not having a go at your choice, I would be very happy with either.
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Oh I know you weren't having a go. I was just clarifying as it is more than possible to get a set of Ohlins for any bike from some of their dealers... just pick a shock, get the right length and get the right spring and away you go. I would of had the shocks in a weeks time. I was just explaining that that's not the situation with the tbird Ohlins. They aren't just a Harley shock with a 'personalized' spring. Eddy went through the hard work of making sure they had all the measurements then needed, had a set of stock shocks to 'dyno' and the process took about 2 months to complete so that there was an Ohlins tbird solution, not just a shock that would fit. I had the chance to buy from several dealers that could 'make me a shock' which would of simply been a respring job. We did that just so we'd have the right shock should others want to get them as well. So, no offence taken or perceived just clarifying.
I've no personal experience with Maxon but have heard good things about them and Wilbur (Next to the wilburs the Ohlins almost seem cheap.... well, somewhat reasonable at least)
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| mjgt | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 16/09/2011 | | Posts | : | 2,201 | | Location | : | North Somerset, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 16 May 2012 - 05:42 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Thatch) | | |
| Mick . . . Keep the rubber side down!!
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| Adygold | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 26/01/2012 | | Posts | : | 52 | | Location | : | Australia |
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| | Posted : 25 Jun 2012 - 07:24 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: TraderVic) | | | Hey Trader, I notice you have the progressive shocks on - the ones that aren't actually rated for a tbird. How are you finding them? Did you have to do any mods to get them to fit as apparently they don't quite work correctly when standard which is why you don't get a warranty with them. Do you have the 11.5" shocks and if so do they bottom out at all with a passenger? If you do have the 11.5" how does your bike handle now?
Questions, questions i know but I'm getting mixed messages.
I've been looking for lower shocks for a while so any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers.
A.
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| TraderVic | | Set | | | | Reg. Date | : | 02/02/2010 | | Posts | : | 274 | | Location | : | Manahawkin, NJ, United States |
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| | Posted : 25 Jun 2012 - 12:11 Post title : Re: Lower rear shocks (Re: Adygold) | | |
Adygold wrote:
Hey Trader, I notice you have the progressive shocks on - the ones that aren't actually rated for a tbird. How are you finding them? Did you have to do any mods to get them to fit as apparently they don't quite work correctly when standard which is why you don't get a warranty with them. Do you have the 11.5" shocks and if so do they bottom out at all with a passenger? If you do have the 11.5" how does your bike handle now?
Questions, questions i know but I'm getting mixed messages.
I've been looking for lower shocks for a while so any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers.
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You will find the answers to most of your questions here: Link
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