Installation Instructions 430 Series Rear Shocks
ATTENTION Statements in these instructions that are preceded by Important Notice the following words are of special significance: Note: Please read the following instructions completely W a r n i n g before starting installation!
This means there is the possibility of injury These shocks can be mounted with the adjuster at the top or bottom. However, we recommend the shocks be mounted to yourself or others. with the adjuster at the top for ease of spring adjustment.
C a u t i o n Follow instructions in an authorized shop manual or take the This means there is the possibility of damage motorcycle to a competent dealer. to the motorcycle. Note W a r n i n g Information of particular importance has been placed in italics. The motorcycle must be securely blocked to prevent it from tipping over when the shocks are removed. Failure to do so can cause serious damage and/or injury. Warranty Progressive Suspension warrants to the original purchaser of The use of lowering blocks on Progressive Suspension this Part to be free of manufacturing defects in materials and shocks is not recommended. Use of a lowering kit may workmanship with a limited lifetime warranty. In the event void the warranty or damage the shock/motorcycle. warranty service is required, you must call Progressive Suspension immediately with a description of the problem. Progressive Suspension shocks are designed to work on the OEM (Original Equipment) frame and swingarm. Use of If it is deemed necessary for Progressive Suspension to make these shocks on a frame or swingarm other than OEM may an evaluation to determine whether the part is defective, a produce an unsatisfactory ride and void the warranty. return authorization number will be given by Progressive Suspension. The parts must be packaged properly so as to Make sure that proper bushings/sleeves are installed in the not cause further damage and returned prepaid to shocks. Improper bushings/sleeves can cause unsatisfactory Progressive Suspension with a copy of the original invoice and/or unsafe operation (see the instructions packaged of purchase and a detailed letter outlining the nature of the with the mounting hardware). problem. If after the evaluation by Progressive Suspension the part was found to be defective it will be repaired or Be sure to refer to instruction supplements replaced at no cost to you. If we replace it, we may replace it with a reconditioned one of the same design. provided in any included mounting hardware
Progressive Suspension shall not be held liable for any consequential or incidental damages resulting from the Installation failure of a Progressive Suspension part. Progressive Suspension shall have no obligation if a part becomes 1. Place a quality jack or sufficient blocks under the defective as a result of improper installation or abuse. motorcycle to securely lift the rear wheel slightly off the ground.
2. Using the correct shop manual for your bike, remove the old shocks and note location of mounting hardware. If Warning additional accessories are installed on your motorcycle, Lowering your motorcycle will decrease initial ground please refer to their mounting instructions for removal to clearance. The motorcycle will be lower to the ground and gain access to your shocks. care should be taken to avoid bottoming, especially over bumps or in turns. Lowering a motorcycle can change the handling characteristics. Always use extreme caution when riding after a change is made and take time to get accustomed to any handling change. 3. Before installing your new Progressive shocks you need to check the tire to fender clearance, making sure that the tire does not come in contact with the fender. If the rear fender or tire has been changed to anything other than stock, a travel limiter may be required. On some models with side bags or luggage, the bag or luggage mounts may need to be modified to eliminate any interference. Install the shock assemblies onto the motorcycle with the included hardware, note any special instructions in the hardware kit. Tighten bolts / nuts to their proper torque. Check the clearances of the shock to the frame, shock to chain or belt, shock to chain or belt guard and shock to brake caliper and/or linkage. See arrows in Fig 1 , check both sides.
C a u t i o n 4. Reinstall any accessories removed in accord with their mounting instructions. Make sure accessories do not interfere with the shocks throughout their full travel. If any accessories bolt to the shock mounting points, a careful inspection must be make to insure that they do not bind the shocks in any way. Shock mounts should have a minimum clearance of .02” to inure the mounts are not binding. See Fig 2. Fig1 5. Set your ride sag. The proper spring pre-load setting will permit the rear suspension to sag, or compress, approximately 1” from full extension. To check sag, take a measurement from the center of the rear axle, straight up to a vertical point on the rear fender or frame with the shocks fully extended. Then take a second measurement using the same points with the rider(s) on the bike. The difference between the two measurements is the ride sag. If the bike is sagging too much, increase the pre-load. These shocks are set at the factory to minimum pre-load.
6. Spring pre-load adjustments are made by turning the Upper (Long) Cover. Turn this adjuster clockwise to increase spring pre- load and counterclockwise to decrease spring pre-load. Below the body protector, there are 4 grooves, these are pre-load reference marks: Minimum pre-load = 4 visible grooves Fig 2 Maximum pre-load= No visible grooves. Set the pre-load equally on both shocks using these reference marks as your guide. See Fig. 3
NOTE: The adjuster is a threaded device, so if you rotate the Adjuster (Upper Cover) fully to the minimum or the maximum setting, you will feel a sudden increase in rotational resistance as you Increase reach the end of the range of adjustment. This sudden increase in resistance is the adjuster tightening against its stop. When you feel this, we recommend that you turn the adjuster back from the stop by approx ¼ turn. This will facilitate easy adjustments in the future. If the adjuster is tightened firmly against the stop, either at minimum pre-load or maximum, you may have difficulty re-adjusting the pre- load by hand. Should this occur the use of a strap wrench or similar tool will give you the needed leverage to rotate the adjuster away from its stop and return it to normal operation
7. Test ride: If excessive bottoming occurs you need to increase your Reference Marks spring pre-load setting as described above. Fig 3 8. Then ride and enjoy.....Safely.
Compliment your new shocks with a set of Progressive Suspension fork springs. Installation Instructions 430 Series Rear Shocks For Harley Davidson Motorcycles
ATTENTION Important Notice Statements in these instructions that are preceded by the following words are of special significance: Note: Please read the following instructions completely before starting installation! W a r n i n g These shocks can be mounted with the adjuster at the top or This means there is the possibility of injury bottom. However, we recommend the shocks be mounted with the to yourself or others. adjuster at the top for ease of spring adjustment.
Follow instructions in an authorized shop manual or take the C a u t i o n motorcycle to a competent dealer. This means there is the possibility of damage to the motorcycle. W a r n i n g Note The motorcycle must be securely blocked to prevent it from Information of particular importance tipping over when the shocks are removed. Failure to do so can has been placed in italics. cause serious damage and/or injury.
The use of lowering blocks on Progressive Suspension shocks is Warranty not recommended. Use of a lowering kit may void the warranty or Progressive Suspension warrants to the original purchaser of damage the shock/motorcycle. this Part to be free of manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship with a limited lifetime warranty. In the event Progressive Suspension shocks are designed to work on the OEM warranty service is required, you must call Progressive (Original Equipment) frame and swingarm. Use of these shocks Suspension immediately with a description of the problem. on a frame or swingarm other than OEM may produce an unsatisfactory ride and void the warranty.
If it is deemed necessary for Progressive Suspension to make Make sure that proper bushings/sleeves are installed in the shocks. an evaluation to determine whether the part is defective, a Improper bushings/sleeves can cause unsatisfactory and/or return authorization number will be given by Progressive unsafe operation (see the instructions packaged with the mounting Suspension. The parts must be packaged properly so as to hardware). not cause further damage and returned prepaid to Progressive Suspension with a copy of the original invoice Be sure to refer to instruction supplements provided of purchase and a detailed letter outlining the nature of the problem. If after the evaluation by Progressive Suspension in any included mounting hardware the part was found to be defective it will be repaired or replaced at no cost to you. If we replace it, we may replace it with a reconditioned one of the same design. Installation Progressive Suspension shall not be held liable for any consequential or incidental damages resulting from the 1. Place a quality jack or sufficient blocks under the motorcycle to failure of a Progressive Suspension part. Progressive securely lift the rear wheel slightly off the ground. Suspension shall have no obligation if a part becomes defective as a result of improper installation or abuse. 2. Using the correct Harley Davidson shop manual for your bike, remove the old shocks and note location of mounting hardware. If additional accessories are installed on your motorcycle, please refer to their mounting instructions for removal to gain access to your shocks.
Warning 3. Before installing your new Progressive shocks you need to check Lowering your motorcycle will decrease initial ground the tire to fender clearance, making sure that the tire does not clearance. The motorcycle will be lower to the ground and come in contact with the fender. If the rear fender or tire has been care should be taken to avoid bottoming, especially over changed to anything other than stock, a travel limiter may be bumps or in turns. Lowering a motorcycle can change the required. On some models with side bags or luggage, the bag or luggage mounts may need to be modified to eliminate any handling characteristics. Always use extreme caution when interference. Install the shock assemblies onto the motorcycle with riding after a change is made and take time to get accustomed the included hardware, note any special instructions in the to any handling change. hardware kit. Tighten bolts / nuts to their proper torque. Check the clearances of the shock to the frame, shock to chain or belt, shock to chain or belt guard and shock to brake caliper and/or linkage. See arrows in Fig 1 , check both sides.
C a u t i o n 4. Reinstall any accessories removed in accord with their mounting instructions, while watching for possible clearance issues. The bushings in the shock eyes are designed to allow a certain amount of rotation and deflection necessary for proper operation, and binding and/or metal-to- metal contact must NOT occur throughout this range of movement. If any accessories bolt to – or near – the shock mounting points it is crucial that there is no metal to metal contact with a minimum clearance of .02” from the shock be maintained through its range of motion to insure no binding or contact occurs.
Note: Due to assembly requirements, the bump rubber and washer on the shock shaft are positioned where the washer may rattle slightly. A few miles of normal riding will position the washer where it will cease to rattle. The rattle (if any) will not damage or have any adverse effect on the shock.
5. Set your ride sag. The proper spring pre-load setting will permit the Fig1 rear suspension to sag, or compress, approximately 1” from full extension. To check sag, take a measurement from the center of the rear axle, straight up to a vertical point on the rear fender or frame with the shocks fully extended. Then take a second measurement using the same points with the rider(s) on the bike. The difference between the two measurements is the ride sag. If the bike is sagging too much, increase the pre-load. These shocks are set at the factory to minimum pre-load.
6. Spring pre-load adjustments are made by turning the Upper (Long) Cover. Turn this adjuster clockwise to increase spring pre-load and counterclockwise to decrease spring pre-load. Below the body protector, there are 4 grooves, these are pre-load reference marks: Minimum pre-load = 4 visible grooves Maximum pre-load= No visible grooves. Set the pre-load equally on both shocks using these reference marks as your guide. See Fig. 2
NOTE: The adjuster is a threaded device, so if you rotate the Adjuster (Upper Cover) fully to the minimum or the maximum setting, you will feel a sudden increase in rotational resistance as you reach the end of the range of adjustment. This sudden increase in resistance is the adjuster tightening against its stop. When you feel this, we recommend that you turn the adjuster back from the stop by approx ¼ turn. This will facilitate easy adjustments in the future. If the adjuster is tightened firmly against the stop, either at minimum pre-load or maximum, you may have difficulty re-adjusting the pre-load by hand. Should this occur the use of a Increase strap wrench or similar tool will give you the needed leverage to rotate the adjuster away from its stop and return it to normal operation
7. Test ride: If excessive bottoming occurs you need to increase your spring pre-load setting as described above.
8. Then ride and enjoy.....Safely.
Compliment your new shocks with a set of Progressive Suspension fork springs. Reference Marks
Fig 2
Learn more about other motorcycle suspension parts by Progressive Suspension on our website.