Topic: New Shocks Installed.. Progressive 12 Series

[Chris Liston]

Just got my new shocks today.  Got the Progressive 12 series with 95/140 springs on them.  I thought I'd need a compressor but it wasn't needed to installs the springs on the shock bodies.  Going to put them on the bike after work tonight. 

Can't wait to replace the 30yr old crap on the bike.  Probably going to order new Progressive fork springs also. 

Got black shocks and black springs.  I installed the top shroud but I may take it off for a more race look to them.

Chris

[cbjunkie]

keep us posted - I'm looking to do the same for mine (71/750)...

Where did you buy them?

[Chris Liston]

I got them from www.accwhse.com   They are currently on closeout (shocks).  I paid $218 shipped for both shocks and springs. 

[Chris Liston]

WOW,

The CB550 feels like a completely different motorcycle.  Its not even funny how different it feels.  The new shocks are 1" longer than stock so that changes ride geometry alittle but its night and day over the 30yr stock shocks.  I feels so strange riding the bike with actual working shocks installed.  I got so used to riding with the old ones that I now have to almost re-learn how to ride the CB. 

I purchased the 95/140 springs which are the heavy duty springs Progressive offers for the 550.  I may get the standard 75/120 springs in the future.  But for now I'm going to ride with the HD springs and see how I like it. 

The front stock fork springs feel really soft now that the rear is much better.  New fork springs may be in order in the near future. 

So far the only downside I see with the 1" longer shocks is when the bike is up on the center stand; both wheels are on the ground.  I fixed this by putting a 1" high piece of wood under the center when needed.

Chris

[scondon]

            I got the same shocks with the HD springs for my 750. I had to adjust the old shocks all the way up to keep the rear end from "swimming" through turns. I've got the Progressive shocks adjusted all the way down, to start, and the bike feels so much more solid on the road.

            You can try adding some "pre-load" to your front fork springs to stiffen them up a bit. Large metal nuts work well. Progressive actually supplies short lengths of PVC pipe with their springs for this purpose. Just remove the top cap on each fork and add 1/2-3/4" spacer material(nuts,many washers,pipe,etc..). Getting the caps back on will be quite the adventure but you should notice a difference in the front end.

[Chris Liston]

Scondon,  question,  I notice when the shocks/springs are mounted the springs seem alittle loose and have some movement.  Do you notice the same thing.  Once sitting on the bike though they are locked in and don't move.  I've used correct part numbers as per Progressive's website.  Just wondering on your thoughts.  I think the shocks offered for both the 550 and 750 are the same part number just different spring numbers.

[scondon]

I notice when the shocks/springs are mounted the springs seem alittle loose and have some movement.

      I don't notice any "up and down" movement, but I can spin the springs a bit. I wouldn't say that they are "sloppy" loose.

[Chris Liston]

okay, that seems like the same movement that I have.  I can spin the shocks but they have no vertical movement.  I called Progressive today and they said its normal.