SuzukiSavage.com - Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks

Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5112 Manteca , CA Gender:	Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks 01/22/17 at 15:02:24 Has anyone removed the spring on a Progressive 444 shock ? Or is this better off done by Progressive ? It has a solid spring keeper with no groove to remove it.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28887 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks Reply #1 - 01/22/17 at 16:25:50 I haven't messed with progressives, but the stock and intruder shocks are like this. You have to compress the springs to get access to the locknut, then the top unscrews. http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?board=tech;action=display;num=1186949485
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Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks
Reply #2 - 01/22/17 at 17:01:54

I have removed the springs from my Progressive 412's....the top plate has a slot that you can slide off sideways once you have compressed the springs. I made a puller that pulls on the top eyelet and pushes down on the spring.

For the ones you describe...you may have to use a spring compressor that pulls from the bottom.

Dave

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Ruttly

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Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks
Reply #3 - 01/22/17 at 17:44:25

I think you guys are right ! I really don't want to scratch these $$$ shocks.
These springs must be for a sportster or somebody that weighs considerably more than I do. Well the bike is getting seat made & paint work done next month(I Hope) maybe I'll just ship them to Progressive and have them put the next lighter springs on them. Other than putting some sticky tires on it I'm trying to put the finished stamp on this project no later than May !

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks Reply #4 - 01/22/17 at 17:56:48 Tell them what you weigh, Sure would suck to learn the Next lightest Are ten pounds less. Might wanna figure out what you have.
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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5112 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks Reply #5 - 01/22/17 at 18:13:13 Yeah bike weight plus my fat azz and see what they say. It's just a little to stiff for my liking. The seat will be a nice & welcome addition .
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks Reply #6 - 01/22/17 at 18:22:19 Do the seat and see?
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Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5112 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks Reply #7 - 01/22/17 at 18:56:52 Think I just might do that JOG
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Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks
Reply #8 - 01/23/17 at 05:22:56

According to Gary_in_NJ.....the damping in the Progressive shocks might be too stiff for our light bike. Changing to lighter springs might not change the ride much.

I did the same thing on my Progressive 412 shocks that are for a Sportster......and I went to the lightest spring they make. The ride is a little better - but certainly not cushy.

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Gary_in_NJ

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Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks
Reply #9 - 01/23/17 at 06:29:14

Dave wrote on 01/23/17 at 05:22:56:
According to Gary_in_NJ.....the damping in the Progressive shocks might be too stiff for our light bike. Changing to lighter springs might not change the ride much.

I did the same thing on my Progressive 412 shocks that are for a Sportster......and I went to the lightest spring they make. The ride is a little better - but certainly not cushy.

The only data I could find on Progressive's website says that:

"444 Series shocks are available in 2 configurations: Standard (Up to 250 lbs.) and Heavy-duty (250+ lbs.)"

I have no idea what this means. What is the 250 lbs. relative to; the rider, the weight of the bike at the rear axle? If it's the rider, certainly the requirements for a 150-170 lbs rider are different than the requirements for a 220-250 lbs rider. Why doesn't this spec take into consideration the sprung weight of the bike itself?

Ruttly, I believe that your bike is modified and has a significantly lighter rear and the front:rear weight distribution has been moved forward. For your reference, my bike is running 80-100 lb-in dual-rate springs.

If you are having the springs changed, you might as well make sure that the damping (valving) is correct for the springs and expected rate of movement. If the damping has been set for a 500 lb Harley, the damping will be too firm (slow to react in both directions) for your modified 300 pound LS650.

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Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks
Reply #10 - 01/23/17 at 07:08:41

I haven't looked at any of the new catalogs, but the old ones listed all of the different models and spring rates for each one.

verslagen1 wrote on 10/15/12 at 14:52:44:

progressive suspension makes a couple for the sportster that work.

I used the 11" for an extra 1/2" of travel.

412-1005 for about $150 if you're under 200#
412-4233 if you're over or ride double.

They make a metric adapter for them, but a .030" wall tube with the right ID is all you need to adapt them to the savage.

Now if you want posh for the over 200 crowd

440-4022

The superslab that I travel on has bumps that I needed to stand up to get thru. with the 440's I'm sitting the whole way.

If I remember correctly, the spring p/n ends with 1313.

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Kenny G Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com The Singles Club...LOL Posts: 1754 Robson Ranch, Denton, Texas Gender:	Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks Reply #11 - 01/23/17 at 07:25:07 Verslagen, With the 11" shocks how much modification is required for the belt to tension correctly? What else needs changed to use the 11" shock? Kenny G
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hotrod Senior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 326 NC Gender:	Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks Reply #12 - 01/23/17 at 09:01:31 Don't hesitate in calling Progressive directly . They are usually very helpful on the phone, and have all the bushings you may need.
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verslagen1

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Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks
Reply #13 - 01/23/17 at 09:27:16

Kenny G wrote on 01/23/17 at 07:25:07:

Verslagen,

With the 11" shocks how much modification is required for the belt to tension correctly?

What else needs changed to use the 11" shock?

Kenny G

It only changes the height by a 1/4" and likely disappears when you sit down.
You'll have to check to your own satisfaction, but I didn't change a thing.

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philthymike

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Re: Changing springs on Progressive 444 shocks
Reply #14 - 01/23/17 at 09:41:06

Kenny G wrote on 01/23/17 at 07:25:07:

Verslagen,

With the 11" shocks how much modification is required for the belt to tension correctly?

What else needs changed to use the 11" shock?

Kenny G

I put 11" progressives on and the difference isn't much. The back tire is still within the rear fender. Belt, belt guard and bolt clearance is fine.

Mine are stiff so I don't get very much change when I sit on it. the most noticable difference in handling is in wet weather the extra weight on the front wheel makes a big improvement.

As for the ride it's like mentioned above, the bike can eat wholesale moon craters on the highway now. At low speeds it's not as cushy as before.

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