[dlare]

After a lot of searching and research, I bought a set of Progressive 12 series shocks and matching springs for the back of my 650.

They are part number 12-1205B and I used the heavy duty version of the springs...part number 03-1368B since I ride 2-up about 25% of the time.

They're roughly the same length as the OEM shocks and have the clevis mount at the bottom end so they basically fit right in. The gotchas...the bushing in the top eyelet is too large diameter, and the spread of the clevis is a little too wide.
Too solve the top end issue, I pressed the bushing and sleeve out of the OEM shock and pressed it into the eyelet on the Progressive. For the bottom clevis, U just used the two washers to take up the space in the clevis.

Up front, I removed the 7.5" OEM spacers, and replaced them with 4" springs + 3.5" PVC spacers. Then I drilled/tapped the fork caps, screwed a push-fit tube fitting into each, and ran lines up to a Shrader valve T from an air shock kit (Advance Auto). I installed the Shrader valce in the glovebox and also plumbed in a pressure gauge to keep an eye on things. Gonna try 10 psi for a while to see how she works.

Deano

 

[dlare]

Here's some pics of the shocks and the air fork fill/gauge.

Results:
Front is much more compliant over medium to large bumps. Floats over small bumps. I had already "upgraded" to 15W fork oil a while back.

Rear is a little stiff riding single. But loaded or two-up, the rear is also very smooth over small bumps and has better damping over the heaves and other sharper bumps in the road.

Overall, a good improvement over the stock setup.

Deano

 

[MacDoc]

What was the cost of this?? Thanks - I would have my mechanic do - he is a race tech so quite capable but if you could state parts cost and approximate time would be helpful thanks.

 

[dlare]

What was the cost of this?? Thanks - I would have my mechanic do - he is a race tech so quite capable but if you could state parts cost and approximate time would be helpful thanks.

The cost of the shock bodies was around $140, and the springs $56.

The fork plumbing I already had here, except the Shrader valve kit, which I got for around $15 at Advance Auto.

Dean

 

[Chérie]

The cost of the shock bodies was around $140, and the springs $56.

Dean

$206.00 this for one rear shock or for pair ?

 

[MJR]

$206.00 this for one rear shock or for pair ?

Guessing pair based on the price and use of (s).

 

[dlare]

$206.00 this for one rear shock or for pair ?

Grand total from Dennis Kirk.

 

[Flywheel]

$206 is a real steal for those rears. While I'm not unhappy with the Ikons, they were about twice the cost and still needed adjustment to fit properly.

 

[Chérie]

$206 is a real steal for those rears. While I'm not unhappy with the Ikons, they were about twice the cost and still needed adjustment to fit properly.

Yes agree, here pay $500.00 -$600.00 plus taxes. Perhaps more.



Me like new automatic corrector, it eliminate many error for me.

 

[Profe]

How do you mount the springs? Or if you order both shocks and springs, do they come already assembled?

 

[Profe]

I found out about how to mount the springs. It takes a special tool. I wonder if an auto shop could remove the bushings from the OEM shocks, install the bushings and add the springs?

 

[MJR]

I found out about how to mount the springs. It takes a special tool. I wonder if an auto shop could remove the bushings from the OEM shocks, install the bushings and add the springs?

The stock ones are easy, adjust the tension all the way down, press down on the top collar (requires some effort), slide out the retainer, and then take the collar and spring off. I'm not sure if the Progressive one are the same though. I would imagine any competent shop should be able to do the work.

 

[Profe]

How easy is it to remove the bushing? How easy is it to insert in the progressive shock? How much better is your ride now?

 

[dlare]

Springs and shocks come separately. Just slide the springs over the shock body, slightly compress the spring, and then slide the top retainer over the shaft and slowly release the spring so it seats on the retainer. I compressed the springs by hand.

Dean

How do you mount the springs? Or if you order both shocks and springs, do they come already assembled?

 

[Profe]

Thanks! I ordered my shocks and springs this morning. They should be here in a couple days. Sounds like I should be able to do it myself. I'll post update, with pics later! Safe riding!

 

[dlare]

One thing I just remembered...
To the top mount, I also added the some washers (pink in my illustration below) (don't remember what size washers) over the spacer tube that goes thru the top rubber bushing. I did this just to make sure the rubber bushing doesn't float out of the eyelet. Maybe I'm being over cautious but I did it anyway. I think the top metal eyelet on the progressive is a little narrower than the stock. I filed the holes in the washers a bit to make sure they ride loosely on the metal spacer tube. I used a little piece of tape to hold them in place (and make sure they stayed on the spacer tube) as I put the shock up into position and tightened the nut.

Dean

 

[westgl]

I have the Progressive shock series #412 on my Burgman 650.

I have had them on for over a year now.

They are the same as the series #12 except the series #12 you have to buy the shock and springs separately and assemble them your self.

The series #412 they come complete with the spring and are already assembled and they do come as a pair, and some washers, and spacers/reducers, and a wrench for adjustment of the spring.

I have the standard spring, and i have it on the Lightest setting, and it is just right for me, I have had both, my wife and i and the lightest setting is just right.

The heavy duty spring i am afraid would be way too much for a 500-lbs bike,

The standard spring would be fine, for (200-Lbs) you, the (125-lbs) wife (give her a break it her birthday) and maybe 100 -Lbs of stuff you loaded on it.

This is a 14" long Shock.

NOTE NOTE!!!!!!!
You have to cut off the lower Mounting bracket, then fab the bottom mounting bracket and weld it to the lower shock.

If you do a search you will find some other post's i have made and other's.

The washers for the top mount come with the shocks

Note:
Do Not get the Heavy Duty spring, (it is for severe application's on a 700-Lbs Goldwing, meaning it is way over loaded) This shock with the standard spring is More than satisfactory for a bike this size even at Maximum capacity.

These are made for a 1986' Goldwing, at least that is what i have another pair of them on, that bike is 700-Lbs just the bike and the standard spring are just right

The Heavy duty springs will make your ride very stiff, as they are for a 1000-Lbs bike, that is Bike Only, not to mention all the weight you and your stuff will add to it.

You can get them through amazon for $225.00 + free shipping

 

[westgl]

I have a nice shop so fabing some brackets and installing them is less than an hour job,

then just paint the welded area.

When Welding care need to be taken these are high pressure nitrogen filled shocks so they have to welded with care.

But these shocks, Provides a very comfortable, Much Improved ride, and my bike fells like the rear tire has more contact with the road, that means better handling.

A very Noticeable difference,

I did the race tech front suspension, gold emulators and race tech springs, yea the race tech stuff helped a little but the bigest improvement was the Rear Progressive shock.

You wont believe how lousy the OEM stock rear shocks are till you have these on your bike.

My bike only had 13K miles on it when i change mine out, the stock shocks felt WORN OUT.

That is because these shocks are very cheap, Suzuki saved money here, the OEM rear shock only Dampen in ONE Direction, rebound, there is no compression dampening to that shock and it is not a Nitrogen filled shock,

nor does it have a Progressively would spring, that soaks up all, light medium of heavy loads

the OEM spring is a continuously wound spring the same compression at beginning middle and end, It's Made Very Cheap.

 

[Profe]

Thanks for info

 

[ErikDK]

Thanks westgl for warning against to hard springs.
My Hagons came with 4 spacers under each spring, and are suited for a whole family riding the Burgman at once, so the only cushioning comes from the car tire I'm running in back.
The spring is so loaded that I can't compress it enough to release the collar and take out the unnessescary spacers.