What's a good replacement shock for a stock dyna

[Iron horse]

I not looking for top of the line $1000 dollar shocks . But I will spend up to $600.

[easyricer]

Even the cheapest of Progressive shocks are better than the most expensive stock Harley shocks. You can order them by length (should you want to lower or raise the rear end as well)
EASY

[iwantalowrider]

A few months ago i replaced my 06 Lowrider shocks with standard spring Progressive 444 (about $450) and have been very happy with them. Like you i didn't want to pay top dollar because i am not trying to canyon-carve-corners with my bike, tend more to cruising with good handling and ride characteristics. I would definitely recommend them.

[04 SE Deuce]

The guys at Ohlins like their most economical emulsion type shocks on the Dyna,  S36E,    HD 216 for 12"  or HD 220 for 13-3/8".      http://www.ohlinsusa.com/harley-davidson     http://www.ohlinsusa.com/files/images/S36E.JPG
The travel listed for the shocks has been increased 10mm,  via shorter bump stop.

Another option would be works performance as they will build shocks for application,  spring rate & damping.

IMO Progressive most of the time is the smallest improvement over stock while spending almost as much as better shocks that have more available spring rates and the versatility of damping changes,  when built or at service time.

Progressive shocks come in 2 springs rates regular and HD which should be called heavy and heavier as they are for 200+lbs and 250+lbs. riders.  They will not change/adjust the damping at all,  it comes one way.  You don't typically service their shocks you replace them.  As a result most of the guys that are satisfied with Progressive's are heavier riders. 

Here's a link to a thread here where a member with a Dyna ended up taking 444's off and putting stock shocks back on:http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,61958.0/all.html

Thread talking about Progressive on touring bike,  hints from experienced guys:
http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,69331.0/all.html

A quality set of shocks is a little like a marriage,  you don't throw them away,  you service/rebuild and go again.  A quality set of shocks like the Ohlins emulsion shocks or the Works Perf. shocks with a spring rate for your rider weight/riding style can have the damping tweeked at service time,  damping adjustments can effect ride quality and travel used/bottoming frequency. 

If your going to step up....take a full step.    Rick

[Jim Bronson]

Progressive shocks come in 2 springs rates regular and HD which should be called heavy and heavier as they are for 200+lbs and 250+lbs. riders.  They will not change/adjust the damping at all,  it comes one way.  You don't typically service their shocks you replace them.  As a result most of the guys that are satisfied with Progressive's are heavier riders. 

Here's a link to a thread here where a member with a Dyna ended up taking 444's off and putting stock shocks back on:http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,61958.0/all.html

  I'm the OP in that thread. I weigh 160# and the ride was awful. Light rider and light bike equals very harsh ride, and I'm sure the heavy duty version would be even worse. Unless you're 200# or heavier, I'd look for something else, unless you don't care about the ride and just want better handling.

[Admiral Akbar]

The rear shocks on my FXDX are about worn out.. Plan to try a set of these..

http://www.ikonsuspensionusa.com/7610-sp14-series-shock-absorbers/

These are really the old Koni's ,,  Their cost is quite reasonable.. They are easy to rebuild / tune..

Max

[speedzter]

And IKON are made in Australia, but you get them cheaper than we do !!

Max, in the past I have had "non-rebuilable" shocks rebuilt.
Do you think it would be worth the cost, as the FXDX shocks do work well ?

[Admiral Akbar]

And IKON are made in Australia, but you get them cheaper than we do !!

Max, in the past I have had "non-rebuilable" shocks rebuilt.
Do you think it would be worth the cost, as the FXDX shocks do work well ?

The DX shock is supposed to be gas charged AFAIK.. Not sure of the exact construction but they look to have sections where they are crimped.. I wouldn't mind rebuilding them if they weren't gas and I could figure out how to get them apart.  They are not bad yet but a looking like they are starting to leak at the shaft.

Max

[speedzter]

The shop that rebuilt my last sealed shock fitted a valve similar to this :
http://www.racetech.com/page/title/SPNV%20Installation
His website says they haven't come across a shock they couldn't rebuild.

[Admiral Akbar]

The shop that rebuilt my last sealed shock fitted a valve similar to this :
http://www.racetech.com/page/title/SPNV%20Installation
His website says they haven't come across a shock they couldn't rebuild.

How do they replace the shaft seal?

Max

[Mountainman streetbob]

Don't overlook progressive 970's.

If you shop around Progressive 970 shocks for under $600. I got mine on ebay for $450 NOS.

I put over 24k on them on my street bob. They tuned great for me at 230# and tuned great for the next owner at 180#

I ordered a set 1/2" longer than stock and set the laden height to where the handling felt best. Lots of supple travel, great dampening and looked pretty good too.

I love the Ohlins but the $$$ is just to rich for my blood.

[speedzter]

How do they replace the shaft seal?  Max

Not sure how they get the shock apart. This is from their web site:

"shock service non-rebuildable
Dismantle and reassemble shock, check all components for wear or damage and replace and/or repair where necessary. Re-oil and re-gas. We convert your shock to fully rebuildable.

Over the years we have not yet found a shock that we can't rebuild. Most modern shocks (let's say from late 80's) are able to be converted into a re-buildable and fully serviceable shock. Some require machining to have them opened and then we install clips and regas valve to complete the job."

[mp]

I've got Progressive fork springs and standard 417 (their cheapest) shocks on my '92 FXRS and couldn't be happier.   I don't weigh 160 lbs and my bike is far lighter than a Dyna and the ride and handling is superb, even with 75,000 miles on these suspension parts.  The ride is taut without being stiff or jarring.  I did finally crank the shocks up to the second setting last year.  Can't remember what I paid, but it was less than $200 for the shocks and the fork springs were less than $100.