Lot's of posts over time about front fork rebuilding, using OEM style parts, or cartridges or parts like Race Tech supplies. I knew of Pro-Action regarding shocks for HD's, but was not aware they made a replacement fork kit that according to them improves ride and the action of the forks. They also have a decent video on their site that walks you through their parts that are supplied, and how to install them. I also have the video below.
I think I may try this kit in my '09 Ultra. As most will agree the older FL front forks are wishy washy at best.
By any chance has anyone used a fork kit from Pro-Action? If you have I'd like your opinion on the results with your bike.
https://street.pro-action.com/store#!/Fork-Kits-&-Parts/c/124221254 (https://street.pro-action.com/store#!/Fork-Kits-&-Parts/c/124221254)
A friend of mine used them in his '17 Ultra Limited. He did a lot of research on different systems and products and chose Pro Action. He was very happy with them for a few years before he sold the bike. He combined them with SuperShox for the rear end.
In order to test them and see if he made the right choice, he purposely rode over a large pothole on his street that he had accidentally hit with the stock set up. With stock, it bottomed, clunked, slammed him and the bike, especially the front end. He thought it might have broken something it hit so hard. He forced himself to ride over it with the new setup, it never bottomed out, no clunk, shockingly smoothe considering the hole. He was quite pleased with his choice.
This isn't some "I heard from a guy who knew a guy", this is straight from him to me.
They don't seem to be outrageously priced either.
Hopefully, if you get them, you find them the same.
That's encouraging to hear. And I know that clunk / bang all too well. It does feel like you broke the triple trees or the frame.
The way they made the dampener with multiple holes probably helps a lot. Also their springs are a higher rate than OEM.
I received my shocks for the '09 Ultra today. Last night is when I saw they had front suspension kits. The web site calls the category Pro Action accessories. So I didn't look initially.
Their shocks do tip the scales in price though.
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The fork kit has a decent price.
I see the shocks are in the premium price range, about on par with the SuperShox, and an upgrade that is a really premium price range, a few hundred more than the top line SuperShox.
I had the ProAction front kit in my old Road King and found that kit superior to my current Legend Axeo which is over double the cost. Their rear shocks are great as well, which I liked better than both Ohlins and Legend.
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I suspect that having both of their products front and rear one may compliment the other. I may get the rear shocks on today or tomorrow and will see how they feel.
A few years back...I went to Bikeweek on a mission to improve my rear shocks. Pro-Action replaced the (less than one year old) Progressives on my FXR while I was at Destination Daytona on a "try'em out and see if you like'em" deal.
HUGE improvement. I've been very happy. They aren't a cheap option but if you are committed to actually RIDING, like I am...they are worth the money.
Thanks for your experience using the Pro Action shocks. I look forward to trying these out.
I looked at the Pro action fork kit but decided to go with Race Tech springs and Ricor intiminators.
I really like the way the valving works in the intiminators , great ride and got rid of the brake dive.
About the same cost as the Pro Action but easier to install.
Also replaced the stock rear air shocks with the Pro Action shocks.
Wow what an improvement, bumps I would cringe and brace myself for i now float over smoothly.
I looked at the Race Tech kit. The highest rate spring they have are 1.0kg/mm, the Pro Action springs are 1.2kg/mm. I like my suspension a bit stiff, so I'll end up getting the Pro Action kit. Stock FLH springs are somewhere around 0.75gr/mm or so.
The shocks I bought have the 140 lb. springs, so they're on the stiff side too.
Race Tech told me they will make any spring rate i wanted.
They probably can. I was going by their listing of spring rates on their site.
I have to give Pro Action an A+ in communication. I ordered the front end kit Friday evening. Today they sent an email stating they received my payment, and will build and ship the kit today or tomorrow.
Also I had asked them Thursday afternoon prior to ordering, a question about the spring rate. He answered me within an hour.
A lot of other companies could take a lesson from these guys in customer support.
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Pro-Action is a great company to deal with. I ran their 11" shocks on the rear of my 07 Road Glide for years. They rode amazing for being such a short shock. I never had to touch them once I installed them. As you know, when ordering they ask you several questions to get them set-up for you.
I recently talked to them to see if they were going to put out a shock for the M8 softails. Unfortunately they are not. They bought a bike and were in development, but their research came back with pretty minimal demand for the softail mono-shock. Too bad. I do plan on ordering their fork kit when I get to suspension upgrades.
Zach
So far they've been easy to work with. And they seem to value their customers or even future customers. When I started shopping for suspension for my 2009 Ultra, I couldn't find one negative comment or feedback on them or their products.
I like that they gave you an answer that makes sense as far as a new Softail shock. Why create an item for what's not needed? Maybe down the road they will as those bikes get more miles on them. They have to justify their expense of tooling or sourcing, design and raw materials to build the shock.
Ohio I totally agree with you, Pro Action is great to deal with! I am sure you will love the fork kit too.
I hope so. They seem to be on the ball with their business.
FYI, if you're rebuilding the front fork tubes on a TC up through I think 2013, it's a good idea to replace these parts as well. These parts fit some other earlier models as well.
(2) 45859-77A piston ring, damper tube
(2) 45875-84A fork tube oil seal
(2) 45405-75A fork tube retaining screw
(2) 45842-77A fork tube seal retaining ring
(2) 45733-48 oil seal, fork bracket bolt
(2) 45845-77 fork cap o-ring
(1) 99340 Bel-Ray 20wt high performance fork oil
Added: I also need to order the slider bushings and the lower bushings.
(2) 45866-84 bushing, slider
(2) 45940-84 lower bushing
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I have an 09 Ultra too. I'm looking forward to your review once you install everything!
Ohio the higher spring rate I understand but what makes their damper rod superior to stock? Most other companies provide an alternative valving set up, gold valves etc, interested to understand their take on improving damping.
If you watch the video, they have more holes, also are up higher in the travel to cause dampening through the travel, and they're a little smaller in diameter. A simple but effective way to change the hydraulic cushion.
This is the dampner for the 2009 Touring bikes. Below that is for the 2004 V-Rod. The V-Rod has dual dampner bleed holes, but low in the dampner.
2009 Touring
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2004 V-Rod
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"He answered me within an hour."
Good to know. I sent Ohlins a inquiry 2 weeks ago, ....nothing.
QuoteGood to know. I sent Ohlins a inquiry 2 weeks ago, ....nothing.
And he wasn't even in the shop. He had apparently left for the day, and still answered me.
Watched the video lol, dunno why I didn't do that to start with 🤣
Sounds like it will improve things, keen to see what you think in practice 👍
And we'll see if that equates to rider satisfaction when I get things installed.
Well, the plot thickens. The 41mm kit arrived, and the dampners are made completely different than shown in the 49mm suspension video. They have a reduced size pair of bleed off holes at the base of the dampner now, much like OEM. Then there are five flat channels that are 0.010" deep, and 1.937" long in the mid area of the dampner replacing the bleed holes that were there.
When I spoke to them just now they said that this method of bleed off in the mid stroke was superior to the holes they previously had there. He also said they reduced the inside diameter of the dampner rod to change how the fluid moved up through there from the bottom two holes. I guess constant R&D is a good sign. It had to cost them to make the change, so I have to assume they did it for improvement. They have to machine the five channels, that takes longer than to drill a hole through the dampner. The rod is meaty, and machined very well.
He did say they had a new video, but hadn't released it yet.
pro action 41mm fork kit - 01.jpg
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Well that is interesting, could well be a better mousetrap so to speak, even keener to see what you think now :teeth:
Yeah, he seemed pretty excited talking about it, George is who I spoke with. Also I forgot to mention the size of the bottom holes, they measure 0.245". I took a few more photos of the rod.
I ordered new bushings for the front end and new bottoming springs. Waiting on those now.
pro action 41mm fork kit - 09.jpg
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Them bits you waiting on......snail mail?
Ohio, I emailed GQ (George) back an forth on these fork kits and whether they would fit my softail, looks like it's a goer for fitment, looking on the parts fiche for 09 baggers and 16 FL softails the bits that matter are the same, the spring rate at 1.2 is fine for my needs as well so no need to mess with that, if your review is favourable it will most likely be the way I go when the time comes.
It'll be some time before I install everything. I always collect what I'll need and then get to it when I can work it in.
Ohio, I ordered a seal installer for my 41mm's, will go an order 2 fork overhaul kits from the dealer in the morning, gotta pay if they have to order in, no trust these days, at this rate ol son I'll have em in before you lol