Had these put on my 883c. Really changed the ergos! Now I'm sitting on the bike, not in it, and the seat is far more comfortable. Love the new stance, too, and the ride is terrific! No more bottoming. Thanks, Shawn!
Was planning on having a shop do a lot of my work, but after watching your videos it seems very easy and Ive decided to do it myself now. Just need a motorcycle jack and a few tools. Thank you
Got 130.00 Shocks from Amazon. Installed them with the hardware they provided. These shocks were a great investment. No bottom out. I'm 250lbs so the stock shocks were useless. Great buy from Amazon. And great instructions Shawn👌
Thanks buddy! Used your video to help me install my 13" progressives on my 883 as well! This thing sits way up there now. Worried I might need a new higher kickstand....
Shawn- thank you for the video. As a "soon to buy- buyer" I appreciate your videos on the 883. Oh, one other thing...... FLAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNDERS! Sorry, Had to get that out of the way. Keep up the great videos!
thanks for video.. very good job.. i appreciate your methodology .. very safe, use the right tools, take your time... excellent, will try to do the same
Great video just got a 08 nightster keep bottoming out when I hit a average to decent bump. looking for good pair of rear shocks. My question do u need to change the front suspension as soon as u change the rear or could I wait?
I appreciate the tutorial. I just completed the install of my 412s. My instructions depicted a note at the bottom that stated to "place the shouldered sleeve with the shoulder in towards the motorcycle. This offsets the shock outward." I placed the shoulder on the washer side. I noticed that you put the shoulder on the outside. Am I missing something?
Hey Shawn, Love your videos. I have a 2007 XL883L that I have made into a bagger. Saddlebags are hard leather wrapped by Viking Bags and a batwing fairing that is handlaid fiberglass with full stereo system and 7" screen. Anyway I want to put some progressive shocks on but was wondering if the 13" affected your jiffy stand? Also what size springs did you put on the front? Have a blessed day and keep the videos coming. Thanks
I know this video is old but thank you so much for the clear instructions.. I do have two questions tho, regarding using loctite on the bolts. Do we need to use it? And also for when tightening them, do they have a specific torque requirement? I didnt see it in the manual…
Hey Shawn, Thanks for the video. I just got a 2014 iron and am thinking of ordered the 444s as I will be riding with my wife. I am 5'8, do you think the 13" will make it too high for me?
Hey Shawn, I liked your video about installing the 13 in Progressive shocks on your Iron 883. I have a 2016 Iron 883 that bottoms out occasionally, and I would like to install 12.5 in Progressive standard shocks on the rear. These shocks are listed as compatible with the 2015 Iron 883, but not the 2016 Iron 883. I don't see what the difference is between the two bikes. Should I go ahead and buy them anyway and try to install them? It says they can't be returned if installed. Why won't they fit my 2016 Iron 883?
Shawn, What is the difference between the stock shock length and the 13" Progressives you put on? I have a 1200 Sportster Custom with stock 11 1/2" shocks and was thinking of going slightly longer for more shock travel. You just talked me out of the 430's. 412 it is.
I have the same bike. Why did you choose the 13" over say the 11"? I am toying with purchasing the Progressive 412's but unsure what length to get. Any insight?
Hey Shawn, I'm turning eighteen in a couple of weeks and was planning on getting myself a Harley Iron 883. What are some must-have mods to install on it other than these Progressive shocks? I'm only a beginner and this would be my very first bike
You mentioned you did the shock change on your 1200, was it a 1200c ? I am planning to buy the progressive super duty 444 for my 1200 c and would like to know if the shocks hit the exhaust and whether we need to adjust the belt on that. The 1200 c comes with a 11 inch shock.
hey Shawn Im sorry to bother you because Im sure you are very busy but if there is any way you could answer my question about your jiffy stand on the Iron. Is it an issue now that you installed the 13" shocks on the rear and what length springs did you install in your forks. How much of an improvement did the progressives make. Thanks. You have the job I only dreamed of having. Awesome job. Ride safe
Hey Shawn thanks for the instruction, your video made it quick and easy, just did this to my 11' Superlow, every now and then I would scrape the sidewalk leaving my house or on a high centered speed bump, got real annoying so I'm hoping this does the trick. Question for you about the drive belt tension, in a previous comment you mentioned no adjustment was necessary for your Iron, does this apply to the Superlow as well? Thanks
That's cool that my video help you with your shock install... They should help you with cornering and ground clearance. On my Iron and your SuperLow, the shocks are so short that the swingarm is past the alignment point where the countershaft, swingarm pivot & rear axle are perfectly in a straight line. Because the lower shocks never allow this alignment (the tightest belt tension point during the arch of the swingarm), the specs are slightly tighter than a longer shock model. When we install longer shocks that allow this alignment point to occur, the belt can be too tight. I used the belt tension specs that were listed in my manual for a Sportster model that came with 13" shocks and found that mine was within those specs, so no loosening was required. I don't have my manual with me, or I'd list the specs... I think the model listed in the manual was an 883R or 883LE. Thanks for watching and commenting Brandon!
Thank you for your reply and advise. In your opinion would you argue that fitting the side mount plate would have had no effect on the tension as adjustment bolts were mover moved. Also just want to say love the videos you are doing and I love the 883 iron. My father in law told me to watch your videos which made my mind up to go out and buy one :)
I think I'd put up a fight over this! It's kinda BS, because the service guys opinion is what Harley will go by. Would be any big deal for them to just repair the bike and file a claim. They would get paid to do it. They are just playing motorcycle god! That being said, the belt wasn't too tight was it? That's awesome that you guys enjoy the videos! And really cool that they lead you to the Iron! What a fun bike... Take care and good luck!
Hey Shawn. Great video. I'm thinking of ordering the same shocks for my '15 Iron today. I have a question. Did you need to adjust your belt tension with the increased suspension height?
Yes I did install the fork springs also... The 2011 and 2013 are exactly the same. Here is a link to the video were I installed them: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-KJBKiNVADZc.html Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for posting the video. Did you have to do anything to the belt drive? I have a 04 883 C and would also like to lengthen the shocks. I think I can change the shocks on my own, but I am worried about doing anything with the belt drive.
rhomotor You may or may not have notice that all the Sportsters that have the short 11" shocks have the swingarm past center alignment (pointing up). Center being the point in which the drive pulley, swingarm pivot and rear axle centers are in alignment (straight line) during swingarm travel. Most bikes have shocks long enough that the swingarm is before center alignment and will go past center at some point in the suspension travel. The drive belt (just like a chain) will be at it's tightest when at this center alignment. Because the short shock Sportsters never see this, they have a slightly tighter belt tension. I simply used the belt tension specs used for one of the standard shock Harley's listed in the owners manual. No correction was needed on this Iron or the '07 1200L that I did the same to in 2012... Thanks for watching and commenting!
Well, not exactly... With the angle of the shocks and the arch of the swingarm, it doesn't raise the bike by the same number as the increase in shock length. However, with the shocks and the fork spring kit up front, there was about a 50mm increase in ground clearance. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi. Wondered if you could help me. I brought a brand new iron 883 2 months ago and fitted a side mount number plate on it. It fits on the rear wheel axle nut. No problems with it until I hit a speed bump at 40 mph. Since then I've got an oil leak next to front belt pully. Harley are saying that fitting side mount has pulled the belt to tight and pulled oil seal out of shape and not covered by warranty as I fitted side mount myself. Can you tighten the belt by loosening the axle but with out moving the adjuster bolts?
Hi Andy, That's a bummer that you've developed an oil leak at the countershaft! As the belt would have had tention on the axle, I'm assuming that you just removed the nut on the left side. Removing the axle would have required loosening the tensioners. This should have had no effect on the belt tension! If you've installed longer shocks, this can greatly add tension to the belt! I was lucky that the tension was okay when I installed the 13" shocks, but it's something that has to be checked when performing that mod... About the only way you could have added tension to the belt would have been if the axle rocked back when tightening the axle nut. This would be noticeable by looking at the left tensioner nut. It would not be flush with the end of the swingarm, you would see a gap as if the nut had backed off... My way of thinking is that the countershaft bearing would have had to of failed to add enough pressure to the seal to damage it. It's not going to move in that bearing! Though I have definitely seen those bearings fail due to excessive belt or chain tension on all brands of bikes... If all is cool on your part, I'd go to another dealer, or call Harley-Davidson Customer Service. The number is in your owner's manual. I wish you the best of luck Andy! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great video! getting ready to do the same mod .I'm concerned about the bike leaning too far over on the jiffy stand when Im done. Did you change your stand?
Yes, I ordered a 1 inch longer stand. From 7" to 8"... It did lean over too far and looked strange to me. The stand was from Drag Specialties. Thanks for watching and commenting!
strperman It's pretty straightforward... Just make sure the bike is secured on a good stand or jack, as taking the spring off and on takes a bit if force...
Shawn, how are these shocks holding up? Now that you have had 8 mos with them... is it a huge improvement? Now that I've had my Iron for almost a month I def want to upgrade the shocks first.
After 8 months and around 5K miles, the shocks are doing fantastic. They did take around 500 to 800 to breakin completely. The compression damping was just a tad stiff before then... No complaints whatsoever! Thanks for watching!
Hey Shawn, love your videos! I'm gonna be getting a Harley Iron 883 pretty soon after I get my motorcycle license this summer. I plan on changing out the seat for one that could fit myself and a passenger so that my wife could ride with me every once in a while, and I was wondering if there's anything I'd need to do to the suspension (other than what you've basically done in this video, along with maybe the fork springs) in order to make the ride comfortable enough for two people. I know the Iron 883's have a little bit of a reputation when it comes to riding over potholes and train tracks anyway, so it's not necessarily the 'ideal' bike for riding two-up, but I'm a reasonably small/short dude, and I've fallen in love with the the 883's. haha
Thanks *****! That's cool that you're going to get an Iron! You're going to love it. You can keep the stock suspension and ride two-up if you like the low look. All I do for a passenger is go one click up on the rear springs. I purchased the pillion seat that can be easily added when you want to take a passenger... Thanks for watching and commenting!
Shawn, it's a very informative video. Though I'm not a good handy man (had even troubles to install and engine guard), I think I can do it myself. Will order the shocks soon. Thanks. BTW, did you find out how to replace the license plate, I also don't like it on a side?
Thank you Danny! They are very straight forward to install, you'll do just fine. I did find the parts online. It only took a few parts from a 2012 Iron LE model that came with the center plate. I have yet to install them though... Thanks for watching!
The regular shocks... You had better be 300+ to use the HD shocks, they are VERY shiff! I made that mistake with my '07 1200 Low and they were not useable...
Good choice on the Progressive Suspension stuff... but I was waiting to see you replace the springs... are those the same length as stock? I mean, you didn't rise the front, did you? what's the part number for those progressive rate springs? I need some!
Shawn Smoak hey Shawn ! Great video. My progressive shocks just came in. How did you like yours? Also, how tight did you go after? Great video, I’m not mechanically inclined but I like to do my own work on my Harley Nightster and I don’t want to miss any steps. Thanks!
You know, I actually did. I found that I could order them from a Harley dealer's on-line store back east. The fiche card lists an SE version of the Iron that uses the Euro style that I want... However, I haven't got around to ordering it yet. I'm going to run out of winter and wished I'd done all this, so I need to get on it! Thanks for asking Babakc.
Babakc Here is the link to the on-line parts fiche at Ronnie's Harley-Davidson. partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel.asp?Type=13&make=hdmc&a=856&b=41&c=0&d=-FENDER---REAR
Babakc Okay, the link didn't work correctly! From the link above, select OEM Harley Parts Finder, click on the motorcycle link. From the year selection, choose 2012 and find the XL883N (LE) in the list. From there it's simply listed under Rear Fender...
hey man! i love your videos! thanks for your work on that.. i will get my iron 883 2014 in two weeks! in your video you're saying that you would like to have the european licence plate holder (the centered one). and because i'm looking for the american version maybe you would like to trade with me. of course i would pay a little on top. just tell me if youre interested have a nice day!
Michael Strixner Sorry Michael, but I've already ordered the center plate kit, and someone that wants the side plate kit once I switch over... I really appreciate the offer though! Thanks for watching and congrats on your upcoming new Iron!
bizarre.... I have got the bike buzz at 48, car driver my whole life. I have been watching most of your videos to get on the iron indirectly. So, gonna learn to ride, legal that is here in the UK. Then I aim to buy me a ride, would it be mad to get an Iron first out? Shawn, would that be crazy? by the way, love the side licence plate thing a lot, if I bought one, I would switch it, just reverse of what your doing. I believe the 13" shocks are standard on the UK model, retailing at £6995
That's nice to hear that your going to get into riding! You have no idea how much you are going to enjoy this! The Iron would be a perfect 1st bike. It's very forgiving, but yet can handle whatever you want to do as you gain experience. Plus, they are incredibly fun to ride! I've seen that 13" shocks and center license plates are standard everywhere but the US... Thanks for watching and commenting Alex!
The tools I use at home are mostly cheap tools from Harbor Freight and Sears, with some higher end Allen and Torx socket sets from Cornwell Tools. My work tools are mostly Snap-on and Cornwell... Thanks for watching and commenting Partrick!
Thank you... now I must look If I can order this in germany or over ebay.com I saw also at ebay.com tools from Craftmans and husky realy cheap is this also good stuff to work on my Harley ? In Germany I cant find good and cheap zoll inch tools . Greetz Patrick
Patrick Heinrichs - Now that you reminded me, I do have a bunch of Husky tools in my home box as well... I didn't think about inch tools in Germany, I guess that could be an issue to find. Lol Maybe I should do a video on my home and work tools...?
i know you also did the progressive fork springs....i read some guys online saying when you raise the back you will get death wobble at high speeds, do you think you solved that with the fork spring upgrade?
My 2011 UK spec Iron 883 has 13" long shocks as stock, I believe all EU countries have 13" shocks too. Don't know why the USA spec Iron's have 11" shocks, I'd have a numb bum riding in the UK with 11" shocks, our roads are in a really bad state of repair.
