I'm looking to replace the shocks on my 81 shovel.
I see a couple so far from J&P and Progressive.
Do any of you have any experience with J&P shocks?
They fit my budget better and come 12" or 13.5".
Progressives seem to have a better rep though.
Your thoughts please.

 

Progressive makes good shocks, the shorter ones are more prone to the frame hitting the driveway.

 

The ones I have now are 12".
Ive never had a problem with them.
Are there any concerns I should have going to 13.5"?
Won't that make my rear fender ride higher by 1.5"?
It's already a little high.
And that's with 12s.
Or am I not visualizing this correctly?

 

Replace with 12s and ride on

 

I have no complaints with my Progressive 12 inch 412 shocks. They have been on 10 years now.

 

12 or 12.5, the 13.5 will sit rear weird with the square swingarm, can't judge how it looks when the bikes on the stand, shocks haven't compressed to loaded riding level, like the front end there's a sag spec if they are set right.

Lotta love for Progressive but they ride like a brick to me, stiff as hell unless you do a little digging and drop a $100 on lighter rate springs for them, think I still have a new pr of those, sold the bike before getting around to it.

 

i got a set from The Shock Factory run by Mike Capon,
he will build you shocks to your spec that work as well as Ohlins but at a quarter the price,..
fully adjustable air shocks with infinant pre load settings,
I fitted aset to my 78 fx and it handles fantastically in the twisty bits,
I have had both OEM and Progressive shocks and about all i can say of them is they kept the fender from hitting the tire and not much else,..
check out their site here,.... 2WIN (shock-factory.fr)

 

Yeah........12s have been just fine, even 2 up.
Only reason I was considering 13.5s was I put 13s (REVO-A) on my Road King and love the feel of them.
I'm sticking with 12s.........tx!

 

I have a lot of miles on progressive shocks & fork springs over the decades. Continually updating their products current ones are even better than than anything prior.
412 series are on my shovel, we ride two up mostly and they are a good choice at the price point. They look stock too. Our combined weight without gear is 300 lbs and the standard springs are fine. I carry the adjustment tool, aftermarket one as the included tool sucks. Watch your spring rate.
I also have 444 on my Sporty - like $780 !
They were replacements for a blown 440 purchased in 2009. I probably had only $400 into those 440’s and the 444 is the FREE equivalent lifetime replacement I got in 2019 - keep the receipts - digitize it. I did change from the Heavy duty springs on the old 440 to standard rate on the 444 and for me solo and 2up way better. We were not heavy enough lesson learned for heavy duty springs. The adjustability of the 444 can’t be beat and adjust by hand.
Fork spring kits in both my shovel & sporty are smooth, responsive and reduce dive. I’ve had progressive springs in my 2009 Ultra Classic and another bike and to me it is a must do upgrade.

412 are not warranted for life tho.