GUEST? Registration opens up many more resources which are not available to guests. Registration is free, we never sell or give others access to your information.
Posted by Trall
- July 09, 2018, 10:42:29 AMQuote from: Tedsdrifter1500 on June 05, 2018, 16:44:39 PMFollowing up with my shorter shocks. DO NOT USE if riding two up!!!!! Did some damage to my fender before I noticed this. Went back to stock length and even a bit more to be safe, 13.25" eye to eye length. The shorter shocks are fine if you only use solo seat.
Good heads up for everyone about not using shorter shocks. Sorry to hear about your fender damage.
Posted by CousinVinnie
- July 07, 2018, 23:17:24 PMhad Progressive 440 on my Drifter for many years and could never get them to adjust. It was always like riding a hard tail. Went back to the OEM shocks and am much happier. Sent the Progressives to the factory and they wont tell you what went wrong. It took superhuman effort for them to turn and no matter what setting I used they were stiff as rocks.. PS I weight 300 so they should have moved!
Posted by Tedsdrifter1500
- June 05, 2018, 16:44:39 PMFollowing up with my shorter shocks. DO NOT USE if riding two up!!!!! Did some damage to my fender before I noticed this. Went back to stock length and even a bit more to be safe, 13.25" eye to eye length. The shorter shocks are fine if you only use solo seat.
Posted by Tedsdrifter1500
- May 15, 2018, 12:57:54 PMI listed these in the other Shocks Question. Purchased off of Ebay. Will advise as I get them, ride with them awhile, and give a review with pictures. This is a search you can use to find them.
KAWASAKI VN1500 VULCAN NOMAD DRIFTER 12.25" BLACK SHORTY SHOCKS
Posted by thenemos
- May 04, 2018, 12:01:11 PMAnyone successfully go with a shorter shock, between 12-12.5"?
Posted by drifter-paul
- November 03, 2017, 04:14:57 AMI have a friend who specialises in Goldwing problems, and whose abilities and skills I am confident in. She has had ill health recently, and has not been able to start the job, however she believes she can do this having done other non-re-buildable shocks.
I will post the process here, when she is able to do it. 
Posted by Bucko
- November 03, 2017, 02:32:07 AMQuote from: Moose on October 30, 2017, 16:07:51 PMThis is the first that I've heard Drifter shocks can be rebuilt although I know other non rebuildable motorcycle shocks that have been rebuilt. I'd like to know more about what's involved in rebuilding these shocks if anyone has information.I need to find me a friend like that. I've asked around quite a bit and only hear "Can't rebuild them" though I've read of them being successfully rebuilt from forums etc.
Posted by Moose
- October 30, 2017, 16:07:51 PMQuote from: drifter-paul on October 22, 2017, 02:45:24 AMI need to find me a friend like that. I've asked around quite a bit and only hear "Can't rebuild them" though I've read of them being successfully rebuilt from forums etc.These are my 3 position dampening Hagon with "Fatboy" stainless tops
Been happy with them for over 40K kilometers
Waiting on a friend to re-build my original OEM
Posted by Moose
- October 30, 2017, 16:04:13 PMQuote from: Pilgrim on October 20, 2017, 20:03:35 PMWhich model of progressives did you get? Sounds awful.My progressives ride like a hardtail..
Posted by indue
- October 22, 2017, 17:29:24 PMOne thing i've noticed is that the bike no matter what you do has a "hardtail" feeling to it. I think part of that fact is because it has a driveshaft. There is more movement to the swingarm with either chain or belt. In other words, when the bike goes over a bump or rut, it does not have that "give" that the alternative belts/chain does. Plus, it is also a very old design of driveshaft as the new Moto Guzzi's/BMW's have a more "articulating" driveshaft-if that makes sense-But I can tell you, if you keep it up maintenance wise, it is very reliable.
Posted by drifter-paul
- October 22, 2017, 02:45:24 AMThese are my 3 position dampening Hagon with "Fatboy" stainless tops
Been happy with them for over 40K kilometers
Waiting on a friend to re-build my original OEM
Posted by CDNRatMan
- October 20, 2017, 22:10:10 PMthey would ride fine if you weighed more than a damp sponge.....
Posted by Pilgrim
- October 20, 2017, 20:03:35 PMMy progressives ride like a hardtail.. 
Posted by chief
- October 20, 2017, 16:16:17 PMI put the 440's on... maybe 10 years ago... doing fine. Although, we don't ride two up on the drifter anymore, so they are likely overkill.
Posted by Moose
- October 20, 2017, 14:16:50 PMQuote from: indue on October 19, 2017, 13:58:21 PMDamn those are great looking too! I will definitely look into those. Thanks for the info.I went with Hagon. They make 3 models for the Drifter. From the simple predetermined damping/adjustable preload, to the model I used with 4 position damping and the top of the line which has outside reservoir with compression, preload and damping. As I recall, they are less in price than the Progressives'. They made quite a difference in the ride of my bike.