Upgrading Rear Shocks

If I remember right, I think you are riding a standard 83 Venture and not the Royale. If this is so, and your bike hasn't been upgraded, you have an air adjustable shock with no spring. This is why those standard Venture models sat lower than the Royals and were a real b_ _ ta_d to put on a center stand. The most economical solution to this situation is to replace this shock with any year Royale shock and then upgrade the spring with a Progressive spring. The air hose from the Class system can be adapted to the manual schrader valve and the  damper is the same. I have had a Progressive on every Venture I've owned since my 83 and wouldn't be caught without one. It will make your bike stand taller though, if you have short legs.
As one of the other guys made a point to, removing this spring without a special spring compressor can be deadly, don't try it!!! One of the guys in our chapter was a machinist and made one from Progressive's specs that we use on club bikes and just pass it around when we need it. 
But, if you have a Royale then you have a shock with a spring that is air adjustable with the Class system. Then you just need to replace the spring as I mentioned above.
Let me know,........Rick Butler

Last update: 03:39 PM Sunday, September 26, 2004

• Adding Grease Zerks to Early 1st Gen Ventures
• FORK REBUILDING FOR DUMMIES
• SuperBrace Discussion
• Progressive Fork Spring Replacement
• 83-85 Shop Manual Misprint - AntiDive Adjustment
• Loose Damping Bars
• Anti-dive Systems Clarified
• Changing Fork Seals
• Progressive Suspension Rear Shock Part No.
• Get That Superbrace!
• Wobble Testing
• CLASS System Overhaul
• Removing The CLASS System
• Suspension Controller Fix
• Air Suspension Woes
• Poor Handling
• Fixing The Wobble