springs and shocks

If I may add this, and get your view on it.
I have two new sets of HD Imperial Shocks, but they are very hard to extend (easier to compress) One would like them to work more like the front shocks, and not bind against the leaf springs when lifting the chassis?
Or is it the power of the leaf springs simply do the jobb, stubborn shocks or not...
Another set, not HD and cheaper stuff, extend on there own, but are maybe to loose?
This is a Nostalgia Racer, not for the street .
Thank you.