I understand I can stiffen the rear suspension on my Heritage Classic by tightening the shocks.
Any simple ways of doing this or do I need to go to the dealer?

 

There is a special spanner wrench that you use to tighten the preload on the shocks. Costs about $30 but you might be able to let a shop loan one to you.
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Looks like this:

 

YOu also need a 1 1/16 wrench to loosen the locknuts on the shocks.&nbsp\\; Most people mark their shock with a white pen as to where it was at first so they can adjust both evenly. &nbsp\\;

 

I bought my spanner from the dealership for around $7.
The hardest part in adjusting the shocks, is the first time you break the retention nuts loose. They come with loctite on them, so you might have to use a heat gun on them first.
It takes a spanner wrench to turn the shock body after you brake the retention nuts loose and back them off. I use a 1-1/16" open end wrench, that I cut down to 6" long. Not much room under the bike. The further you extend the shocks the firmer they get. Paint a white stripe on the body of each shock, when they are in the&nbsp\\;full open or closed position. Use the stripe to count how many turns you give each shock, to keep them even. They will turn a little over 4 complete turns. I adjust mine while om the jiffy stand.
Tom

 

Thanks guys.
The wife and I are heading out on a&nbsp\\;long trip. So I thought I needed to tighten it up a bit. Given the extra weight of luggage etc.
I loaded it up and did a pre-ride with everything and actually found the suspension to be a bit softer and it seemed to be more confortable the way it is.
Other than the rear sitting a bit lower it seems fine the way it is. No tire rub etc.

 

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I just bought a spanner from the local stealer for $10.95... $30 is really steep!
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Thanks for the thread... I've been meaning to make the adjustment, so I'm going to adjust mine this afternoon.
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Roger