I run my RKs at about 25. I don't know if any who have done this mod mentioned that with 1 inch higher shock more weight is biased towards the front, and with the stiffer rear more weight is transferred to the front on bumps, so the forks might need some stiffening.

 

Nice job, looks amazing... Congrats... How does she ride now?

 

this will be my free upgrade when the RK gets what it needs !!!

 

Do you have to remove both plugs while you're sitting on it or one at a time? Also, do you have to keep an eye on the holes in case the oil wants to come out when the shocks are compressed? I just finished installing a pair of Road King shocks on my sporty, and it feels more stiff than before, so I'm guessing I have to remove both plugs while sitting on it, right?

PS: I weigh around 120 pounds, could that be causing some of the stiffness?

 

After struggling with the ~13 in. Road King shocks last summer on my 2009, 1200 Low, I installed Drag Specialties Progressive heavy duty shocks of the stock length of 10.5 inches just today. What a difference, longer shocks are not a solution, the geometry of the longer shocks puts too much weight on the front forks and even the heavy-duty progressive springs I added to the front did not solve the problem of the front weight bias caused by the taller rear end. Personally, I don't recommend the Rode King shocks for a 1200 Low, a set of heavy duty Progressive (or other good brand) shocks will perform better.

 

Well thats not the shocks fault, its yours for not raising the front to match the raise in the rear. Raising the rear without raising the front will cause a bike to steer quicker but it may have straight line stability issues. You went from one extreme to the other by now having shorter shocks than OEM. Lowering the rear without lowering the front will make the bike steer slower but may improve straight line stability. When I change heights either front or rear, I change the other end to keep the geometry the same. And it is geometry, changing the geometry of the bike changes its trail which affects steering and stability. Has nothing to do with weight bias.

 

120 pounds? Your screwed, you are WAY to light for these shocks. Im 170 and they are too stiff for me I went as far as using 2 bar clamps to compress the shocks, then installing the plugs so there would be a vacuum in the shock. Still too stiff. The shocks would not compress one iota from me sitting on the bike. And dont worry about spilling oil, if they have the correct amount of oil in them you should be able to completely compress them with no oil coming out. If oil does come out there was too much oil in it.

There is hope though. I got some lowering blocks from DK. Lowering blocks give an extra mechanical advantage over the shock, kind of like having a longer lever to pry something. This mechanical advantage in affect makes the shock seem softer. They are now acceptable and I actually have to put air in them for 2 up riding.

 

Wow............I need to look at the dates of these posts before I go responding

BRING OUT YOUR DEAD

 

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