2009 Ultra classic rear suspension
#1
2009 Ultra classic rear suspension
I noticed I have to put air in the rear suspension more often than I used to, I checked the fittings with soapy water for leakage, but they look ok, didn't see any damage on the lines ether, what should be the proper diagnostic procedure ? The manual calls for 50 psi when riding two up.
#2
I add air until I don;t feel the shocks topping out or bottoming out- but floating between the stops.
I use the little syringe like pump - A bicycle pump or compressor can blow the seals out.
experiment with different settings- the 09+ shocks can be run at 0 psi for lightweight riders.
don;t forget to take into account the weight of any junk left in teh saddlebags or tourpak-
mike
I use the little syringe like pump - A bicycle pump or compressor can blow the seals out.
experiment with different settings- the 09+ shocks can be run at 0 psi for lightweight riders.
don;t forget to take into account the weight of any junk left in teh saddlebags or tourpak-
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; 05-21-2015 at 12:18 PM.
#3
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AGREE!
I have an 09 FLHTCU and if i reduced air psi in rear shocks so it wouldnt break my back when i hit a moderate bump it bottomed out & when i added enough air to not bottom out it was like you had steel rods for shocks.
I said enough of that and just bought & installed progressive 944's with std springs ,not the heady duty springs.
So far i have only had only 1 chance to test ride new shocks riding 2 up with the wife and factory preload setting wanst that good being a bit on light side making the bike a bit mushy/bouncy handling wise at times.
So i stopped and cranked in 2 full turns additional preload on spring adj and that made the bike a bit less mushy and more stable while also making it a bit less harsh on bumps which surprised me with more preload but was a good surprise.
So on the way home on the 1st testride i cranked in an additonal 1/2 turn down/tighter preload and it was even better yet with 85-90% of the bouncy mushy feeling gone.
So when i got home i cranked in another 1/2 turn preload for now 3 full turns down/tighter additional preload from factory preload setting to see how that does.
So far without having yet finsihed dialing in the preload for best ride & handling riding 2up on my bike with the new prog 944's they seem to handle bumps (esp large harsher bumps) better being less harsh when i hit larger bumps with better dampening too then the inferior stock air shocks did which is am improvement for sure.
I hope the additional 1/2 turn preload i added and have yet to test out will haev the shocks close to or at their sweet spot for best handling without the ride being too harsh .
So far the new 944's seem to be coming in better each time i adj the preload a bit more/tighter and am satisfied thus far with their perf esp being a bit less harsh as not to pound my spine to death with each bump i hit like with stock air shocks when they had enough air in them to not bottom out riding 2 up with combimed 2up wt only being 310-315lbs .
But keep in mind there is no way your going to retain good handling if you install shocks that provide a real comfy cushy soft ride over lrg bumps or swells in the road so what i am saying is the 944's still pass a fair amount of umph to your butt when you hit a lrg bump or swell in the road,its just that by design they can be adj to better handle/dampen the lrg bumps & swell s without transferring as much of the harshness / shocking back breaking type jolt like the stock airshocks do when adj to not bottom out in my case riding 2up.
I considered Ohlin shocks (SP?) but couldnt go the additional $200-250 they cost vs the $589 i paid for the 944's for on ebay.
Scott
AGREE!
I have an 09 FLHTCU and if i reduced air psi in rear shocks so it wouldnt break my back when i hit a moderate bump it bottomed out & when i added enough air to not bottom out it was like you had steel rods for shocks.
I said enough of that and just bought & installed progressive 944's with std springs ,not the heady duty springs.
So far i have only had only 1 chance to test ride new shocks riding 2 up with the wife and factory preload setting wanst that good being a bit on light side making the bike a bit mushy/bouncy handling wise at times.
So i stopped and cranked in 2 full turns additional preload on spring adj and that made the bike a bit less mushy and more stable while also making it a bit less harsh on bumps which surprised me with more preload but was a good surprise.
So on the way home on the 1st testride i cranked in an additonal 1/2 turn down/tighter preload and it was even better yet with 85-90% of the bouncy mushy feeling gone.
So when i got home i cranked in another 1/2 turn preload for now 3 full turns down/tighter additional preload from factory preload setting to see how that does.
So far without having yet finsihed dialing in the preload for best ride & handling riding 2up on my bike with the new prog 944's they seem to handle bumps (esp large harsher bumps) better being less harsh when i hit larger bumps with better dampening too then the inferior stock air shocks did which is am improvement for sure.
I hope the additional 1/2 turn preload i added and have yet to test out will haev the shocks close to or at their sweet spot for best handling without the ride being too harsh .
So far the new 944's seem to be coming in better each time i adj the preload a bit more/tighter and am satisfied thus far with their perf esp being a bit less harsh as not to pound my spine to death with each bump i hit like with stock air shocks when they had enough air in them to not bottom out riding 2 up with combimed 2up wt only being 310-315lbs .
But keep in mind there is no way your going to retain good handling if you install shocks that provide a real comfy cushy soft ride over lrg bumps or swells in the road so what i am saying is the 944's still pass a fair amount of umph to your butt when you hit a lrg bump or swell in the road,its just that by design they can be adj to better handle/dampen the lrg bumps & swell s without transferring as much of the harshness / shocking back breaking type jolt like the stock airshocks do when adj to not bottom out in my case riding 2up.
I considered Ohlin shocks (SP?) but couldnt go the additional $200-250 they cost vs the $589 i paid for the 944's for on ebay.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; 05-21-2015 at 08:37 PM.
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#10
The Harley premium hand adjustable seem to be getting pretty good reviews, except from very light riders.
Easy bolt ons and they need no pump. Their is a hand adjustable **** of the left side that turns to adjust for loads or riding double.
Much smoother, less bottoming out and far better control.
Usually around $300 used on this forum or e-bay or $500 new from discount Harley shops.
Easy install with just two bolts.
Easy bolt ons and they need no pump. Their is a hand adjustable **** of the left side that turns to adjust for loads or riding double.
Much smoother, less bottoming out and far better control.
Usually around $300 used on this forum or e-bay or $500 new from discount Harley shops.
Easy install with just two bolts.