Install the shocks upside down, put a quarter in and bounce up and down.

 

you do not need barbed fittings or a mighty vac.

Clip a short piece of the air tubing and insert it in the shock fitting.
Hang the shock upside down.
Blow into the air tubing.
Oil comes out fast.
Repeat a few times.
Use a horse syringe and insert needle in the tubing and fill the shock after you bring it right side up.

 

Hey guys , changed the oil in my shocks, won't go in details since there are many posts about how. I noticed in a few posts that guys were saying one shock had 2 to 3 ounces more than the other. I don't know if this is just a factory glitch or intentional. My shocks had 3 oz difference. They have never been spilt or left open. Could it be that they valve one more than the other ie rebound or compression. Mine are 2010 12 inch shocks. Anyhow I went with 10 oz in each.

 

I might try this with the extra set of touring shocks i have in the shed. Change the fluid in them and then just swap them out.

is 10w what everyone goes for?

 

I used synthetic ATF and it worked excellent for me.

I have another set of shocks and will try some real suspension fluid someday when I have the $$ to waste and try it out.

 

I just crank her down, grab the whole set up and dump in a bucket. Set it back up on the bench and just add oil in the open area. 10 minutes done. Pump the rod a few times to bleed and let sit a few minutes for air to escape if any.

 

No. I worked up to Maxim 20 fork oil in mine (I think) before I felt it was balanced to the spring rate in the 13 inch shocks. A little heavier still might work better in the 12 inch shocks.

Oil viscosity is a tuning tool, you'd do well to use it.

 

Wow, great information guys, thanks.

Wish I'd seen this before I bought my aftermarket shocks.. Significant other
couldn't stand the ride with stock shocks...! :-))

 

Thanks, my wife hates the stock ride when on rough roads and here in SC that's most of the time.

 

I noted how much came out of my shocks when I did this job, and simply put the same amount back in. I went to 15W, and was VERY happy with the results. We are a heavier team, and are mounted on a Street Glide with the 12" shocks. Good use of 45 minutes!