Premium Rear shocks note
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Thanks for posting, I figured I was not the only one. Yeah...bust their chops some about it but it is a simple mistake if not paying attention. Ask me I know.
Old Mike, thanks for posting the link to the instructions, I need to learn how to do that.
I can tell you that mine rode better, your's should also. The way I figure it is if the main fluid housing is upside down, the valving inside is probably exposed to any trapped air volume inside. If so, that would render the compression dampening less effective. Mine bottomed out easily even with the left shock set at 12 turns. It does not do that anymore.
I would like to see a cutaway of the right shock.
Old Mike, thanks for posting the link to the instructions, I need to learn how to do that.
I can tell you that mine rode better, your's should also. The way I figure it is if the main fluid housing is upside down, the valving inside is probably exposed to any trapped air volume inside. If so, that would render the compression dampening less effective. Mine bottomed out easily even with the left shock set at 12 turns. It does not do that anymore.
I would like to see a cutaway of the right shock.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
I bought a pair of the premium take off shocks last year and installed them with the coil end up on both of them. I read that this may be upside down on the right shock. I am confused on what is or is not "upside down" for the right shock. Does anyone have a picture of the right shock showing correct orientation or a description of what is correct. I think my right shock is installed wrong.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Here's a pic of the shock in the "upside down" position. This will make it hard or impossible to attach the backrest. Flipping it over gives the correct clearances. The arrow is pointing at the end of the shock that needs to be at the top.
Last edited by Cygnusx51; May 17, 2017 at 05:35 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
That pic is from the Law Abiding Biker site. Here's a link to the article explaining it and also a video of a guy flipping the shock so everyone can see how easy it is.
https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/upsidedownrearshocks/
https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/upsidedownrearshocks/
Last edited by Cygnusx51; May 17, 2017 at 05:37 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 366
Likes: 59
From: Houston, TX
Thanks. I watched the video and it showed them having to lift the bike from underneath to get the shock to line up at the bottom. I don't have any type of lift....can I safely do this on the kick stand?
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 632
Likes: 282
From: Phoenix, AZ
This is how my right shock is. Ever seen car shocks? They're piston up. I always thought piston down was upside down. Just for S&G I'll swap mine around tonight and see if that helps my ride. Thanks for the tips!
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 632
Likes: 282
From: Phoenix, AZ
"Further information is that Showa, the company that makes the rear shocks, reports that they can be installed either way."
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,001
Likes: 11,441
There is nothing to fix. The shocks can go either way and it has NO effect on ride and performance Putting them on springs down allow a proper fit of some add ons. No HD did not fxxx up and install them upside down. Find the real answer rather than the automatic HD fxxx up stuff.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 157
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA
Are these a lot better than the air ride?
I am right at 300 and the wife is at 125, we ride two up 90%
Are these going to ride that much better than the air ride at 50Psi?
I can see it being smoother for guys that load the bike with 200-300lbs, but not sure about my cargo.
I ask because I don't know, not trying to be a wise guy, thanks
Are these going to ride that much better than the air ride at 50Psi?
I can see it being smoother for guys that load the bike with 200-300lbs, but not sure about my cargo.
I ask because I don't know, not trying to be a wise guy, thanks