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Received my new HD357's from Howard at MotorcycleMetal yesterday and went immediately to work installing them. Not quite the two bolt job as my previous shocks. The remote reservoir requires a bit of customizing of a bracket to mount it to the saddlebag supports. It's a stainless steel angle bracket that none of my damn drill bits would make a dent in, even with my $70 Amazon drill press. Eventually I gave up and made a 9pm ride (on my Dyna) to Home Depot for a new set of hardened steel bits.
Well, its clear how bad my bits were cause the new bits went right through. Needed 4 1/4" holes to line up with the existing holes in the support, and for the reservoir standoffs. Once I was done drilling, the bracket went on easy and I was done.
Amazingly the spring rate was spot-on, needing no preload to get to the target 30% mounted sag. The tie-wrap measurement of total travel is also exactly where it needed to be. Never had such an easy time setting up a shock.
I'm sure once the springs break in I may need to add a little preload, but that's to be expected.
Results: A huge upgrade over the already excellent STX36's I had on originally. I'm not one to get too descriptive, but it just felt great on a two hour mixed road ride today. Love them. Howard did a great job setting them up perfectly, out of the box. Once I get 500 or so miles on them i'll start messing around with the compression and rebound adjustments, maybe.
Great shocks Howard, thanks again!
Last edited by Mchad; Nov 3, 2017 at 04:00 PM.
Reason: Changed incorrect model number from 367to 357
That's an awesome setup. I hope to upgrade to those at some point.
Howard Messner @ motorcyclemetal.com is the guy to deal with. Forum discounts, and the best at this business. These arent standard issue Ohlins shocks. He opens each up and customizes the valving based your specific needs and his years of experience with Ohlins and Harley integrations.
Been using Ohlins for many years on previous brands (mostly BMWs). On my first HD, a 08 FXD, I bought Ohlins from an online reseller, and while they were great, the next set I bought for my 15 Low Rider from Howard were demonstratively better then the box-stock shocks.
Cant recommend the guy enough. Some say hes tough to deal with, but that only if you have a fluffy, teddy bear personality that need continuous *** kissing from vendors. He says it like it is, and doesnt coddle customers like some expect. I learned enough from one conversation with him then I did from all my internet reading.
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Installed new shocks last night
