3-3s
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Used the straight edge and also mounted the bottom part of the shock first then rotated it up to the top and I was off also there by 1 spacer....
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 61
Likes: 9
From: Northern Illinois
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
It worried me as well. I looked at it like 20 times before I torqued them down the last time...I just wanted them to be in a natural position going straight up n down and not look like they were binding... It sounded complicated but I guess makes sense the way Howard explained it because you want them to be as straight up as possible... When I look at them from the back side of the bike they look to be very symmetrically installed.
I wish he had a video on his website showing this...The bottom bolt installed I guess is as 90 degree as it gets, then you use the surface of the threads as a straight area to use the straight edge... Assuming your straight edge is actually straight.. then it would go 100% 90 degree up...fill the gap with a spacer if there is one...
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 61
Likes: 9
From: Northern Illinois
It worried me as well. I looked at it like 20 times before I torqued them down the last time...I just wanted them to be in a natural position going straight up n down and not look like they were binding... It sounded complicated but I guess makes sense the way Howard explained it because you want them to be as straight up as possible... When I look at them from the back side of the bike they look to be very symmetrically installed.
I wish he had a video on his website showing this...The bottom bolt installed I guess is as 90 degree as it gets, then you use the surface of the threads as a straight area to use the straight edge... Assuming your straight edge is actually straight.. then it would go 100% 90 degree up...fill the gap with a spacer if there is one...
I wish he had a video on his website showing this...The bottom bolt installed I guess is as 90 degree as it gets, then you use the surface of the threads as a straight area to use the straight edge... Assuming your straight edge is actually straight.. then it would go 100% 90 degree up...fill the gap with a spacer if there is one...
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 208
Likes: 52
From: SOCAL
Forgive me if this is dumb, but are these shocks one of those changes you make and wished you did it many miles ago?
I'm coming from a lowered Dyna, so to me, my SGS is a two wheeled version of a Caddy. Have about 10k on it now and still haven't even thought to change shocks.
I'm coming from a lowered Dyna, so to me, my SGS is a two wheeled version of a Caddy. Have about 10k on it now and still haven't even thought to change shocks.
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 61
Likes: 9
From: Northern Illinois
I'll let others answer that directly, as all I've done so far is sit on mine in the garage. I will say that even just sitting on it in the garage is a big improvement. With the factory shocks (HD premium hand adjustable), they wouldn't even budge if I tried to bounce on it, and yes the setting was at the lowest possible setting. I'm just scrawny...lol. With the 3-3's, there is actual movement, and absorption...so nice. Haha. 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
If you are satisfied with them and it rides great to you then don't worry about it... I cam from a Sportster and went to a Electra Glide so it was plush.. but now I see what the difference is.
There is always room to improve something but if you don't know any better you just don't which is where I was last week.
I bottomed out with my wife on the back too many times and I just wanted something better and more comfortable...
Mind you, I had almost 100000 miles on my shocks, changed the oil 1 time in them so they were getting replaced with something , I just didn't want to half a$$ it.
There is always room to improve something but if you don't know any better you just don't which is where I was last week.
I bottomed out with my wife on the back too many times and I just wanted something better and more comfortable...
Mind you, I had almost 100000 miles on my shocks, changed the oil 1 time in them so they were getting replaced with something , I just didn't want to half a$$ it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 5,320
Did you have to shim yours? I just installed the sleeves and the upper/lower inner/outer washers. There were no shims.
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
Forgive me if this is dumb, but are these shocks one of those changes you make and wished you did it many miles ago?
I'm coming from a lowered Dyna, so to me, my SGS is a two wheeled version of a Caddy. Have about 10k on it now and still haven't even thought to change shocks.
I'm coming from a lowered Dyna, so to me, my SGS is a two wheeled version of a Caddy. Have about 10k on it now and still haven't even thought to change shocks.
I had about a 3/16" gap on the upper left mount. Went to the hardware store and got a lock washer and compressed it, to use a shim.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: Auburn NY 13021
I was really fussy checking my 3-3's, ended up with a small shim top right shock and bottom left shock. Also lowered my shocks slightly maybe 3/8". I immediately noticed I was sitting high just by looking over the windshield.