Shotgun Shock Binding Problem
Shotgun Shock Binding Problem
Just installed my new Shotgun Shock earlier this week. Gotta say I really am impressed with the craftsmanship and the simplicity. My 11 year old son could follow those instructions and get it right. It went in smoothly for the most part, but I'm going to attribute the non smoothness to my inexperience, because once I realized what I was doing wrong, everything went well. That said, I am having a problem, and I'm guessing its because I have a custom framed bike, based (loosely) upon a 99 and earlier softail. My problem is that the shock or the swing arm seems to be binding up. When I air the bike up it comes up in erratic jerks not the smooth flow like the video, and when I adjust rebound the bike adjusts ok but after riding a bit wants to stay down like it stuck there on the down stroke, and stays that way until I stop and kinda bounce it or lift on the fender to bring it up.
My guess is its because the shock mounts on my bike are smaller than standard (2 1/8 wide vs 2 3/4) leaving a gap that allowed the shock to be angled slightly from side to side instead of straight front to back. So I think I'm getting some kind of bind from the swing arm bearings . I don't think the shock is the problem. I'm going to try adding washers as shims to take up the extra space left between the frame mount and the mounting points on the shock. I will post my results when I'm done.
In the meantime has anybody got a better idea of what might be wrong or a better way to fix what Ive described?
My guess is its because the shock mounts on my bike are smaller than standard (2 1/8 wide vs 2 3/4) leaving a gap that allowed the shock to be angled slightly from side to side instead of straight front to back. So I think I'm getting some kind of bind from the swing arm bearings . I don't think the shock is the problem. I'm going to try adding washers as shims to take up the extra space left between the frame mount and the mounting points on the shock. I will post my results when I'm done.
In the meantime has anybody got a better idea of what might be wrong or a better way to fix what Ive described?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 707
Likes: 38
my deuce does the same thing (if i'm understanding you correctly). i assumed this was normal. personally i would call jd before you start changing anything. from what ive seen his customer service is top notch, give it a try. i'm interested in the outcome of this
I was right. Because of the way my frame and swing arm mounts are designed, there is a 1/2 inch of space left between the mounts and the shocks mounting points, allowing the shock to shift, which caused it to push slightly diagonally instead of straight front to back. To test this theory, I went to the hardware store and bought a handful of washers. I filled in the gaps using equal amounts of washers front to back and side to side. This has cured my problem and made me amazed at how smooth my bike now rides. I plan to have some real spacers cut to size so that there are no issues with missing washers when I need to pull the shock loose.
Gotta say. Now that I have installed the shotgun shock properly I'm more than pleased with it. It handles my big ***(360 lbs) and my girlfriend with ease. My old progressives were harsh and leaked. I'm a very satisfied customer.
Gotta say. Now that I have installed the shotgun shock properly I'm more than pleased with it. It handles my big ***(360 lbs) and my girlfriend with ease. My old progressives were harsh and leaked. I'm a very satisfied customer.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
ok, thanks Dr. I still want to know why my fender sticks after riding. I'll get off the bike it will rise 3/4 inch make a wierd noise then I can lift it another 1/2 inch or so.
Last edited by 04reddeuce; Sep 22, 2011 at 07:33 PM.
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
After looking at mine yesterday I think my exhaust bolts were binding on the swing arm. I'll figure that out today as my exhaust si off and i will shorten the bolts or add soem spacers. I am talking about the the bolts for the bracket that go into the bottom of the frame. I'll report back once the pipes are remounted and i have shortened the bolts.
Drew
Drew
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