Hi Everyone,
I am just about to buy a Shotgun Air suspension for my custom Fatboy as I have been looking at these on bikes for a couple of years.
I am sure there are threads about this on here but I couldn't find one so I was hoping you have some thoughts on this? There isn't anything else left to do on my bike but these Air shocks were on my list and there seems to be such a positive vibe and feedback about them. Unfortunately over here in the UK same as anything else to do with Harleys, there isn't much knowledge or experience of these weird and wonderful things and options are very limited.

Did I do the right thing going for these shocks? Anything I should know about? avoid? tips?

Thanks as always

Andy

 

Hi Andy,

I too am in the UK and pulled the trigger on a Shotgun Shock for my Breakout three years ago. I have not seen another bike in the UK with a Shotgun Shock. What sold it for me was the fact all the other offerings out there Legend, Arnotts and Thunderbike's own offering only offered a two year warranty outside the USA whilst Shotgun still offered a lifetime one. The feedback and forum comments of those that had Shotgun Shocks fitted were also very encouraging. I have had no issues with mine and it really is a great bit of kit once you find your 'sweet spot.'

I accompanied mine with a Thunderbike rear fender which came with a replacement bump stop and stainless steel shims to adjust the lowest setting to prevent the fender from impinging on the rear tyre. This adjustment was crucial to prevent damage to the fender. Admittedly I got it wrong and the fender had to go back to be repainted due to heat damage whilst running the setup at it's lowest setting. This was not a Shotgun issue but of my own making not taking into account tyre flex on bumpy roads when shimming for the lowest setting.

Real estate in my tiny garage is at a premium and I had to do the work outside on my drive, you need plenty of room. I picked a bright sunny day and set to work. The instructions that came with it were very clear and concise. I have mild OCD and took my time, I am also an electrical engineer so spent perhaps more time than was necessary ensuring the looms and frame where it was routed were well protected and routed perfectly. It took most of the day and I needed my partners help to steady the bike on a couple of occasions as access was limited with the stand/table I used and I had to lower it twice to gain access to where I needed to be. A decent torque wrench and some blue Loctite and extra cable ties will come in handy too. Good luck you won't regret it!

**Late Edit** I did a bit of digging and your bike Andy is a sight to behold....beautiful. Well done!

 

Hi K9F,
Thank you so much for your reply, kind words and helpful advice. First of all, your bike looks amazing, really my kind of look, great job, that is one mean machine if I may say so.
It is great t know that there are a few of us over here who are prepared to take the leap and experiment with products such as the Shotgun air shocks. Reviews, feedbacks and youtube videos are very helpful but hearing from someone who actually installed it and uses it is priceless.

Installation advice is gold and so useful as I was planning to do this in my garage but now I know I need more space around the bike I will pick a sunny day to do it outside. There are two useful videos on youtube about installation one in the USA who removed the belt guards and the plastic shield and approached it that way and the other is German who did everything from underneath. Did you have to remove anything on the bike to install the Shotgun?

As for your OCD, I share that with you my friend and I am a perfectionist so I would go back and forth 100 times if need be to make sure it looks perfect as well as working effortlessly. Good advice about using my other half, I have to make sure she is around when I tackle this!

I am in Milton Keynes so if you are ever down this neck of the woods then I'd love to meet up.

I have ordered it from their website but I must say the website and the yahoo e-mail doesn't fill me with confidence. I have had no confirmation of order and have had no reply to my e-mail but I am guessing that is how they work and the shocks will arrive at some point. Just out of interest, did you have to pay import duty? I have no idea how much that figure would be but too late now! lol

Please keep in touch as I don't know any Harley owners in the UK and it is always good to share thoughts and ideas.

Once again, thank you for taking the time and writing such a detailed response as I found it really beneficial.

Ride safe and Kind regards

Andy

 

Hi Andy,

As mentioned I accompanied the Shotgun Shock with a Thunderbike rear fender so the fender, belt guards etc. were all off and away for paint anyway. It can be unnerving removing the standard shocks, I had the bike lifted on the table and the wheels chocked. On my Softail 95% of the work needed was from below, removing two individual shocks and having to fit the Shotgun double unit in lieu, the compressor was also from underneath only. Despite doing it on a bright sunny day an LED floodlight also helped underneath. You are in no rush the more you remove the less likely you are to inadvertently damage anything. You do need to get under both sides of the bike for fitting and removing the guards would help IMHO.

I will send you a 'pm' message about the excellent service I received from Shotgun.

View from underneath during final phase of fitting and yes it's a tight squeeze!

 

Hi Andy,
I also purchased these shocks around 1 month ago, I received a email stating that shipping would be approximately 4 weeks later. Sure enough just yesterday I received another email stating it's been shipped including the tracking number. So don't worry, it will come & I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

 

Hi Charlie,
Thank you very much for your reassurance. I just got an e-mail from them yesterday saying they would be shipped in around four weeks so that's great news.

Please let me know how you get on fitting these as I have that coming soon.

Ride safe

Kind regards

Andy

 

Thanks, Mal,
That looks awesome, such a neat job too, I simply can not wait to install mine!
I do have floodlights and as you said I would remove as much as possible to have clearance when I am doing the job.

I haven't even thought about the fender yet as I would not want to replace mine or have it repainted which was quite expensive in the first place. Having said that, hearing your experience means I would have to put my thinking hat on and think of ways to avoid damage to mine. Your Thunderbike fender looks great especially with built-in LED lights but I could see your point of being so close to the tire so I could see how that would have been a serious issue to resolve. Mind is not that close but still needs serious consideration as I hadn't even thought that far yet...prevention being better than cure is a good motto to use in this instance I think lol

Kind regards

Andy

 

Hi Andy,

As an afterthought. As you are aware I complimented my Shotgun Shock fitting with a 260 Thunderbike rear fender which was supplied with a replacement thinner bump stop and shims to lower or raise it and adjust accordingly to exactly where I wanted it and to prevent the fender from impinging on the tyre!

I am unsure of this but for the outlay of less than £5 it may be worth it perhaps? The shims for mine were stainless steel plates with slots in them so all one had to do was loosen the nuts on the bump stop and slide in or remove shims without the need for bump stop removal.

Even with the Shotgun Shock fitted your lowering position will be limited perhaps by the bump stop and you may wish to go lower still? Or you may need to shim it the other way.

Rather than mess about with your existing bump stop the part number for one is 11514 and costs a mere £4:93.

You could get one in for when you are ready to fit the Shotgun Shock and if need be either shave a little off it or use it as a pattern to have some shims made if you need them?

The bump stop securing nuts are accessible behind the battery tray.

Just a thought and ‘preparation being the key’ with a project such as this!

 

Hi Guys,
Much to my surprise, I received an e-mail yesterday from Shotgun Shocks saying that my item has been sent! I cannot wait, exciting times

 

Don't get rid of your old shocks, you'll need to reinstall them when you send the Shotguns in for repair (at your expense)
if you want to keep riding while they're in transit.
Just saying.