Hello everyone,

I have a 2015 FatBob with the painted rear shocks and was wondering how to adjust preload without ruining the paint job. The shock housing has holes not notches and are in a tube covering the springs. (No part of the spring is visible). This housing is a nice painted (gloss black) and I'm sure that if I use any of the different types of spanner wrenches I have I will destroy the paint.

How are you all adjusting these without ruining the paint?

I am 230lbs and would like to bump preload up to 3 from factory 2.

Thanks

 

You need a spanner wrench. If your REALLY careful you can use a set of pliers and several rags or piece of insulation inbetween the jaws with some hand strength. But if you want to make sure theres no chance of damage or scratches, go buy the tool.

 

Try a strap wrench. If the strap seems too coarse you can line it with something softer.

 

If you already have the stock spanner wrench, place some black electrical tape on the teeth that moves the shock adjustment. Just use smooth, controlled effort and you may have to replace the tape for each adjustment.

I got to admit the strap wrench idea from nevil sounds good too.

 

I was able to turn my stockers up by hand....

But really just wrap your spanner in tape, put masking/ painter's tape on the shock body, pad it with a rag... many different ways to keep the spanners from harming the paint. Or buy a set of better shocks, then worry about the finish on those...

 

Same here...I just get a good grip and turn my Progressives by hand.

 

Sorry guys, I just took a second look at my shocks and it turns out the adjustment holes are in the lower chrome section not the black painted tubes.

I was still worried about scratching the chrome but managed to get the job done without damage.

I lifted the bike on my lift so as to remove weight off the rear and first tried using my hands. That was a no go, not enough surface area to get a good grip and I find it hard to believe anyone is stronge enough to do it anyway. Then I tried the rubber strap wrench, still a no go, the strap just kept slipping. Lastly I tried a steel spanner wrench and wrapped the shock with and old piece of rubber inner tube from the boys dirt-bike that I cut to fit. That was the answer.

Thanks for all of your replies.

I

 

Stop at any Harley dealer, they will do it for nothing, if they don't, leave there and go to another. It's a 15, it's under warranty. They will do it.