Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Shock adjusting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:14 PM
  #1  
Booey424's Avatar
Booey424
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
Likes: 6
From: Letart,WV
Default Shock adjusting

I bought some adjustable rear shocks. They are set at 2 right now. They adjust from 1-5. What would be the setting to lower the bike the most?
 
Attached Thumbnails Shock adjusting-image.jpeg  
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:21 PM
  #2  
mr-stabby's Avatar
mr-stabby
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 9
From: scotland
Default

i would think setting one will be softest and should make the bike sit lower when your on it , don't think it will make much of a differance on the side stand tho
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:28 PM
  #3  
JesseDyna's Avatar
JesseDyna
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 317
From: CA
Default

Higher number is probably stiffer but best way to verify is to look at the detent positions. If the pre-loaded spring is shorter (more compressed), it's stiffer. I always like to start at 3 then play from there.

Edit: I totally missed the actual question, for which I should be censured strongly.
 

Last edited by JesseDyna; Sep 22, 2016 at 04:05 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:29 PM
  #4  
Booey424's Avatar
Booey424
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
Likes: 6
From: Letart,WV
Default

Originally Posted by mr-stabby
i would think setting one will be softest and should make the bike sit lower when your on it , don't think it will make much of a differance on the side stand tho
They are the same length so I guess I will have to put them on and check from there
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:30 PM
  #5  
Booey424's Avatar
Booey424
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,945
Likes: 6
From: Letart,WV
Default

Originally Posted by JesseDyna
Higher number is probably stiffer but best way to verify is to look at the detent positions. If the pre-loaded spring is shorter (more compressed), it's stiffer. I always like to start at 3 then play from there.
That's what I Will do
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:34 PM
  #6  
JesseDyna's Avatar
JesseDyna
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 317
From: CA
Default

I geek out on this stuff a bit but if you compress a coil, the distance between coils will reduce. So take a metric ruler and measure the distance between coils at the 1 and 5 position - may tell you quite readily :-) But your spine will tell you where it wants to be.
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:52 PM
  #7  
F86's Avatar
F86
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Default

Originally Posted by Booey424
I bought some adjustable rear shocks. They are set at 2 right now. They adjust from 1-5. What would be the setting to lower the bike the most?
When you say "adjustable" do you know what aspect of the shock is actually adjustable? The usual possibilities would be Rebound, Compression and Preload. Most shocks have adjustable preload, the other settings generally only are used with higher end performance shocks, although not exclusively. Some high-end shocks may also have a threaded collar on the spring perch, which does allow for ride height adjustment.

As far as actually lowering your bike, you really need to use shorter shocks, unless you have adjustable spring perches, which are rare. The other settings really have more to do with the firmness of the shock and the intended amount of weight being carried, not with ride height.
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 03:59 PM
  #8  
F86's Avatar
F86
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
Likes: 900
From: Philly Suburbs
Default

Ah, I just looked at your attached picture, sorry...

Yes, it looks like they are simply adjustable for preload. As others have already mentioned, this is a setting intended to allow the shock to have it's intended range of motion with a typical weight loading. It won't affect static ride height noticeably, but could slightly affect the height of the bike when you're sitting on it (but not to the degree that longer or shorter shocks would).
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 05:55 PM
  #9  
Eblank8's Avatar
Eblank8
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 45
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Default

Agreed, you bought adjustable rebound shocks, not adjustable ride height.
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 08:54 PM
  #10  
Ghost_13's Avatar
Ghost_13
Grand HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Booey424
I bought some adjustable rear shocks. They are set at 2 right now. They adjust from 1-5. What would be the setting to lower the bike the most?
1 - softer / 5 - stiffer..., tighten down to shorten

Irrespective - set the sag correctly - otherwise, what's the purpose of springs / shocks - simply compress a couple of coils and weld them together

Not that I'm even remotely suggesting it

Ghost
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE