Prob a silly question but.....
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Dorset, UK
Prob a silly question but.....
Have had my first Harley, 2007 Street Bob, for a couple of weeks now and am loving it.
Am planning on doing a bit of two up riding and want to stiffen the rear shocks a bit.
Now heres the issue, I've got the wrench to adjust them but can't see how you can get to the adjuster without removing the shock!
am I missing something? is there a way of adjusting them without taking them off?
Thanks in advance
Am planning on doing a bit of two up riding and want to stiffen the rear shocks a bit.
Now heres the issue, I've got the wrench to adjust them but can't see how you can get to the adjuster without removing the shock!
am I missing something? is there a way of adjusting them without taking them off?Thanks in advance
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,622
Likes: 7
From: Gulf Coast
RE: Prob a silly question but.....
The chromecover on the lower portion of the shock has slots. The spanner wrench fits in the slots so you can twist and adjust the tension on the springs. There's usually five clicks of adjustment. Don't remember which way to turn for more pre-load,but just remember that the more of the shock that is exposed at the bottom of the cover the greater the pre-load.
Good Luck
Tom
Good Luck
Tom
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Down State NY
RE: Prob a silly question but.....
Just be careful. Both my shocksadjust indifferent directions. Just make sure you have the same of exsposed shock on both sides.If they're not the same your bike will handle like S@#T.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Lock Haven, PA
RE: Prob a silly question but.....
I just adjusted my shocks yesterday. If you look up inside the shockchrome coverfrom underneath, you'll see the adjuster, and you can tell which way to turn it.You actually put a spanner wrench in the holes in the chrome cover and turn it.Make sure both shocksare set in the same notch.
Mine were seton the lowest position, and I was scraping pegs going around corners. I raised it 4 notches (out of 5), and rode it. I didn't notice it riding any rougher, but I seemed to have a little more cornering clearance.
I also recommend doing it when the bike is cold. If you accidentally touch a muffler, you'll know why I recommend it.
Mine were seton the lowest position, and I was scraping pegs going around corners. I raised it 4 notches (out of 5), and rode it. I didn't notice it riding any rougher, but I seemed to have a little more cornering clearance.
I also recommend doing it when the bike is cold. If you accidentally touch a muffler, you'll know why I recommend it.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Dorset, UK
RE: Prob a silly question but.....
Thanks for that guys, just adjusted them. Not sure it was worth the effort and there seems to be little difference in feel.
Progressives here I come!
Progressives here I come!
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 972
Likes: 23
From: NC
I'll be durned. Sitting out here in the shop beside my bike and was wondering about adjusting the rear shocks. Just searched the forum and found this thread. Walked over to the bike and looked and the shocks were unevenly adjusted (off by one, one shock at softest setting, the other at second-to-softest setting) from the factory. Have been riding it over 3000 miles like that. I grabbed the chrome cover at the base of each shock with both hands and.... uuuuuggggggg.... *chunk*. Was able to adjust both of them to the stiffest setting. Will have to see what it rides like tomorrow. Just polishing off my 4th beer right now, not the best time to go riding. Thanks for the tip! Great forum!
Thanks for the tip! Great forum!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Aw hell, man. Your senses are at their keenest point. LOL j/k
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
The effect of changing the preload can be subtle -- if you're just riding down the street you won't feel a difference. It's when you're hitting bumps you notice the difference. (Makes sense, right? Shock absorbers need shocks to absorb.)
The stiffest setting is probably not optimal for you when riding solo. The "Right" way to do it is by measuring the amount the bike compresses when you sit on it. But to me it's kind of a situational adjustment -- I like to set 'em to 4 when riding back roads (I'm 215 pounds, by the way) and 3 on the highway. That one click of softness keeps the expansion joints from hurting my back when I hit 'em at 80mph.
The stiffest setting is probably not optimal for you when riding solo. The "Right" way to do it is by measuring the amount the bike compresses when you sit on it. But to me it's kind of a situational adjustment -- I like to set 'em to 4 when riding back roads (I'm 215 pounds, by the way) and 3 on the highway. That one click of softness keeps the expansion joints from hurting my back when I hit 'em at 80mph.
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