Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

May 13, 2008 | 04:25 PM

fatbikejay

Thread Starter

Novice

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 22

Likes: 1

From: Madison, WI

Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

Finally took delivery of my new Fat Bob (sorry no pics yet) and have put about 200 miles on. This is my first Harley and I have been thouroughly enjoying it, however, the back end seems a little loose when going around tight turns. i noticed that the rear shocks have a spring pre-load adjustment from 1 to 5 and mine are set at 2 from the dealer. Has anybody played around with adjusting the pre-load and would I expect a "tighter" handling rear end if I increased the pre-load?

May 13, 2008 | 04:43 PM

bklynbob

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 4,998

Likes: 655

From: bklyn,ny

RE: Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

If you are under 200lbs, that should be good. Bumping them up 1 more click might do it. the bottom line is o.e shocks are marginal at best.Think about replacements in the near future.

May 13, 2008 | 04:53 PM

black65

Intermediate

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

From:

RE: Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

Mine came from the dealership on 3 andI like they way they ride, I'm 210lbs. I bought a wrench for $10, so I might play around with the adjustments.

May 13, 2008 | 05:32 PM

Grizzbare

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 317

Likes: 2

From: north idaho

RE: Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

Mine came from the dealer on 1, I am 260 lbs, I bumped it to 3, and found it pretty good, I just clicked it to 4 to feel it out, but have not ridden it yet at 4... I figure if you take the gross weight minus the bikes weight ( 675 0r so) you wind up with it's loaded capacity,,, divide that by 5 for the 5 clicks and you get a rough weight setting per preload click ,, take a look at your weight for where it should be... and add if you 2 up or add weight fir touring etc..

maybe too much math....

anyway a set of progressives are on the bench to get installed in the next couple weeks....

May 13, 2008 | 06:56 PM

2007fxdc

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 4,722

Likes: 7

RE: Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

My stock shocks came set on the softest setting. I bumped them up to 3 and was happy there. But, you basically have to play around with the settings until you find what feels right to you. With that said, they didn't compare to my progressive heavy duties. I weigh 240 and they made a big difference.

By the way, there are several ways to change the settings on the shocks but the proper way is to use a spanner wrench. Many HD dealers and Indy shops sell them for 10 bucks or so. If you ever buy any progressives, they will come with a wrench to adjust them with and even some lube to put on there to make them turn easier.

May 14, 2008 | 02:35 PM

Steve Zodiac

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 918

Likes: 3

From: England

RE: Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

My Fat Bob came from the dealers set at two. I haven't tried adjusting them yet.

Looking at the shocks they number 1 to 5 anti-clockwise looking from the top. I guess (and it is only a guess) that means that number 1 is the hardest setting, assuming that screwing the shocks in compresses the spring. Am I right? The owners manual makes no mention of adjusting the spring preload.

My bike feels like it's doing most of its shock absorbsion on the front end which usually means that it's too hard on the rear so I'd like to loosen it off a touch. I'll have to get the adjusting tool.

My last bike, a Yamaha came with a good quality tool kit that stored under the seat and included a pair of shock spanners.

May 14, 2008 | 02:51 PM

2007fxdc

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 4,722

Likes: 7

RE: Spring Pre-Load Adjsutment on Fat Bob

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Steve Zodiac

My Fat Bob came from the dealers set at two. I haven't tried adjusting them yet.

Looking at the shocks they number 1 to 5 anti-clockwise looking from the top. I guess (and it is only a guess) that means that number 1 is the hardest setting, assuming that screwing the shocks in compresses the spring. Am I right? The owners manual makes no mention of adjusting the spring preload.

My bike feels like it's doing most of its shock absorbsion on the front end which usually means that it's too hard on the rear so I'd like to loosen it off a touch. I'll have to get the adjusting tool.

My last bike, a Yamaha came with a good quality tool kit that stored under the seat and included a pair of shock spanners.

Steve, I suppose 1 - 5 depends on how you look at it. If you look at the "steps" from underneath the shock, the one closest to the bottom is the hardest setting as it puts the most pressure on the shock spring. The highest step from the bottom us the softest setting. I've seen the "clicks" actually numbered on the outside of the shocks on some lowrider models but none of the other dynas - not sure why. I haven't really looked at the fatbob shocks that close - they may be numbered as well. If they are, 1 is the softest setting and 5 should be the firmest. The settings are relative to the weight you are carrying so everyone has a different comfort level. What I did, once I found out my dealer left mine at the softest setting was, click it up a notch on both sides, then ride a bit to feel it out, then another, ride it, and so on. I found, on the stock shocks, that 3 was the magic setting for me - I weigh 240 lbs. Ony progressive shocks, I did the same thing and found that 2 was the magic setting for me.