HD Service SUCKS. Question on front shocks
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
rounder re: "is also a distance from fluid to top of shock that can be measured to determine this without full disassembly."
The only way I know how to do it is as per manual where you remove the spring and pre-load adjuster and keep the fork straight/perpendicular than compress the slider like Adrianvall did HERE I surely would like to know how to shorten my workload.
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I believe that Rocket350 asked HD Service SUCKS. Question on front shocks on his 07 FXDL and not much more than that so in answer to his question: Yes, you an do it. You did not ask how to improve your suspension outside of stock so I will limit my post to that.
Q: "Anyone taken their's apart and have any advice for inspection and disassembly?"
A: Yes, I have done a few off and on. All front hydraulic shocks since 1948 are basically the same. Not much changes. You may go to my site and go to my DIY section, follow the pictures and instructions and do it yourself to rebuild which will cost $60 ~ $70. You must adjust the P/N's to include the following:
Q HD P/N Description
2 46508-01 O-RING All Models
2 46080-01 BUSHING, slider
2 46512-01 SEAL DUST
2 46514-01 SEAL OIL
2 46515-01 SPACER SEAL
2 46516-01 BUSHING GUIDE
2 46615-06 PACKING SEAL (brass Washers on bolts)
4 Bottles of Fork Oil (approx. 25 oz each side) or measure 110 mm
I use one of these to adjust the oil fill level
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
I just went through a similiar process with mine, front felt bouncy(poor rebounding), I installed a works performance triple rate spring kit, much better. still not there. Took it apart again, and put in Ricor IAS valves, and put in heavier wt fork oil(15 W). Easily doable by anyone with a jack, don't forget to strap bike down when it's on the jack, the weight can shift when you pull wheel and brake caliper off. Fluid level is measured from the top of a fully compressed fork, 100MM from top(about 26 oz) Better to measure in case you don't pump all of the old fork oil out.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 4
From: NC
Right on! Thanks for all the info. I will do it myself since I have never had a good experience from HD. After hitting a deer, they replaced my tubes, and lower sliders with chrome. Since then, it has been VERY spongy. I tap the front brake, and the whole front end dives. I have done forks on Dirt Bikes and 3 wheelers (yeah, I'm 30 yrs old), but this is my first Harley. I have more confidence in myself than trained techs. When I got my bike back, the idiots didn't even tighten the risers - no BS - 5" of play in my handlebars back and forth. 6 turns on the 3/4 bolt before it even started to tighten! Again, great info gents. - and yes, I kept "rubber side down" when I decided to get my 1st deer.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 2
From: Sin City
Race Tech makes a similar unit for $169... sorry to plug it... looking at the racetech unit
http://www.racetech.com/HTML_FILES/CADDIEMLAHD.HTML
save over a hundred bucks.
http://www.racetech.com/HTML_FILES/CADDIEMLAHD.HTML
save over a hundred bucks.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Race Tech makes a similar unit for $169... sorry to plug it... looking at the racetech unit
http://www.racetech.com/HTML_FILES/CADDIEMLAHD.HTML
save over a hundred bucks.
http://www.racetech.com/HTML_FILES/CADDIEMLAHD.HTML
save over a hundred bucks.
That said the two products could not be farther apart. The emulator uses a small orifice for low speed compression and a coil spring blow off for high speed compression. We use deflected discs for low speed and an inertia valve for high speed. Our system is the only system that is smart enough to tell if the wheel is moving or if the chassis is moving and apply the appropriate dampening response.
I have the up most respect for Race Tech and it's products. I have used their gold valves in almost every dirt bike I have owned.
As far as performance on a damper rod application, I welcome a back to back test any time.
Brian
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
I know from my seat of the pants experience the Ricor product works as described, the difference was noticeable immediately, a great compliment to the YSS shocks in the back of my bike. Suspension is a package deal, no sense putting great shocks on the back, without addressing the front too. All I can say is that my bike is WAY more fun to ride now, it does not even feel like the same bike. I think it's kind of a shame we have to spend all this money on our Harley's to make them handle properly, but they are a passion and I wouldn't ride anything else.
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Clarification Pleae
Don't forget they recommend replacing the springs at $109 at the same time and recommend their oil at $29/quart, 2 required. All in all close to the same price.
That said the two products could not be farther apart. The emulator uses a small orifice for low speed compression and a coil spring blow off for high speed compression. We use deflected discs for low speed and an inertia valve for high speed. Our system is the only system that is smart enough to tell if the wheel is moving or if the chassis is moving and apply the appropriate dampening response.
I have the up most respect for Race Tech and it's products. I have used their gold valves in almost every dirt bike I have owned.
As far as performance on a damper rod application, I welcome a back to back test any time.
Brian
That said the two products could not be farther apart. The emulator uses a small orifice for low speed compression and a coil spring blow off for high speed compression. We use deflected discs for low speed and an inertia valve for high speed. Our system is the only system that is smart enough to tell if the wheel is moving or if the chassis is moving and apply the appropriate dampening response.
I have the up most respect for Race Tech and it's products. I have used their gold valves in almost every dirt bike I have owned.
As far as performance on a damper rod application, I welcome a back to back test any time.
Brian
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I would very much like to know how you can do that!
rounder re: "is also a distance from fluid to top of shock that can be measured to determine this without full disassembly."
The only way I know how to do it is as per manual where you remove the spring and pre-load adjuster and keep the fork straight/perpendicular than compress the slider like Adrianvall did HERE I surely would like to know how to shorten my workload.
rounder re: "is also a distance from fluid to top of shock that can be measured to determine this without full disassembly."
The only way I know how to do it is as per manual where you remove the spring and pre-load adjuster and keep the fork straight/perpendicular than compress the slider like Adrianvall did HERE I surely would like to know how to shorten my workload.