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:

Hard rear suspension....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:22 PM
  #11  
last saint's Avatar
last saint
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 4
From: Ozark Mountains
Default

Definitely need to adjust the preload. Back it off to the lightest setting and go from there. Suspension has to be played with until you get it where you want it. I agree, stock HD shocks aren't all that great, but even at that, they're better than Progressive in my opinion. It mostly depends on what you want out of your bike. If you're a cruiser, then the stock suspension can be tweaked enough to get you somewhat satisfied. But if you're a hard rider...stock ain't gonna cut it.
When adjusting, Rounder is right, counter clockwise to lessen, clockwise to increase preload. Really simple, increasing preload compresses it, making it stiffer...lessening softens.
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:42 PM
  #12  
MZBuckeye's Avatar
MZBuckeye
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
Default

+1 to Dyna stock shocks being ****. No amount of adjusting will change that.

My 2c.
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:47 PM
  #13  
last saint's Avatar
last saint
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 830
Likes: 4
From: Ozark Mountains
Default

Originally Posted by MZBuckeye
+1 to Dyna stock shocks being ****. No amount of adjusting will change that.

My 2c.
MZ...your bike is gettin better and better. How do you like it these days?
 
Reply
Old Apr 2, 2009 | 09:58 PM
  #14  
MZBuckeye's Avatar
MZBuckeye
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
Default

Originally Posted by last saint
MZ...your bike is gettin better and better. How do you like it these days?
Thanks! Well, it's been a lot of work, but I think it's ready. I'm actually happier with it than I thought I would be when I first started riding it. The suspension, brakes, tires and TT have put it right where I want it.

Only about 5 weeks until I take it to the dragon, and then we'll see what it's really made of!
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2009 | 08:26 AM
  #15  
rounder's Avatar
rounder
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Default

Originally Posted by DeathProof72
Is that counter clockwise when looking down at the top of the shock, or from the bottom prospective looking up?
looking down . On the exhaust side turn towards the front of the bike. Primary side turn towards the rear of the bike.
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2009 | 08:33 AM
  #16  
skirtbum's Avatar
skirtbum
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Republic of TEXAS
Default

Stoopid question from a newbie, but how do you adjust the shocks? Had my 09 Street Bob for about 3 weeks now (first bike). Do you have to compress the shock to get to the adjustment nut or what.

Enjoyning the bike and the site.
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2009 | 08:53 AM
  #17  
rounder's Avatar
rounder
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Default

Originally Posted by skirtbum
Stoopid question from a newbie, but how do you adjust the shocks? Had my 09 Street Bob for about 3 weeks now (first bike). Do you have to compress the shock to get to the adjustment nut or what.

Enjoyning the bike and the site.
shock spanner wrench. Your dealer should have em. They're about 10 bucks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2009 | 08:59 AM
  #18  
DeathProof72's Avatar
DeathProof72
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by rounder
looking down . On the exhaust side turn towards the front of the bike. Primary side turn towards the rear of the bike.
Thanks... Just gotta a spanner wrench. The one I have won't fit.
 
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 Apr 3, 2009 | 09:14 AM
  #19  
DeathProof72's Avatar
DeathProof72
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by last saint
Definitely need to adjust the preload. Back it off to the lightest setting and go from there. Suspension has to be played with until you get it where you want it. I agree, stock HD shocks aren't all that great, but even at that, they're better than Progressive in my opinion. It mostly depends on what you want out of your bike. If you're a cruiser, then the stock suspension can be tweaked enough to get you somewhat satisfied. But if you're a hard rider...stock ain't gonna cut it.
When adjusting, Rounder is right, counter clockwise to lessen, clockwise to increase preload. Really simple, increasing preload compresses it, making it stiffer...lessening softens.
Cool, thanks for the info. Gonna pick up a spanner wrench from my dealer (I hear they are like $11 or so) and work on getting it at least better this weekend (not looking for perfect, but gotta be better than being airborne over bumps, LOL)
 
Reply
Old Apr 3, 2009 | 10:50 AM
  #20  
r00k's Avatar
r00k
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,380
Likes: 1
From: ,,
Default

What ever you do, do not spend more than $11 or so on the tool. Someone posted a while ago that their dealer was pushing a $60 wrench...
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:00 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