06 Dyna Bottoming Out
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 222
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06 Dyna Bottoming Out
Hey guys,
On occasion as I’m sure most do when hitting a huge frost heave or pothole my bike bottoms out and makes a semi metallic clang as it does. I’ve always assumed that it was a bump stop of some sort on the suspension that was making contact with the swing arm and left it at that. I also have added the chrome "shor-tee" upper belt guard and since installing have noticed that there is a small (about the size of half a penny) spot on the chrome guard that is dull, almost etched looking. While cleaning the bike last week I looked what was causing this and found that its from bottoming out on the occasional bump and having the to of the belt guard hit the bottom of the fender, just below the chrome strut cover. My problem is I want to order some 11" black 412's soon and if it’s doing this with the stock 12" shocks what will happen with the 11" units. In closing when I say bottoming out I mean once in a great while only on large unexpected tar monsters, I’m only 180 and I think that an occasional bottoming out is an indication of a good suspension setting (indicating that 99% of the time your getting its full range). Is this happening to any one else?
MaineHD
On occasion as I’m sure most do when hitting a huge frost heave or pothole my bike bottoms out and makes a semi metallic clang as it does. I’ve always assumed that it was a bump stop of some sort on the suspension that was making contact with the swing arm and left it at that. I also have added the chrome "shor-tee" upper belt guard and since installing have noticed that there is a small (about the size of half a penny) spot on the chrome guard that is dull, almost etched looking. While cleaning the bike last week I looked what was causing this and found that its from bottoming out on the occasional bump and having the to of the belt guard hit the bottom of the fender, just below the chrome strut cover. My problem is I want to order some 11" black 412's soon and if it’s doing this with the stock 12" shocks what will happen with the 11" units. In closing when I say bottoming out I mean once in a great while only on large unexpected tar monsters, I’m only 180 and I think that an occasional bottoming out is an indication of a good suspension setting (indicating that 99% of the time your getting its full range). Is this happening to any one else?
MaineHD
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
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From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: 06 Dyna Bottoming Out
If you're experiencing marks on the upper belt guard with the bottoming on the stock suspension, I would think that lowering the back another inch or more would result in a serious ride quality drop as well as worse damage when you hit something that makes the bike bottom out. I have 11.5" shocks on my FXD and they were at best a compromise between the stockers and full lowered units. 11" may look cool, and you'll get other opinions, the ride quality has to be compromised and the additional loss of clearance and possibility of more severe damage than you've already described would keep me away from the 11". Dropping the shock by an inch will lower the bike by a little over the same amount.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 608
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From:
RE: 06 Dyna Bottoming Out
I have the 11" 412s and have no problems at all, why? because I avoid and don't hit potholes, I know though that I will hit one sooner or later, but I accept that. Try getting the 11" stiffer version if you are concern.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 640
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From: Bowling Green, KY
RE: 06 Dyna Bottoming Out
You didn't state what setting your stock shocks were on. Mine came on the lowest (softest) setting and I was bottoming out. Set them on the next to hardest and will only bottom out riding two up and a sudden bump. Thinking about trying the hardest setting to compare.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2005
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RE: 06 Dyna Bottoming Out
yes, they are set soft, but if you set them hard then you are sacraficing ride quality on any bump that doesnt cause a bottoming out as you arent using the suspensions full range of movement. Just wonding if people w/ 11" shocks have had damage?
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 380
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RE: 06 Dyna Bottoming Out
You could always get the progressive 412 11" heavy duty shocks. Ride will suffer, but you should never bottom out.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,484
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From: Mountain View, California
RE: 06 Dyna Bottoming Out
"ride quality" is subjective. The purpose of a shock / spring is to keep the rider stable and keep the rubber in constant contact with the road while bringing everything as quickly as possible back to equillibrium. When the suspension is set too soft you may well pass comfortably over surface defects, but your tire will likely suffer at least a reduction in traction during the trade-off: not a good thing if this happens in an aggressive turn. I prefer to sacrifice a bit of comfort in order to keep my rubber firmly stuck to the tar. To me, it feels good to "feel" the road, and thus--to me--ride quality = moderately stiff suspension.