more help
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: New Braunfels, Texas
What year and model is your bike...How much do you weigh? Even though the stock suspension sucks, you shouldn't be bottoming out unless you are just flying over speed bumps and running over 2x4's.
Like the above post, I think you don't have enough fork oil. You also need to increase your preload. Did you buy the bike new?
I'm running ricor intimidators and amzoil 10W shock therapy. It is a big improvement over stock but I think it still can be better.
Like the above post, I think you don't have enough fork oil. You also need to increase your preload. Did you buy the bike new?
I'm running ricor intimidators and amzoil 10W shock therapy. It is a big improvement over stock but I think it still can be better.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
If you insist on adding new progressive springs then look into Race tech springs. You can order them to fit your weight. Progressives are not going to be much better then stock.
Unless you set up your preload properly, you will still run into the same problem
Unless you set up your preload properly, you will still run into the same problem
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: aurora, co
i way 230. i live in denver(horrible roads!) and i bought the bike used. its an 08 fxdb. i didnt bottom out like this on my nightster so im starting to think the springs are just worn? they have the correct amount of fork oil.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
You never know what the previous owner did. Could have been a short person who cut the spacer tube to lower the bike. (wrong thing to do but you'ld be surprised)
I really doubt the spring is worn out. Your sag should be about 1/3 of the fork travel.
(forks fully out with bike in the air vs bike on the ground with your weight on it) I use zip ties around the fork tubes, set right over the dust covers and then sit on the bike and them measure.
The pipe that pops out when you take your fork caps off are the spacer pipes that control the sag. When you changed your fork oil and put the fork caps on it should have been really hard to push them and turn them back in.
When my bike is sitting on the ground and then I put my wieght on it...it sags about 1 1/4 " just to give you an idea....I weigh 180. When you get on the bike and it goes down more then 1 3/4" then you have a pretty good idea the pipe is too short.
If you order some race tech springs, they do come with new spacer tubes but chance are no aftermarket springs are going to be the same length and you will have to set up the sag no matter what springs you put in.
Like I said before, the stock harley pipes are a progressive spring.
Cheep fix it to just get a longer pipe and try that.
Keep us updated on what you find
I strongly recomend the ricor intimidators for bad roads...even though they will help from bottoming, they won't stop it. If you add them and don't cut the pipe, in your case, it will take away almost 3/4" of sag because thats how thick they are.
I really doubt the spring is worn out. Your sag should be about 1/3 of the fork travel.
(forks fully out with bike in the air vs bike on the ground with your weight on it) I use zip ties around the fork tubes, set right over the dust covers and then sit on the bike and them measure.
The pipe that pops out when you take your fork caps off are the spacer pipes that control the sag. When you changed your fork oil and put the fork caps on it should have been really hard to push them and turn them back in.
When my bike is sitting on the ground and then I put my wieght on it...it sags about 1 1/4 " just to give you an idea....I weigh 180. When you get on the bike and it goes down more then 1 3/4" then you have a pretty good idea the pipe is too short.
If you order some race tech springs, they do come with new spacer tubes but chance are no aftermarket springs are going to be the same length and you will have to set up the sag no matter what springs you put in.
Like I said before, the stock harley pipes are a progressive spring.
Cheep fix it to just get a longer pipe and try that.
Keep us updated on what you find
I strongly recomend the ricor intimidators for bad roads...even though they will help from bottoming, they won't stop it. If you add them and don't cut the pipe, in your case, it will take away almost 3/4" of sag because thats how thick they are.
Last edited by rooti; Dec 20, 2012 at 09:28 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
They install under the springs and they suggest amzoil 10w shockproof oil for best performance. I didn't take my forks apart when I installed mine...Just used a marine pump to drain the old fork oil.
You still have to check your sag, maybe with the ricors, it will add enough space to tighten up your spring.
While your in there, I would check the spring and make sure it wasn't cut shorter
You still have to check your sag, maybe with the ricors, it will add enough space to tighten up your spring.
While your in there, I would check the spring and make sure it wasn't cut shorter
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If your front end is as weak as you make it sound, before you spend money on a part they may not fix anything in your case, figure out exactly what you have.
Measure the preload, the spring, and clean out the forks.
Never add a band-aid to fix something when you really do not fully know the real issue.
Throwing a part like the Ricor into a front end that may have other problems is a waste of money.
Measure the preload, the spring, and clean out the forks.
Never add a band-aid to fix something when you really do not fully know the real issue.
Throwing a part like the Ricor into a front end that may have other problems is a waste of money.
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