shock pre-load on Dyna

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Oct 9, 2012 | 04:58 PM

Sharkman73

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From: SE Illinois

shock pre-load on Dyna

I read some threads today about shocks & pre-load adjustments. After reading some info, I wondered what my factory settings were. I assumed (never assume anything), that they were set from the factory at "3" or the middle pre-load adjustment, which seems to be typical in bikes, atvs, etc.
WRONG

I have never really thought about checking them out to verify. I will say that I am happy with the way my bike rides when solo, but when 2 up it feels a bit soft and has bottoms out on rough bumps.

So... I came home from work, got my flashlight out and noticed mine were on "1", or the softest setting. This would explain the soft feeling and bottoming out when 2 up. I don't have a spanner wrench, and after reading some that have scratched their shock adjusting with the spanner wrench, I dug out my Craftsman rubber strap wrench, and changed my pre-load adjustments to "3". Rubber strap wrench worked awesome and no scratches to the shocks...took all of about 3 minutes to adjust both shocks.

I'm finxin' to get on it shortly and see how it changed the ride and feel of the bike. I will report my findings later..

Oct 9, 2012 | 05:19 PM

trek51

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Joined: Jun 2012

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From: East Hampton, CT

I had the same issue on my 04 Dyna, kept bottoming out with 2 up. I bought a spanner wrench but put some duct tape on it to keep it from scratching. I set it on 4 and actually like the stiffer ride when solo.

Oct 9, 2012 | 06:03 PM

ncfatbob

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From: Raleigh, NC

Same on mine. It took a couple of hard bottoming outs to knock some sense into me.

Oct 9, 2012 | 06:26 PM

maddghost

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From: Out on Deranged

mine were set to 2 from the factory, weighing 180 lbs I set it to one, and the OL weighs 115 lbs and were ok with the setting at one.

Oct 9, 2012 | 09:28 PM

Sharkman73

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From: SE Illinois

Well, I took it out with them set on 3 for an aggressive ride....sharp corners, country roads, RR crossings, and basically pushed it pretty hard. It rides WAY better! It's much smoother actually crossing rough patches like the RR tracks, and it handles the twisties better too...bike feels way more planted. I like the firmer ride, but it actually seems better to me. It is a bit more abrupt on small bumps, but I like it. I'm sure it will be even better 2 up, but it's too cold now for the wife, so that will have to wait until we either get some warmer weather or spring.

I may set them up to 4 and try that out as well. I weigh 210 without clothes, so 3 is probably about the right combination, but I'm going to experiment since it only takes a couple minutes to do it.

Something else I noticed....the bike feels like it's a good 1/2 inch to inch taller in the seat....probably because the shocks are not sagging on 3 like they were set on 1.

I'm very pleased, and surprised I noticed that much difference. Makes me want some upper end Progressive shocks now, but that won't happen.

Oct 9, 2012 | 09:44 PM

Jaystn62

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Joined: Sep 2011

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From: NW Kentucky

I weigh about 180 and all solo riding but keep mine at 3. Came from dealer at 1. If I add bags and strap duffle across the back I turn it up to 4 for the interstate riding. No OL right now and stock shocks don't have a 6 so might have to invest in aftermarket if that ever happens.