broken lowering bolt on 99 softail
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
broken lowering bolt on 99 softail
Hi guys; Rode in the garage today and noticed my bike was sitting lower than usual. Did some checking and found the eye broken on the lowering bolt. Are these things about all the same as far as threads? I will probably have to buy a new set to get the bolt as I don't know what brand the ones on there are.
Just from looking at several different ones it looks like they are all about the same except for maybe metalurgy and price. I don't want to have to replace the whole thing as that requires removing and compressing the shock.
Any and all replys appreciated. Thanks; Jim
Just from looking at several different ones it looks like they are all about the same except for maybe metalurgy and price. I don't want to have to replace the whole thing as that requires removing and compressing the shock.
Any and all replys appreciated. Thanks; Jim
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
No, I had it just a bit lower than stock. They were on the bike when I got it. It broke on the very end of the eye and spread apart when the shock pulled it forward. We have some really rough railroad crossings and I imagine that must have had something to do with it. That, and I have the shocks set up tight for when my wife rides with me. I figured I would need to buy a new set, but was hoping I could just use the eye bolt without taking the shock apart to replace the whole thing. It just unscrews out of the adjusting piece. Never heard of one breaking before but it must have had a weak spot. It has almost 50,000 miles on it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
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From: Poolville
Never heard of an end breaking like that.. With all the hammering it was doing on the stud I would replace that as well.. Do you think that the other shock is way to weak and worn and that's why it broke out the end on the other that's Doing all the work?
If your interested, I have a like new set of progressives 422's. Standard duty and ride height adjustable. Less than 100 miles on them...Pm me if you want.
If your interested, I have a like new set of progressives 422's. Standard duty and ride height adjustable. Less than 100 miles on them...Pm me if you want.
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Nov 12, 2015 at 05:55 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
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From: Upstate New York
If the shocks have 50,000 miles on them, they are most likely worn out and owe you little. A tough break, but if it were me, I'd probably spring for new shocks.
I can vouch for the Progressive 422s. Yes, there are probably better shocks out there (for more money), but I've had good service out of Progressives. I'm running my third set on this bike (they generally last me about 60-70K).
I can vouch for the Progressive 422s. Yes, there are probably better shocks out there (for more money), but I've had good service out of Progressives. I'm running my third set on this bike (they generally last me about 60-70K).
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I took it apart today and of course HD did not have any. Ordered a pair off of ebay and should have them by saturday. Maybe I Will buy new shocks next year but want to get it fixed for whats left of riding season. It was easy to just remove the rear shock bolt and unscrew the "eye" bolt out. I did have to remove the front shock bolt also to give me enough room to completely unscrew it. New ones cost me $42.00 and free shipping. Probably the cheapest thing I have ever bought for a Harley, outside of spark plugs. LOL.
Doing this kind of stuff on the motorcycle jack puts me on the floor which my wife says keeps my 75 year old body in good shape. When I am under there wrenching I feel like I did when I was 15 working on my 42 "45" flat head, so maybe she is right. She usually is you know. Besides, while I was working on it she made a pan of apple crisp and brought me some. Whoo Hoo. After 56 uears of marriage she still loves me.
Doing this kind of stuff on the motorcycle jack puts me on the floor which my wife says keeps my 75 year old body in good shape. When I am under there wrenching I feel like I did when I was 15 working on my 42 "45" flat head, so maybe she is right. She usually is you know. Besides, while I was working on it she made a pan of apple crisp and brought me some. Whoo Hoo. After 56 uears of marriage she still loves me.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,640
From: Poolville
Doing this kind of stuff on the motorcycle jack puts me on the floor which my wife says keeps my 75 year old body in good shape. When I am under there wrenching I feel like I did when I was 15 working on my 42 "45" flat head, so maybe she is right. She usually is you know. Besides, while I was working on it she made a pan of apple crisp and brought me some. Whoo Hoo. After 56 uears of marriage she still loves me.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Haslet Texas
Never heard of an end breaking like that.. With all the hammering it was doing on the stud I would replace that as well.. Do you think that the other shock is way to weak and worn and that's why it broke out the end on the other that's Doing all the work?
If your interested, I have a like new set of progressives 422's. Standard duty and ride height adjustable. Less than 100 miles on them...Pm me if you want.
If your interested, I have a like new set of progressives 422's. Standard duty and ride height adjustable. Less than 100 miles on them...Pm me if you want.
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