Early softail shocks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Spacing the bumpers is just a band-aid, and ride quality will suffer. The company "FAR" makes the correct shock...but they are in Italy...they sell on ebay.
Retrocycle seems to be a dealer for them...but they don't list the shock on their site...might call them and see if they can get it.
http://www.retrocycle.com/ListMotorc...hocks.html#top
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ammortizzato...1WAAUp&vxp=mtr
Retrocycle seems to be a dealer for them...but they don't list the shock on their site...might call them and see if they can get it.
http://www.retrocycle.com/ListMotorc...hocks.html#top
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ammortizzato...1WAAUp&vxp=mtr
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 69
From: Edgerton Wisconsin
Riding solo I never had a problem but it only took one good bump while ridi g two up with the saddle bags loaded and it would break the rear bolts.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 69
From: Edgerton Wisconsin
Spacing the bumpers is just a band-aid, and ride quality will suffer. The company "FAR" makes the correct shock...but they are in Italy...they sell on ebay.
Retrocycle seems to be a dealer for them...but they don't list the shock on their site...might call them and see if they can get it.
http://www.retrocycle.com/ListMotorc...hocks.html#top
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ammortizzato...1WAAUp&vxp=mtr
Retrocycle seems to be a dealer for them...but they don't list the shock on their site...might call them and see if they can get it.
http://www.retrocycle.com/ListMotorc...hocks.html#top
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ammortizzato...1WAAUp&vxp=mtr
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Tom could you back up a bit with your next picture?
I'm having a hard time figuring out how what you are showing me affects the shocks.
I have no doubt that it does I just don't see how.
What do those stops hit?
I'm having a hard time figuring out how what you are showing me affects the shocks.
I have no doubt that it does I just don't see how.
What do those stops hit?
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
That must be why (to the best of my knowledge) he hasn't had a problem since I installed the shocks (about 2 years ago).
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 69
From: Edgerton Wisconsin
Before I decide to drop a sizeable amount on a new pair of shocks, I have access to a pair of factory take off shocks from a 2010 softail.
Has anyone swapped the threded ends of the shocks with the older eyelet style threaded ends?
Has anyone swapped the threded ends of the shocks with the older eyelet style threaded ends?
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 199
Likes: 3
From: Canada
I have also been looking for a solution for replacement shocks on my 87 Heritage.
Its seems you have found the 89-99 shocks will bolt up, and is doable providing its driven solo.
I started looking a year or so back for replacement shocks, found Works, Ted Tine, Ultima narrow body shocks that are supposed to fit. All of these have no pre load ajustments. Only the Ted Tine has adjustable valving. The first two mentioned are very pricey, while the ultima is dirt cheap, and most likely the quality and performance is too.
Tom has found another company, FAR, that I wasn't aware of ,thanks for that Tom. It has already been mentioned the 89-99 shocks will hit the trans mounting bolts. I had a look at my 87 after reading that, and it appears to have studs in the case that go through the plate. On mine, I'm seeing a flat washer, then a lock washer, and finally a nut. All of that adds up and hangs down a fair bit. That leads to a question? Could the factory fasteners be replaced with a button head fasteners to gain some extra clearance?
Another question is, if one was trying to run the 89-99 shocks with the bump stops extended, how much swingarm travel do you lose?
Swapping the fasteners, and modding the bump stops sounds/seems to be worth while to be able to run the 89-99 shocks, that is if there are no draw backs. Maybe Tom has some input on this. The only other thing I can think of is redoing the mount on the swingarm to drop the shocks a bit lower down at the back. The shock mount on the swing arm doesn't look to hard to fabricate. This would get the clearance to the tans bolts, but would cause another problem with the shocks hanging even lower in the frame. Could pose a problem picking the bike up on a lift, but could be worth the trouble in the long run.
Just thinking out loud here guys
Its seems you have found the 89-99 shocks will bolt up, and is doable providing its driven solo.
I started looking a year or so back for replacement shocks, found Works, Ted Tine, Ultima narrow body shocks that are supposed to fit. All of these have no pre load ajustments. Only the Ted Tine has adjustable valving. The first two mentioned are very pricey, while the ultima is dirt cheap, and most likely the quality and performance is too.
Tom has found another company, FAR, that I wasn't aware of ,thanks for that Tom. It has already been mentioned the 89-99 shocks will hit the trans mounting bolts. I had a look at my 87 after reading that, and it appears to have studs in the case that go through the plate. On mine, I'm seeing a flat washer, then a lock washer, and finally a nut. All of that adds up and hangs down a fair bit. That leads to a question? Could the factory fasteners be replaced with a button head fasteners to gain some extra clearance?
Another question is, if one was trying to run the 89-99 shocks with the bump stops extended, how much swingarm travel do you lose?
Swapping the fasteners, and modding the bump stops sounds/seems to be worth while to be able to run the 89-99 shocks, that is if there are no draw backs. Maybe Tom has some input on this. The only other thing I can think of is redoing the mount on the swingarm to drop the shocks a bit lower down at the back. The shock mount on the swing arm doesn't look to hard to fabricate. This would get the clearance to the tans bolts, but would cause another problem with the shocks hanging even lower in the frame. Could pose a problem picking the bike up on a lift, but could be worth the trouble in the long run.
Just thinking out loud here guys
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Could the factory fasteners be replaced with a button head fasteners to gain some extra clearance?
Another question is, if one was trying to run the 89-99 shocks with the bump stops extended, how much swingarm travel do you lose?
Swapping the fasteners, and modding the bump stops sounds/seems to be worth while to be able to run the 89-99 shocks,
The only other thing I can think of is redoing the mount on the swingarm to drop the shocks a bit lower down at the back.
I personally do not believe the bumpstop mod even has any affect...I just posted the pic cause some people didn't understand what others were talking about...as the swingarm moves up towards the bumpstops..the shocks move away from the trans mount...when the shocks hit the trans mount...is when you go over a rise in the road at speed...and the swingarm moves away from the bumpstops.
I am currently running the small body ultima shocks...and they suck...I have full size progressive shocks for 84-88(they no longer make them)...but they hit the shock mounts because I am running an aftermarket swingarm to run a 250 tire. I plan to modify the shock mount on the swingarm...just cut it most of the way though ...bend it to the correct angle..and re-weld it.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: East Coast, USA
I have an old KT Components Sofspension in chrome with a medium torsion bar lying around. I might be willing to part with it, if someone was interested. I'm thinking that would work.
The sofspension is not manufactured anymore and I'm not sure why.
The sofspension is not manufactured anymore and I'm not sure why.