Early softail shocks.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 69
From: Edgerton Wisconsin
Early softail shocks.
I have an 86 heritage. It still has the stock remote reservoir gas shocks under the rear. The bike is like riding a trampoline! Does anyone know if these are rebuildable?
The only real aftermarket option I see is the works shocks and they are very expensive.
I tried a pair of aftermarket shocks for an 89-99 bike but I kept breaking shock bolts due to the shock body hitting the tranny mount.....
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
The only real aftermarket option I see is the works shocks and they are very expensive.
I tried a pair of aftermarket shocks for an 89-99 bike but I kept breaking shock bolts due to the shock body hitting the tranny mount.....
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I have an 86 heritage. It still has the stock remote reservoir gas shocks under the rear. The bike is like riding a trampoline! Does anyone know if these are rebuildable?
The only real aftermarket option I see is the works shocks and they are very expensive.
I tried a pair of aftermarket shocks for an 89-99 bike but I kept breaking shock bolts due to the shock body hitting the tranny mount.....
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
The only real aftermarket option I see is the works shocks and they are very expensive.
I tried a pair of aftermarket shocks for an 89-99 bike but I kept breaking shock bolts due to the shock body hitting the tranny mount.....
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Are you using OEM bolts or aftermarket?
The reason I ask is the aftermarket bolts are just a little longer than the oem ones and you have to add washers to actually tighten the bolt down instead of it bottoming out.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 69
From: Edgerton Wisconsin
Unfortunately progressive doesn't offer a shock option for pre 89 softails. And I haven't wanted to pony up the $800 for a set of Works shocks....
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 69
From: Edgerton Wisconsin
On a softail the shocks should mount to the swing arm not the tranny.
Are you using OEM bolts or aftermarket?
The reason I ask is the aftermarket bolts are just a little longer than the oem ones and you have to add washers to actually tighten the bolt down instead of it bottoming out.
Are you using OEM bolts or aftermarket?
The reason I ask is the aftermarket bolts are just a little longer than the oem ones and you have to add washers to actually tighten the bolt down instead of it bottoming out.
Put a couple of half inch spacers behind the swing arm buffers. You will lose a little swing arm travel, but you will never notice it unless you are motocrossing your softail.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 645
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From: Minneapolis
The progressives will work on the older bikes. I had a set on my 84 for awhile. It did have some spacers if I remember correctly.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Florida
Originally Posted by texashillcountry
On a softail the shocks should mount to the swing arm not the tranny.
Are you using OEM bolts or aftermarket?
The reason I ask is the aftermarket bolts are just a little longer than the oem ones and you have to add washers to actually tighten the bolt down instead of it bottoming out.
Are you using OEM bolts or aftermarket?
The reason I ask is the aftermarket bolts are just a little longer than the oem ones and you have to add washers to actually tighten the bolt down instead of it bottoming out.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 268
Likes: 69
From: Edgerton Wisconsin
I'm really looking forward to not having to fish those stupid remote reservoir lines back in there!
Thanks for the good info everyone.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Could you post a picture please?