Rough Ride
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: North East Ohio
What tires are you running? I had a set of Metzlers on and could not get rid of the harsh ride. Tried new springs and seals in the front and take offs from a 2004 then I went back to Dunlops and thats what it was for me. I had Metzlers in the past on other rides but they sure rode like crap on my 98 King. Good luck, Bob
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
I think they are all the same up to the new bikes, the standard length being 13" (which yours are also) and the street glide low profile shocks are 12.5". Alot of guys on here complain about the harsh ride from the low profile shocks, but Mine ride fantastic, One thing, if you buy a set off ebay, make sure the seller leaves the air lines on, or you get a box dripping oil delivered to you.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
What tires are you running? I had a set of Metzlers on and could not get rid of the harsh ride. Tried new springs and seals in the front and take offs from a 2004 then I went back to Dunlops and thats what it was for me. I had Metzlers in the past on other rides but they sure rode like crap on my 98 King. Good luck, Bob
Unfortunately US Harley riders seem fixated on high mileage from their tyres, while here in the UK we want the thing to stay on the road in all conditions! Seems to me those are not compatible with each other, so we each have to choose between the two. Avon tends to recommend slightly higher pressures than in the owners handbook.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 225
Best things I did to get my 89 E'glide to ride and handle better were:
Removed the old rear air shocks and threw them away. Bolted on a new set of Progressive suspension 412's in the size i wanted, set the sag and they improved the rear a hell of a lot.
for the front - I removed the leaky POS air assist dealio that is activated by the front brake and removed the air line stuff from the handle bar to the forks. including all the electrical crap.
Took the forks apart, new seals, etc. and installed a set of Progressive suspension springs and 15 wt fork oil. capped off the top of the fork legs with bolts and brass washers to seal them and eliminate the air line stuff.
Tracks great, no more wallowing *** end and clanking front end...
realize that it is an "expensive" answer.
If you dont want to invest in it - then at the least you need to change the fork oil and get the HD suspension pump and pump up the front forks - if it leaks, you'll need to pull the outer fairing off and find and fix the leak. for the rear shocks, if they are not leaking, you can also change the old oil in them and test out different psi settings....
Good luck !
Removed the old rear air shocks and threw them away. Bolted on a new set of Progressive suspension 412's in the size i wanted, set the sag and they improved the rear a hell of a lot.
for the front - I removed the leaky POS air assist dealio that is activated by the front brake and removed the air line stuff from the handle bar to the forks. including all the electrical crap.
Took the forks apart, new seals, etc. and installed a set of Progressive suspension springs and 15 wt fork oil. capped off the top of the fork legs with bolts and brass washers to seal them and eliminate the air line stuff.
Tracks great, no more wallowing *** end and clanking front end...
realize that it is an "expensive" answer.
If you dont want to invest in it - then at the least you need to change the fork oil and get the HD suspension pump and pump up the front forks - if it leaks, you'll need to pull the outer fairing off and find and fix the leak. for the rear shocks, if they are not leaking, you can also change the old oil in them and test out different psi settings....
Good luck !
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
1) check the tire pressure
2) put about 30-50 pounds of weight (total) in the saddlebags and tourpak
3) toss your OL on the back and go for a putt
These older 'Glides ride like 1 ton pickups until you put a bit of weight in/on them. Then you'll be amazed how nice they ride.
When I rode my (new) FLHS home from the dealership in 1993, I got about two miles away and was thinking, 'WTF have I done?'. It rode like a dump truck and shifted like my old Peterbilt. And the seat was, uh... Uncomfortable is putting it mild.
You'll get used to it.
Just my $.02
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Before you go tossing hundreds (or thousands) of dollars into this bike adding all sorts of 'fixes', do a couple things:
1) check the tire pressure
2) put about 30-50 pounds of weight (total) in the saddlebags and tourpak
3) toss your OL on the back and go for a putt
These older 'Glides ride like 1 ton pickups until you put a bit of weight in/on them. Then you'll be amazed how nice they ride.
When I rode my (new) FLHS home from the dealership in 1993, I got about two miles away and was thinking, 'WTF have I done?'. It rode like a dump truck and shifted like my old Peterbilt. And the seat was, uh... Uncomfortable is putting it mild.
You'll get used to it.
Just my $.02
1) check the tire pressure
2) put about 30-50 pounds of weight (total) in the saddlebags and tourpak
3) toss your OL on the back and go for a putt
These older 'Glides ride like 1 ton pickups until you put a bit of weight in/on them. Then you'll be amazed how nice they ride.
When I rode my (new) FLHS home from the dealership in 1993, I got about two miles away and was thinking, 'WTF have I done?'. It rode like a dump truck and shifted like my old Peterbilt. And the seat was, uh... Uncomfortable is putting it mild.
You'll get used to it.
Just my $.02
It is easy when working on an old bike (or any vehicle) to forget that parts for these things cost as much as a brand new equivilent. So while it is tempting to try to do things on the cheap, sometimes we have to dig deep to make worthwhile progress. I reckon rear shocks are close to the top of any list of such things.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
Frankly, it would be pointless to put different Harley shocks on. I've never heard that the new ones are any better than the old ones, no matter the model.
I agree with using Progressive fork springs and 412 shocks. My FXRS, with over 50K on the Progressive suspenders rides far better than when it was new. And I'm still on the softest setting on the standard 412's. Most people don't need the heavy-duty.
I agree with using Progressive fork springs and 412 shocks. My FXRS, with over 50K on the Progressive suspenders rides far better than when it was new. And I'm still on the softest setting on the standard 412's. Most people don't need the heavy-duty.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I don't agree. There are riders with 09s and 10a who are not happy with the ride of their new bikes. I don't suggest the latest shocks are the same as my 1990 bike, but they certainly are far from bein as good as they should be for an expensive bike. If Ohlins are good enough for BMWs they will be good enough for me, and so I have proved. They are far superior to anything else I have tried on my Glide.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 737
Likes: 4
From: Scotland,UK
Good chance they are, but usually when they wear, they get real mushy.
How much air are you running in them? I would try only about 8-10 psi. All the above postings about installing true tracks and such arent going to give you a smoother ride. Also, if all you want is a soft ride, I beg to differ with the above postings, but a take off set of factory shocks from a new or nearly new bike would be a step up from what you have. I also have a 1990 Ultra and I'm running the shorter street glide shocks I got off Ebay for $60 or so. Along with about 8 psi of pressure in the front gives me a nice soft ride, I'm not out to try to do 70mph in the twisties.
How much air are you running in them? I would try only about 8-10 psi. All the above postings about installing true tracks and such arent going to give you a smoother ride. Also, if all you want is a soft ride, I beg to differ with the above postings, but a take off set of factory shocks from a new or nearly new bike would be a step up from what you have. I also have a 1990 Ultra and I'm running the shorter street glide shocks I got off Ebay for $60 or so. Along with about 8 psi of pressure in the front gives me a nice soft ride, I'm not out to try to do 70mph in the twisties.
ps. if my writing looks a bit shaky...youll know what caused it!
Last edited by BungoBill; Jul 4, 2010 at 04:55 PM.
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