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

 

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.

 

I used Metzelers on two other brand bikes for years and was very pleased with them, but their Harley tyres (I owned all three bikes at the same time) were as you describe. They may be better now, but I see no reason to change from my Avon Venoms. They give a superior ride, better handling and excellent grip in the wet.

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.

 

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 !

 

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

 

Good advice, but having owned my FLHS from new I found it rides OK solo, but has never coped well 2-up and loaded. My latest project has been to install a 2007 swingarm and wheel plus Ohlins shocks, so my wife and I can tour in greater comfort. Almost back on the road now, so too soon to say I am successful!

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.

 

Maybe the shocks for that year weren't all that great and you probably would be better off just replacing them for the more up dated ones.

 

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 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.

 

Hi,bigtone, my 91 ultra rides much the same as original posting ,specially on minor/local roads which have seriously deep "potholes" due to lack of maintenance. Just wondered if you mean "8psi of pressure on the front" means the Front (air) forks?. Mine are at the H.D.Manuals recommended 14psi for "softer" ride. The difficulty I have, being new to Harleys, is....what is the "normal" (suspension bumps & vibration etc.) ride for a 20 year old H.D.Ultra supposed to be like.. Bungo
ps. if my writing looks a bit shaky...youll know what caused it!