Switchback shocks on FXE?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,094
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Spring rates all wrong on the switchback shocks, the shock mounting position on the old bike is more inboard and takes a much higher rate spring than the later machines.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Nov 9, 2023 at 03:36 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: CT/FL
I have Dyna shocks on my FXS, and like TwiZted says they are very soft. I don't weigh much and it's a light bike so they work good for me. Much better than cheap aftermarket shocks that felt not much softer than solid struts. IDK if you could swap springs to make them work.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,094
Likes: 51,354
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
You are are completely offin how you think about this, google some big pictures of shovels and the later bikes and look at where the shocks mount on both. The later model machines are way back on the frame and swingarm, the shovels they mount much closer inboard. This substantially increases the required spring pressure to make it work correctly. Myself and many others have been down this road already, the later shocks don't work on the older bikes.
It's simple geometry. Go dig around Progressive shocks website and look up the shock and spring ratings for both, educate yourself before you spend money on something you hope will work.
And you can't swap springs to make it work, lengths and ID's are very different.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Nov 12, 2023 at 12:03 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,132
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From: CT/FL
That's what I suspected, but thanks for confirming. For a 160-170 lb solo rider on an FX the Dyna shocks work great. All others keep looking, lol.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,094
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Only ones I ever found for shovels that I liked and worked was set from Koni, great for a several years till one day they both blew, dropped the rear on the tire, can't get replacement cartridges for them.
OP is going to try them anyway, they always do.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,094
Likes: 51,354
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Take a look up inside the fender, bet money you'll see where the tires rubbed it, later shocks have a longer travel than the stock one's, another overlooked issue with this.
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