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I am going to step in here because I originally bought my HD #3-#3 from Howard late 2014 but after all the reading here I decided to upgrade the front. After speaking with Howard again I went with his suggestion of FKC102 for the front. Being 1700 miles from Howard he set me up with all the supplies and tools needed for the dealer to install. I had the install done last month but its been to cold to really ride. However, the ride home was just awesome. I had done late in the season to beat the spring rush, so I am ready to ride. Would be nice to have Howard set-up the bike perfectly, maybe some day when I get a winter house in Florida.
Haha. Now that makes sense! Nah, I'm ok with chrome, I'm just don't need it everywhere. I like the brushed sliders actually. I've actually been thinking of unblacking my Low Rider a bit with the brushed sliders instead of the black, and a chrome pipe. Who knows.
My Ohlins arrived yesterday from Howard at MotorcycleMetal.com (three days after paying For them. Amazing) packaged nicely, no issues as previously reported. Both shocks were wrapped in bubble wrap and in the expanded foam box. Install took all of 30 min. I guess since these are my third set, I'm becoming a pro. Or, it's just really easy (more likely). Set the sag, and went for a ride.
God damn are these good. Took a road that I know (and hate) well. Bumps that made me **** blood the next day were tamed nicely. I took the turn which gave me the wobble once before at the same speed, and nada. - on that topic I did install an alloy art rear stabilizer, so that helped too I'm sure. But nevertheless, excellent. I still have to mess with the preload a bit more, but all in all they are amazing.
The forks are not standing out as the weak link. Hard hits are "slam" followed a couple milliseconds later by "Cush". They are next.
My plan to get a hammock seat is being postponed. Completely unnecessary with these shocks.
I can't recommend these shocks (motorcycle metal's #2-3) and the man who built them enough - best $650 I spent on the bike. Howard sure knows his stuff. Some may find him abrasive, but if you give him a chance and listen to what he's telling you, you'll learn a lot. He answered his phone for a couple questions I had during install, and called me a couple hours later to check on how they were.
Now to start saving $ for the Ohlins fork cartridges...
I'll get some photos up later once my iPhone syncs up.
The bottom shock eyelet sits above the rear axle. Why would you need spacers for your exhaust hangers? Im guessing you didnt have enough clearance for the bolt to go through and you were too lazy to remove your exhaust so you decided to put spacers instead.
Last edited by vizcarmb; Nov 18, 2016 at 12:51 PM.
The bottom shock eyelet sits above the rear axle. Why would you need spacers for your exhaust hangers? Im guessing you didnt have enough clearance for the bolt to go through and you were too lazy to remove your exhaust so you decided to put spacers instead.
Jesus. I haven't seen ONE positive comment from you relevant to suspension other then bone stock HD. Do me a favor and don't respond to any of my threads. The shocks are about an inch longer then stock, with way more travel. The photo was with the the bike on a jack. So there's less sag then when on the ground. I was following the instructions and using parts provided from the guy with way more suspension experience then I expect you have, so away with you. FFS.
Disagree with a post, but don't be an a$$hole. Welcome to my ignore list.
Thanks MChad, I am saving some money to get some Ohlins from Howard as well. Great pics, good story and enjoy them
Ignore the haters. They are excellent, you'll love them. Really can't say enough positive stuff. I'm sure there are other higher end options, but I can only comment on what I actually have experienced so up to you to decide.
Make sure your bolt does not bottom out against the muffler on the 2016's as the nut is welded under the muffler bracket unlike the earlier models where the bolt slid under the muffler bracket and the nut was on top. Check bolt so they do not bottom out on the 2016~Current muffler w/welded nut
Make sure the C-Clip does not hit the muffler which will happen with shocks over 13". This occurs when the rear wheel is off of the ground.
Last edited by FastHarley; Nov 18, 2016 at 04:01 PM.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
