Softail Ride
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 321
Likes: 38
From: Kansas City
Softail Ride
2013 Deluxe: The ride seems very harsh. This is my first softail. ALL of my rigid frame bikes rode better than this. It seems a little better with two up. Even the forks seem stiff. I was wanting to lower it also,if I cant get a better ride, it seems like I should just slam it and just put a solid strut in the shock mount. I know I know shotgun is the way to go,but that aint going to happen. Ithink I can live with rear,I mean at least there are shocks there.So maybe some ideas on fixing the front end jolt?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 321
Likes: 38
From: Kansas City
I will adjust the rear this weekend(I never did set it up for me).I will check into those intimidater also. On the rigids I just let a little air out till it felt good.(of course it must have felt better cause my *** was always in the air) On the front I had weak springs and less fluid till if felt more springy than stiff. I just thought a newer softail should feel better than it does
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Wow. Either the ride quality is inconsistent, or simply subjective. In addition to my softail, I have both a '02 Sportster and a '14 Triumph Bonneville in my "stable." The softail rides like a Cadillac by comparison.
Admittedly, I did not buy mine new, and I don't know the history of it. Things could have been changed from the way it came from the factory
Admittedly, I did not buy mine new, and I don't know the history of it. Things could have been changed from the way it came from the factory
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
Wow. Either the ride quality is inconsistent, or simply subjective. In addition to my softail, I have both a '02 Sportster and a '14 Triumph Bonneville in my "stable." The softail rides like a Cadillac by comparison.
Admittedly, I did not buy mine new, and I don't know the history of it. Things could have been changed from the way it came from the factory
Admittedly, I did not buy mine new, and I don't know the history of it. Things could have been changed from the way it came from the factory
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 899
From: Omaha
Sounds like a shock adjustment is needed.
If you don't like crawling under the bike every time you want to adjust the shocks, I recommend the Progressive 422 RAPs for around $500.
And as you mentioned there's always Shotgun Shocks.
Softail Shock Adjustment:
1) Jack the bike up so the rear tire is off the ground. The more clearance you have the easier it is. Don't forget to strap the bike down. You don't want it falling on you while you’re wrenching underneath it.
2) Loosen the jam nut all the way out. It’s a 1 1/16" nut. If it doesn't want to loosen easily (which is often the case), soak it in some penetrating lube. The spanner wrench mentioned in step 3 is also a 1 1/16" wrench.
3) With a spanner wrench (HD p/n 94448-82B) turn the adjuster plate counter-clockwise (so the shock housing moves towards the front of the bike) until it’s up against the jam nut.
4) Then take a light colored paint pen, or a piece of duct tape, and mark the 6 o'clock position on the adjuster plate to use as a reference point when doing your adjustment. Don't worry if they're not in exactly the same position on both shocks. That’s normal.
Now you’re ready to adjust the shocks to your weight/load.
5) With the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate clockwise no more than 4 complete turns by counting how many times the mark from step 4 crosses the 6 o'clock position. 0 turns is the stiffest setting, and 4 turns is the softest setting.
6) While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner wrench, tighten the jam nut up against the adjuster plate by turning the nut clockwise.
7) Now repeat the exact same process on the other shock. The key is to adjust both shocks equally.
The general rule of thumb I use is:
4 turns for load <= 180 lbs.
3 turns for 180lbs < load <= 235lbs
2 turns for 235lbs < load <= 300lbs
1 turn for 300lbs < load <= 375lbs
0 turns for 375 < load
Examples:
235lbs solo rider: 3 full turns
235lbs solo rider + 32lbs pack: 2.5 turns
235lbs rider + 150lbs passenger + 32lbs pack: 0.5 turns
If you don't like crawling under the bike every time you want to adjust the shocks, I recommend the Progressive 422 RAPs for around $500.
And as you mentioned there's always Shotgun Shocks.
Softail Shock Adjustment:
1) Jack the bike up so the rear tire is off the ground. The more clearance you have the easier it is. Don't forget to strap the bike down. You don't want it falling on you while you’re wrenching underneath it.
2) Loosen the jam nut all the way out. It’s a 1 1/16" nut. If it doesn't want to loosen easily (which is often the case), soak it in some penetrating lube. The spanner wrench mentioned in step 3 is also a 1 1/16" wrench.
3) With a spanner wrench (HD p/n 94448-82B) turn the adjuster plate counter-clockwise (so the shock housing moves towards the front of the bike) until it’s up against the jam nut.
4) Then take a light colored paint pen, or a piece of duct tape, and mark the 6 o'clock position on the adjuster plate to use as a reference point when doing your adjustment. Don't worry if they're not in exactly the same position on both shocks. That’s normal.
Now you’re ready to adjust the shocks to your weight/load.
5) With the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate clockwise no more than 4 complete turns by counting how many times the mark from step 4 crosses the 6 o'clock position. 0 turns is the stiffest setting, and 4 turns is the softest setting.
6) While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner wrench, tighten the jam nut up against the adjuster plate by turning the nut clockwise.
7) Now repeat the exact same process on the other shock. The key is to adjust both shocks equally.
The general rule of thumb I use is:
4 turns for load <= 180 lbs.
3 turns for 180lbs < load <= 235lbs
2 turns for 235lbs < load <= 300lbs
1 turn for 300lbs < load <= 375lbs
0 turns for 375 < load
Examples:
235lbs solo rider: 3 full turns
235lbs solo rider + 32lbs pack: 2.5 turns
235lbs rider + 150lbs passenger + 32lbs pack: 0.5 turns
Last edited by Bluraven; Apr 8, 2015 at 02:36 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 122
Likes: 9
From: Arizona
I put some 422s on my 08 Night Train to lower the rear, since they are adjustable.
After the winter mods got done enough to drive it, I was surprized how much better the ride is with the new shocks. A double bonus!! Maybe I got lucky on my settings for height and firmness, and hit the sweet spot.
It makes me want to do something with the fronts now.
But no kidding, love the ride of the 422s. Definately worth it.
After the winter mods got done enough to drive it, I was surprized how much better the ride is with the new shocks. A double bonus!! Maybe I got lucky on my settings for height and firmness, and hit the sweet spot.
It makes me want to do something with the fronts now.
But no kidding, love the ride of the 422s. Definately worth it.
Last edited by gatorfrey; Apr 8, 2015 at 03:19 PM.
