Deluxe Suspension
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
Deluxe Suspension
I'd like some advice on my Deluxe's rear suspenders please.
Has anyone swapped them out for the standard length Harley shocks as fitted to the standard height Fatboy and Heritage etc. They are available in the parts book labelled as comfort rear shocks. If so, was there an improvement in ride quality.
I was slightly worried after I'd ordered the Deluxe, as I thought the ride might be harsh with the reduced travel and firmer spring as my purchase was based upon a test ride on a Heritage, which I was mistakenly told was the same suspension.
However having now clocked up almost 600 miles, I am fairly happy that the quality of the ride is acceptable for my stupid arthritic spine, and in any case is better than my RoadKing. Although I do keep running out of ground clearance, which is a bit frustrating, as the bike handles really well, and holds a chosen line through the twisty sections better than I thought it would, and doesn't wallow around like my Fatboy used to, which is probably in no small part due to the slightly firmer damping on the lowered shocks, which.......... brings me back to the beginning with the same question from a different angle, if anyone swapped out the suspension for better comfort, did the handling suffer. I don't want to go back to wallowing around bends, or at least having to alter my riding to suit the suspension which is what I did on the FB.
http://accessories.harley-davidson.e...ex-rear-shocks
I've included the link so you know what I'm rambling on about. Oh and just in case anyone is thinking I'm knocking the FB in anyway I'm not, I wish I'd never sold it, was my first Harley back in 2012 and I miss it, a lot.
Has anyone swapped them out for the standard length Harley shocks as fitted to the standard height Fatboy and Heritage etc. They are available in the parts book labelled as comfort rear shocks. If so, was there an improvement in ride quality.
I was slightly worried after I'd ordered the Deluxe, as I thought the ride might be harsh with the reduced travel and firmer spring as my purchase was based upon a test ride on a Heritage, which I was mistakenly told was the same suspension.
However having now clocked up almost 600 miles, I am fairly happy that the quality of the ride is acceptable for my stupid arthritic spine, and in any case is better than my RoadKing. Although I do keep running out of ground clearance, which is a bit frustrating, as the bike handles really well, and holds a chosen line through the twisty sections better than I thought it would, and doesn't wallow around like my Fatboy used to, which is probably in no small part due to the slightly firmer damping on the lowered shocks, which.......... brings me back to the beginning with the same question from a different angle, if anyone swapped out the suspension for better comfort, did the handling suffer. I don't want to go back to wallowing around bends, or at least having to alter my riding to suit the suspension which is what I did on the FB.
http://accessories.harley-davidson.e...ex-rear-shocks
I've included the link so you know what I'm rambling on about. Oh and just in case anyone is thinking I'm knocking the FB in anyway I'm not, I wish I'd never sold it, was my first Harley back in 2012 and I miss it, a lot.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 96
From: Eastern North Carolina
I was curious what year your Fatboy was. There was a frame upgrade along with the balanced motor back in 2000 I believe. That would account for the tightened up and less wallowy ride.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
It was an ex demo 2012 MY bought in Spain, it was the HDI spec Special with the standard ride height but Lo paint etc.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 120
From: Fairbanks, AK.
I've done the low to standard shocks three times on Softails. It takes some frame lifting and generating working room to begin with. I used a floor jack under the front of the frame and a cable come-along from a ring in the ceiling at the rear frame where I tied a rope around it to elevate and support the frame and rear tire off the ground. The rear shock bolts are held in with thread locker and require heat applied to soften plus a big wrench or they won't come out. Once removed, the front shock nuts are removed and a second jack placed under the rear tire lifts it fully into the fender to make room the remove the freed shocks. They're tight but will come out one at a time with lots of wiggling.
The taller suspension standard shocks are shorter so they go in easily (they lower the rear tire and raise the bike by being shorter). From the factory they are set to minimum pre-load just like the factory set-up on the bike. I set mine to 2 turns CCW from soft and find it helps resist rear suspension compression under load as in a turn. The ride is firm but compliant.
So, try increasing the pre-load to 2 turns on your shocks to see if it helps. If they're still not allowing enough suspension travel or you hit the footboards then install the standard height ones...or better yet pay someone to do it. I'd not have the low shocks on another Softail.
Gary
The taller suspension standard shocks are shorter so they go in easily (they lower the rear tire and raise the bike by being shorter). From the factory they are set to minimum pre-load just like the factory set-up on the bike. I set mine to 2 turns CCW from soft and find it helps resist rear suspension compression under load as in a turn. The ride is firm but compliant.
So, try increasing the pre-load to 2 turns on your shocks to see if it helps. If they're still not allowing enough suspension travel or you hit the footboards then install the standard height ones...or better yet pay someone to do it. I'd not have the low shocks on another Softail.
Gary
Last edited by PA1195; Jul 12, 2015 at 10:20 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: pataskala,ohio
I just done the same thing on my deluxe. I was constantly bottoming out with tour pak and bags on.put standard fatboy shocks on .Yea it's no longer low but it made a world of difference in the ride.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
So, try increasing the pre-load to 2 turns on your shocks to see if it helps. If they're still not allowing enough suspension travel or you hit the footboards then install the standard height ones...or better yet pay someone to do it. I'd not have the low shocks on another Softail.
Gary
Thanks for the replies.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
I went to adjust my shocks today, and found that they had already been marked and adjusted. One was 2 turns out from minimum and the other 1 turn.
Has anyone ever heard of the shocks being adjusted at the factory to anything but minimum or being marked with red paint as a reference point?
I've had a conversation with the dealer about the fact the shocks have been adjusted, and incorrectly at that, without me being notified, and the manager has said he'll look into it.
Not happy!
Has anyone ever heard of the shocks being adjusted at the factory to anything but minimum or being marked with red paint as a reference point?
I've had a conversation with the dealer about the fact the shocks have been adjusted, and incorrectly at that, without me being notified, and the manager has said he'll look into it.
Not happy!
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 679
Likes: 120
From: Fairbanks, AK.
I went to adjust my shocks today, and found that they had already been marked and adjusted. One was 2 turns out from minimum and the other 1 turn.
Has anyone ever heard of the shocks being adjusted at the factory to anything but minimum or being marked with red paint as a reference point?
I've had a conversation with the dealer about the fact the shocks have been adjusted, and incorrectly at that, without me being notified, and the manager has said he'll look into it.
Not happy!
Has anyone ever heard of the shocks being adjusted at the factory to anything but minimum or being marked with red paint as a reference point?
I've had a conversation with the dealer about the fact the shocks have been adjusted, and incorrectly at that, without me being notified, and the manager has said he'll look into it.
Not happy!
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
Well after speaking to the dealer I bought the bike from, who denied adjusting the shocks I thought it was me, then I spoke to the service manager, who said yes they had adjusted them at the request of the sales team, but had done so with out telling me.
I've now changed dealers, although this one is 2 hours away, but is the oldest dealer in Europe, and I've never had any complaints with them.
I've now changed dealers, although this one is 2 hours away, but is the oldest dealer in Europe, and I've never had any complaints with them.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
All I want is reasonable service
Is that too much to ask?
I changed the dealer I use, and I went to the one I used for my old Fatboy, as they were okay but I had stopped going there because they are a long way away.
They did the first service, fitted the stage1 stuff, and fitted the comfort shock I mentioned earlier in this thread.
The bill was almost Ł2000. The tuner is Ł500 alone so I knew it wasn't going to be cheap.
Once home I went to put a turn of preload on the shocks and noticed oil on each stanchion of each shock. Not wanting to admit my brand new shocks were faulty I searched for a possible leak from the Trans or Primary, and found the drain bolt wasn't tight on the Primary. I could turn it with my fingers. It had PTFE tape around the thread, which had no doubt stopped it falling out, but the O ring was clearly visible, so it was no where near tightened up.
I called the dealer, and to their credit they came out straight away and sorted it.
Although in doing so at one point the guy used the old gasket as a funnel to add some oil to the primary, the gasket had been discarded and had just been on the ground. I did mention about grit etc, but I wasn't quick enough to stop him. So now I've got to change the primary oil, again.
He also looked at the oil leaking from the shocks and said that it was shock oil, not Syn3, (yes I use Syn3 in all 3, please don't slate me for that I know Amsol is probably better) and he might have to warranty the shocks if they continue to leak, but it won't cover the workshop time I've already paid to have them fitted.
What really annoys me is the fact that I have the ability and qualifications to do all this work myself, but because of the warranty you have to get that little stamp in the book.
Yeah I know, I'm always moaning, but really, I think I'm justified this time.
I changed the dealer I use, and I went to the one I used for my old Fatboy, as they were okay but I had stopped going there because they are a long way away.
They did the first service, fitted the stage1 stuff, and fitted the comfort shock I mentioned earlier in this thread.
The bill was almost Ł2000. The tuner is Ł500 alone so I knew it wasn't going to be cheap.
Once home I went to put a turn of preload on the shocks and noticed oil on each stanchion of each shock. Not wanting to admit my brand new shocks were faulty I searched for a possible leak from the Trans or Primary, and found the drain bolt wasn't tight on the Primary. I could turn it with my fingers. It had PTFE tape around the thread, which had no doubt stopped it falling out, but the O ring was clearly visible, so it was no where near tightened up.
I called the dealer, and to their credit they came out straight away and sorted it.
Although in doing so at one point the guy used the old gasket as a funnel to add some oil to the primary, the gasket had been discarded and had just been on the ground. I did mention about grit etc, but I wasn't quick enough to stop him. So now I've got to change the primary oil, again.
He also looked at the oil leaking from the shocks and said that it was shock oil, not Syn3, (yes I use Syn3 in all 3, please don't slate me for that I know Amsol is probably better) and he might have to warranty the shocks if they continue to leak, but it won't cover the workshop time I've already paid to have them fitted.
What really annoys me is the fact that I have the ability and qualifications to do all this work myself, but because of the warranty you have to get that little stamp in the book.
Yeah I know, I'm always moaning, but really, I think I'm justified this time.
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