too low
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
` Adjust preload on rear shocks
` Learn to use your body a little. Slide on your seat a little inward, into the turn, sit upright, even a little forward. Enter turn a little slower, and increase throttle slowly through the turn. This sets your suspension up, higher. Braking or throttling on-then-off while in the turn lowers suspension = bad.
` Upgrade rear suspension. 422's cant be beat for the price.
` Upgrade front suspension with stiffer springs for your weight. Race tech springs with Gold Valves or Race Tech with Ricor Intiminators. Others like monotubes
` Do not lower/remove bike suspension. If you install 21", you will need to lower front suspension, decreasing fork travel.
` As for raising the rear, with 422's if you remove about 1/8" off the rear adjusting nut (grinder works great), shortening the shock 1/8", it will raise the back almost 1/2". Do this after you add better springs up front and set sag. This will/can change rake/trail a little. Raising rear allows easier turn initiation, quicker turning for twisities, and yet very stable at speed going straight. Start with raising rear ~1/4" first and see if you like it or notice a difference. Then try a little more. Set preload first of course. Softails are raked more then other bikes and have a lot of trail which allows a lot of margin to personalize handling.
Research and understand suspension and riding cruiser techniques. It is a bit more challenging then other bikes, but fun for some crazy reason.
` Learn to use your body a little. Slide on your seat a little inward, into the turn, sit upright, even a little forward. Enter turn a little slower, and increase throttle slowly through the turn. This sets your suspension up, higher. Braking or throttling on-then-off while in the turn lowers suspension = bad.
` Upgrade rear suspension. 422's cant be beat for the price.
` Upgrade front suspension with stiffer springs for your weight. Race tech springs with Gold Valves or Race Tech with Ricor Intiminators. Others like monotubes
` Do not lower/remove bike suspension. If you install 21", you will need to lower front suspension, decreasing fork travel.
` As for raising the rear, with 422's if you remove about 1/8" off the rear adjusting nut (grinder works great), shortening the shock 1/8", it will raise the back almost 1/2". Do this after you add better springs up front and set sag. This will/can change rake/trail a little. Raising rear allows easier turn initiation, quicker turning for twisities, and yet very stable at speed going straight. Start with raising rear ~1/4" first and see if you like it or notice a difference. Then try a little more. Set preload first of course. Softails are raked more then other bikes and have a lot of trail which allows a lot of margin to personalize handling.
Research and understand suspension and riding cruiser techniques. It is a bit more challenging then other bikes, but fun for some crazy reason.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood,Ca.
While all are good thoughts, I may be in my 60s, I'm not in a wheel chair yet. I still like curving the turns... Ordered a Shotgun Shock. Price? My motto is... if I want something, BUY IT!! Adjusting the stocks might help the ride but is still too low for me. I don't need to look cool and have it slammed, so I'll let ya know how the shotgun shock works out.. tnx for your ideas....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
While all are good thoughts, I may be in my 60s, I'm not in a wheel chair yet. I still like curving the turns... Ordered a Shotgun Shock. Price? My motto is... if I want something, BUY IT!! Adjusting the stocks might help the ride but is still too low for me. I don't need to look cool and have it slammed, so I'll let ya know how the shotgun shock works out.. tnx for your ideas....
Last edited by Tailsfrommycrib; Jul 23, 2015 at 07:32 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Cottonwood,Ca.
They make a stock item. Everything can be tweaked to be better. If you don't know that you live a dull life...don't start flaming me it was just an observation I have come to beleive.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 376
Likes: 70
From: Cardiff, CA
No flaming - did you test ride the Heritage before you bought it?
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I also had the dealer firm up the shock at the 1K service. that stopped the bottoming out on bumps.52k on our Heritage, scrapped maybe 10 times since we got it new in 07.
Rode the dragon 2 yrs ago and there was a lot of others riding it, I keep up with the pack and never scrapped once.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 146
Likes: 2
From: New Paltz
I find it funny when the topic of scrapping comes up, people love to tell other how not to ride their bike.
If you like to carve turns on your softail, do it. If you like to cruise and take it a little easier, do it.
I'm generally a cruising type of guy, but occasionally I enjoy a little hotdoging.
As for Shotgun Shocks, I installed them this spring and they a freaking fantastic for all styles of riding, solo or 2 up.
If you like to carve turns on your softail, do it. If you like to cruise and take it a little easier, do it.
I'm generally a cruising type of guy, but occasionally I enjoy a little hotdoging.
As for Shotgun Shocks, I installed them this spring and they a freaking fantastic for all styles of riding, solo or 2 up.