Calling all Shotgun Shock installers:
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
Calling all Shotgun Shock installers:
Thinking about biting the bullet, particularly after a recent "bottoming out" experience while riding with my son on back. I've got a few questions. Feel free to answer any that interest you and ignore what doesn't.
1. Since I chromed the front end, adding Progressive Monotubes at the same time, changed to beach bars and internalized the wires, and changed out to a chrome swing arm with all work done by me, I'm assuming that I'm out getting in over my head on this project. Agree?
2. I've got more mods than listed in number one. Are there any mods that will make this project impossible or require removal of some mod?
3. Roughly how long does this conversion usually take?
4. Is it just me, or are the pictures that appear with the instructions not really all that helpful?
5. As I recall, don't they give us some sort of discount for being HD Forum members?
6. Any helpful tips that will make the install go better?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
1. Since I chromed the front end, adding Progressive Monotubes at the same time, changed to beach bars and internalized the wires, and changed out to a chrome swing arm with all work done by me, I'm assuming that I'm out getting in over my head on this project. Agree?
2. I've got more mods than listed in number one. Are there any mods that will make this project impossible or require removal of some mod?
3. Roughly how long does this conversion usually take?
4. Is it just me, or are the pictures that appear with the instructions not really all that helpful?
5. As I recall, don't they give us some sort of discount for being HD Forum members?
6. Any helpful tips that will make the install go better?
Thanks for any help you can offer!
It's a piece of cake to install. Instructions are straight forward and takes maybe an hour or two install. If you call them and let them know your an hdforum member they will get it to your door for 1250.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
1. I wouldn't exactly call it a "piece of cake." The rear shoulder bolts are a B!TCH to "break"!
2. Not real cool disclosing sponsor discounts publicly on the forum. SS does not publish any discounts here or on their website, so the discount they give, if any, is their call. I don't believe there is any set forum member discount, nor is JD obliged to give one.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
I disagree on two points:
1. I wouldn't exactly call it a "piece of cake." The rear shoulder bolts are a B!TCH to "break"!
2. Not real cool disclosing sponsor discounts publicly on the forum. SS does not publish any discounts here or on their website, so the discount they give, if any, is their call. I don't believe there is any set forum member discount, nor is JD obliged to give one.
1. I wouldn't exactly call it a "piece of cake." The rear shoulder bolts are a B!TCH to "break"!
2. Not real cool disclosing sponsor discounts publicly on the forum. SS does not publish any discounts here or on their website, so the discount they give, if any, is their call. I don't believe there is any set forum member discount, nor is JD obliged to give one.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: AR
As stated, the rear shoulder bolts are the biggest pain of the whole install. I ended up using some MAPP gas to heat the mount bracket and the bolts came out a lot easier with the HD thread locker being warm!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
I used red Loctite, like the manual calls for. I have a heat gun that supposedly goes up to 1800 degrees. Is that warm enough to break that red Loctite bond?
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
I went to Lowe's and bought an extra long 3/4" box wrench (about $10) to loosen the swingarm bolts.
A little heat and one good grunt and they busted loose.
That wrench was also useful when it came time to put them back, as nothing else I had could reach in there.
As far as installing them, I used a Sears red to jack the bike up as far as it would go, then I placed a concrete block on each side of the jack topped with 4x4's, then I dropped the bike onto those before pulling the jack out - that gave me plenty of room to work plus it was quite stable.
I even used the jack under the tire to help manipulate the swingarm up and down as I removed the old shocks and installed the Shotgun - an extra set of hands was useful here too.
The hardest part was breaking those rear bolts loose (which really wasn't that bad) and finding a suitable path for the wiring up through the battery box.
If I had to do it again I could probably do the job in a couple of hours...
That discount for forum members is well known and often discussed here.
I mean, if we can't talk about a discount for forum members here in the forum, then what's the point?
A little heat and one good grunt and they busted loose.
That wrench was also useful when it came time to put them back, as nothing else I had could reach in there.
As far as installing them, I used a Sears red to jack the bike up as far as it would go, then I placed a concrete block on each side of the jack topped with 4x4's, then I dropped the bike onto those before pulling the jack out - that gave me plenty of room to work plus it was quite stable.
I even used the jack under the tire to help manipulate the swingarm up and down as I removed the old shocks and installed the Shotgun - an extra set of hands was useful here too.
The hardest part was breaking those rear bolts loose (which really wasn't that bad) and finding a suitable path for the wiring up through the battery box.
If I had to do it again I could probably do the job in a couple of hours...
That discount for forum members is well known and often discussed here.
I mean, if we can't talk about a discount for forum members here in the forum, then what's the point?
Last edited by jam436; Oct 5, 2015 at 01:35 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 198
Likes: 1
From: Lakeland, TN
I went to Lowe's and bought an extra long 3/4" box wrench (about $10) to loosen the swingarm bolts.
A little heat and one good grunt and they busted loose.
That wrench was also useful when it came time to put them back, as nothing else I had could reach in there.
As far as installing them, I used a Sears red to jack the bike up as far as it would go, then I placed a concrete block on each side of the jack topped with 4x4's, then I dropped the bike onto those before pulling the jack out - that gave me plenty of room to work plus it was quite stable.
I even used the jack under the tire to help manipulate the swingarm up and down as I removed the old shocks and installed the Shotgun - an extra set of hands was useful here too.
The hardest part was breaking those rear bolts loose (which really wasn't that bad) and finding a suitable path for the wiring up through the battery box.
If I had to do it again I could probably do the job in a couple of hours...
That discount for forum members is well known and often discussed here.
I mean, if we can't talk about a discount for forum members here in the forum, then what's the point?
A little heat and one good grunt and they busted loose.
That wrench was also useful when it came time to put them back, as nothing else I had could reach in there.
As far as installing them, I used a Sears red to jack the bike up as far as it would go, then I placed a concrete block on each side of the jack topped with 4x4's, then I dropped the bike onto those before pulling the jack out - that gave me plenty of room to work plus it was quite stable.
I even used the jack under the tire to help manipulate the swingarm up and down as I removed the old shocks and installed the Shotgun - an extra set of hands was useful here too.
The hardest part was breaking those rear bolts loose (which really wasn't that bad) and finding a suitable path for the wiring up through the battery box.
If I had to do it again I could probably do the job in a couple of hours...
That discount for forum members is well known and often discussed here.
I mean, if we can't talk about a discount for forum members here in the forum, then what's the point?