Monoshock replacement?
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
Monoshock replacement?
The 2019 service manual is a great reference, but sometimes it gets very vague. Im thinking about an Ohlins monoshock for my Fat Boy, and am trying to see how the shock is replaced. I was hoping it was a simple two bolt install, but its not looking quite that easy.
Has anyone done it? I know not a lot of ppl in this forum wrench, but I was hoping someone may have had a look at it.
Thanks.
Has anyone done it? I know not a lot of ppl in this forum wrench, but I was hoping someone may have had a look at it.
Thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
Other than the small mounting bolt for the adjuster control, it is only one bolt top and bottom. You need a long torx head for use with a socket to reach the lower bolt. The top bolt is a standard bolt and nut.
You do need a jack or lift the will raise the rear to release the tension on the bolts when removing and more so when reinstalling the new shock in order to line up the bolts with the holes. My cheap Harbor Freight lift worked fine to do this.
The whole remove and replace took less than a half hour of actual change time.
You do need a jack or lift the will raise the rear to release the tension on the bolts when removing and more so when reinstalling the new shock in order to line up the bolts with the holes. My cheap Harbor Freight lift worked fine to do this.
The whole remove and replace took less than a half hour of actual change time.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
Other than the small mounting bolt for the adjuster control, it is only one bolt top and bottom. You need a long torx head for use with a socket to reach the lower bolt. The top bolt is a standard bolt and nut.
You do need a jack or lift the will raise the rear to release the tension on the bolts when removing and more so when reinstalling the new shock in order to line up the bolts with the holes. My cheap Harbor Freight lift worked fine to do this.
The whole remove and replace took less than a half hour of actual change time.
You do need a jack or lift the will raise the rear to release the tension on the bolts when removing and more so when reinstalling the new shock in order to line up the bolts with the holes. My cheap Harbor Freight lift worked fine to do this.
The whole remove and replace took less than a half hour of actual change time.
Now to come up with the eight bills for the shock!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 809
From: Ormond Beach, Florida
I changed out my monoshock and the front suspension for the H-D low profile suspensions because I HAD to lower my Cherry. Personally I havn't heard anything about the Ohlins or other after market shocks that would make me want to change out the stock suspension. If you are doing it just for comfort I feel you might be wasting your $$$. From all the reports I've read herein these threads, the new suspension on the '18 and up Softails really can't be improved on much for comfort. If you are trying to change the height, that is another story.
And, in my case, changing out the front suspension and using the heavy fork oil made the most diference in how the bike feels and reacts to heavy braking. Much more stable.
If and when you do change it out please write a full report to let us know if they should be considered.
Thanks
And, in my case, changing out the front suspension and using the heavy fork oil made the most diference in how the bike feels and reacts to heavy braking. Much more stable.
If and when you do change it out please write a full report to let us know if they should be considered.
Thanks
Last edited by FrankEV; Sep 25, 2018 at 03:23 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
I changed out my monoshock and the front suspension for the H-D low profile suspensions because I HAD to lower my Cherry. Personally I havn't heard anything about the Ohlins or other after market shocks that would make me want to change out the stock suspension. If you are doing it just for comfort I feel you might be wasting your $$$. From all the reports I've read herein these threads, the new suspension on the '18 and up Softails really can't be improved on much for comfort. If you are trying to change the height, that is another story.
And, in my case, changing out the front suspension and using the heavy fork oil made the most diference in how the bike feels and reacts to heavy braking. Much more stable.
If and when you do change it out please write a full report to let us know if they should be considered.
Thanks
And, in my case, changing out the front suspension and using the heavy fork oil made the most diference in how the bike feels and reacts to heavy braking. Much more stable.
If and when you do change it out please write a full report to let us know if they should be considered.
Thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I removed my rear fender when swapping as recommended by the service manual which added a few steps. Minor pita, but fine. Youll need loctitte also. Sounds like Frank didnt need to, so maybe I could have skipped that part.
Many aspects of a shock can make it perform better without comfort or height being the reigning concern. The stock Heritage shock is the best factory shock Ive ridden from HD, but Im sure the Ohlin would be significantly better performing.
800 is pretty budget for an Ohlin. Im assuming its a taller shock as well?
Many aspects of a shock can make it perform better without comfort or height being the reigning concern. The stock Heritage shock is the best factory shock Ive ridden from HD, but Im sure the Ohlin would be significantly better performing.
800 is pretty budget for an Ohlin. Im assuming its a taller shock as well?
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 10,734
Likes: 3,755
From: SWFL
I removed my rear fender when swapping as recommended by the service manual which added a few steps. Minor pita, but fine. Youll need loctitte also. Sounds like Frank didnt need to, so maybe I could have skipped that part.
Many aspects of a shock can make it perform better without comfort or height being the reigning concern. The stock Heritage shock is the best factory shock Ive ridden from HD, but Im sure the Ohlin would be significantly better performing.
800 is pretty budget for an Ohlin. Im assuming its a taller shock as well?
Many aspects of a shock can make it perform better without comfort or height being the reigning concern. The stock Heritage shock is the best factory shock Ive ridden from HD, but Im sure the Ohlin would be significantly better performing.
800 is pretty budget for an Ohlin. Im assuming its a taller shock as well?
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
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From: SWFL
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Texas
Impressive that Ohlins has a softail solution. I have Ohlins front and rear on my Road Glide and am very satisfied and impressed every time I ride it.
Are you going to install Ohlins front cartridges along with the mono shock?
Are you going to install Ohlins front cartridges along with the mono shock?