Early softail suspension

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Mar 22, 2023 | 10:43 PM

kingrory

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Mar 2023

Posts: 2

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From: Ewa Beach, Hawaai

Early softail suspension

Hello all,
I have a 87 FXST and I’ve been banging my head against the wall trying to find rear shocks. Dennis Kirk has a set but the reviews are mixed. Can a newer set be made to work? Replace swing arm? Need help please. I’m a fair mechanic but not a machinist. Thanks

Mar 23, 2023 | 09:23 AM

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,144

Likes: 11,219

From: San Diego, CA

You have found the achilles heel of the softails.... they have always had minimal choices in aftermarket shocks. Now the older ones are even harder to find...

I don't know for sure, but in the parts diagrams, your year OEM shocks (54520-86 rightt / 54508-86 left) look to be a bit longer than the the newer shocks 2000+.....

Based on just that diagram, I would think it would take some modification to make them fit...

The softail shocks appear to have changed starting in 2000, both in design and length. But, again, that is just based on a picture and part numbers, not an actual comparison between the two...

I never touched the shocks in my 1989 Heritage, I don't even remember what they looked like.....

Someone with experience handling various years of softail shocks will post up to say for sure.....

IMHO.... I wouldn't buy a set for a newer bikes unless someone posts up that they made them work and how easy/difficult it was....

Mar 24, 2023 | 03:09 PM

ThePaintPirate

Club Member

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 2,969

Likes: 1,730

From: SE Iowa

It's not the swingarm you need to be concerned for, its where the shocks mount to the frame under the bike, that's what changed in 2000 I think, not exact on the year but around there.

Mar 25, 2023 | 11:11 AM

Uncle G.

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Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 9,332

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From: Upstate New York

IIRC, the shock design changed in 1989. I believe the shocks for later Evo Softails had the same style mounts, but were larger in diameter, and that is why they don't fit the '86-'88 models. I believe there were modifications to the frame or swingarm to accommodate them. I suspect there is someone here who knows more about Evo Softail shocks than I do.

Mar 26, 2023 | 07:06 AM

98hotrodfatboy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 21,095

Likes: 7,622

From: Poolville

They are specific.. I would try to find a shop that can rebuild what you have.. No one ever really made a decent replacement.. It is about the Diameter..

You can PM @misfitJason .. He has a set for sale at this link...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-e...eservoirs.html

Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Mar 26, 2023 at 07:09 AM.

Mar 30, 2023 | 10:10 PM

kingrory

Thread Starter

Stage II

Joined: Mar 2023

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Ewa Beach, Hawaai

Thank you for all of the reply’s. I think I will roll the dice and try the set from Dennis Kirk, the neg reviews seem to center around lack of instructions. According to my service manual, the original shocks are unserviceable.