Rear shocks bottoming out...
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 32
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Rear shocks bottoming out...
I have a modified '99 night train with a 200 rear tire on it. It is rubbing on the fender when I hit a big bump on have my little woman (124 lbs on a bad day) on the back. I was going to adjust the preload stiffer, so I just stuck a mirror under the bike and I can't see any threads showing. The bike only has 10,000 miles on it.
What are my options. I really don't want to change the ride height. Thanks guys.
Geez, just looked at my sig (haven't been on in a while) and I need to update my pic. I've chopped 5" off rear fender, have a custom seat, got rid of the tail light (it was only a light, no brake), added a mercury customs under fender LED run/brake/turn light custom molded to the shape of the fender, etc.
What are my options. I really don't want to change the ride height. Thanks guys.
Geez, just looked at my sig (haven't been on in a while) and I need to update my pic. I've chopped 5" off rear fender, have a custom seat, got rid of the tail light (it was only a light, no brake), added a mercury customs under fender LED run/brake/turn light custom molded to the shape of the fender, etc.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 11
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attach a pic of the little woman; if she's a jumper, I'm sure someone will let her ride with them and you won't have to worry about bottoming out. Seriously, you didn't say if you had a lowering kit on the rear. If you do, then that's your problem. Most people with them have problems bottoming out riding solo. Good luck.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 250
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From: Seattle
I know you said that there were no threads showing for shock adjustment but I would think it has to be the dampening adjustment. Looks like you are lowered and have an aftermarket fender on there so maybe the fender change isn't helping. I would jack that thing up and get a close look at adjusting the shocks. Are you sure it is the fender it is hitting and not the swingarm bump stop?
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Intermediate
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I haven't installed a lowering kit, but I don't know what they look like, so maybe the previous owner did.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
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I know you said that there were no threads showing for shock adjustment but I would think it has to be the dampening adjustment. Looks like you are lowered and have an aftermarket fender on there so maybe the fender change isn't helping. I would jack that thing up and get a close look at adjusting the shocks. Are you sure it is the fender it is hitting and not the swingarm bump stop?
Honestly, the bike has plenty of ground clearance, much more than many I've seen. Yes it hits the fender, I can see the smooth/polished spot under the fender and now it's rubbing on that custom LED tail light I have mounted under the last couple inches of the rear fender. So I want to stiffen it up a bit.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 480
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
attach a pic of the little woman; if she's a jumper, I'm sure someone will let her ride with them and you won't have to worry about bottoming out. Seriously, you didn't say if you had a lowering kit on the rear. If you do, then that's your problem. Most people with them have problems bottoming out riding solo. Good luck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
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From: Newcastle, Ca.
Is the fender centered? Equal distance from tire to led on each side. If the led bolt is sticking out into the fender well, trim off some of the bolt. Dont be afraid to pull, bend, the fender out a bit to provide more clearance if everything else is set correctly. Or take it to a paint, body shop, they will do it for you.