I can't believe how tight this one stubborn shock is. This is on a new heritage. I sprayed with wd40 and it still won't budge. The piece of chit hd wrench just bends and slips out. I have a couple of busted knuckles to show for it. The right shock turns fairly easy though. Just for kicks, the shocks do adjust in the same direction and are not opposite thread right? Thanks for all the help!

 

Yep, same direction on both shocks. Mine adjusted with no problems using the Harley wrench, sounds like you got a tough one.

 

Just for grins, try going the other way FIRST. That way if there is something, dirt, rocks or the odd cat parts, stuck in the threads you should be able to dislodge it and flush it out with some WD-40 or something like it.

 

Did you ever get your shocks adjusted?
Tom

 

bh73: Just curious, but are you trying to lower the rearend? If that's the case, I may try it on mine.

 

Which way do you turn them for a softer ride, mine bottoms out if I hit a cigarette butt.

GT

 

I haven't adjusted mine yet ,so I don't know if it is set hard or soft. I am happy with the current setting, but will no doubt mess around with it to see what the difference feels like.
The manual says that turning the adjuster plates out (toward locknut) increases spring preload, to carry a heavier load. The manual doesn't state how many turns there are from softest to hardest setting. How many settings ,if any are there between soft and hard?
I don't have the required spanner wrench. I found a heavy duty spanner wrench on this site doing a search, that I will order in the next few days.
http://hometown.aol.com/jqdw/tailwrench.html
Tom

 

Adjusting spring preload does not lower bike, it stiffens or softens the ride, sometime after you lower a softail, you need to adjust the preload up to keep it from bottoming out. Mostly heavy riders, two up, and loaded down for long trips.

 

By adjusting the shocks, how low will the moto go--inch and a half? two inches? How low can you go?

 

chester, i didn't see your post before i asked my question, but i guess you answered my question. Anyhow, what is one way of lowering a bike? thanks.