Adjusting softail shocks?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
Adjusting softail shocks?
Can you count the exposed threads past the jam nuts to estimate where your shocks are set, as far as soft , hard or midway? Does anyone know how many threads are exposed for full soft and full hard?
Thanks,
Tom
Thanks,
Tom
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
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From:
RE: Adjusting softail shocks?
I don't have that answer and it may depend on the individual bike. They are set at the factory for one rider and I suspect each set of shocks can have differents resistance.
Remember they adjust the opposite of what is logical. You turm them counterclockwise to tighten up the shock resistance. You can only turn about 1/3 of a turn at a time with the spanner. The wrench hits the frame rails. I measured each shock adjustment the same and went out about 1 1/2 turns. It made a world of difference in the handling of the bike and works a lot better for two up riding with gear.
Counting the threads is a good way to keep track of your personal bike adjustments though. Good luck.
Be carefull they are a bit hard to loosen up, don't dump the bike on you when you put some body english into the wrench.
Remember they adjust the opposite of what is logical. You turm them counterclockwise to tighten up the shock resistance. You can only turn about 1/3 of a turn at a time with the spanner. The wrench hits the frame rails. I measured each shock adjustment the same and went out about 1 1/2 turns. It made a world of difference in the handling of the bike and works a lot better for two up riding with gear.
Counting the threads is a good way to keep track of your personal bike adjustments though. Good luck.
Be carefull they are a bit hard to loosen up, don't dump the bike on you when you put some body english into the wrench.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
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From:
RE: Adjusting softail shocks?
First off I do not know the answer to your question. I would have to guess that if the same shock is used with different models or models that are similar but much differently equiped then they may adjust them heavy or soft at the factory. Of course its also quite possible that no adjusts anything at the factory and they simply come off the line cranked all the way heavy, or soft, or maybe halfway inbetween.
I ordered a set of extenders for the forward shock boltsto lower my Deuce, I expect to do it next week. I had planned to adjust the shocks at the same time. Somewhere I read that a deflection of 3/4" with rider aboard was about right so that is what I was going to adjust to. Iwill make the measurement from license plate to floor. Normally with something like this I'd just count turns at the shock, do one side then do the other, maybe a quarter turn at a time. I like your idea of counting threads though and I'll do it that way unless someone suggests otherwise.
Just to get it right, here is what my 2002 Service Manual has to say about it: "Both shock absorber adjuster plates must be adjusted to the same position. Not having the springs adjusted to the same length could adversly affect handling. This may lead to loss of control of the motorcycle and ..." I noticed that they say to get them the same length, so your thread count is probably a good way to do it.
As noted above, the manual says "Turning the adjuster plates OUT (toward the locknut) increases the spring preload to carry a heavier load"
I ordered a set of extenders for the forward shock boltsto lower my Deuce, I expect to do it next week. I had planned to adjust the shocks at the same time. Somewhere I read that a deflection of 3/4" with rider aboard was about right so that is what I was going to adjust to. Iwill make the measurement from license plate to floor. Normally with something like this I'd just count turns at the shock, do one side then do the other, maybe a quarter turn at a time. I like your idea of counting threads though and I'll do it that way unless someone suggests otherwise.
Just to get it right, here is what my 2002 Service Manual has to say about it: "Both shock absorber adjuster plates must be adjusted to the same position. Not having the springs adjusted to the same length could adversly affect handling. This may lead to loss of control of the motorcycle and ..." I noticed that they say to get them the same length, so your thread count is probably a good way to do it.
As noted above, the manual says "Turning the adjuster plates OUT (toward the locknut) increases the spring preload to carry a heavier load"
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville TN
RE: Adjusting softail shocks?
I dont count the threads. I count the turns of the (what ever that thingy is called) I take a dab of paint and make a dot on that turning thingy. It makes for easy counting. Just make sure you pay attention to what your doing or you will lose count. [8D]
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 0
From: Central Virginia
RE: Adjusting softail shocks?
From info. gleaned from another site, if you can count four threads in front of the jam nut, then the shock is pre-loaded for a soft ride. Less threads equal stiffer suspension.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
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From: Nevada
RE: Adjusting softail shocks?
The answer to the original question of counting threads is yes.
This has worked for me.
4 threads-180#
3 181-237
2238-293
1 294-349
0 350+
This has worked for me.
4 threads-180#
3 181-237
2238-293
1 294-349
0 350+
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
RE: Adjusting softail shocks?
I would have to go all the way to the hardest setting to take my wife for a ride. I think one good ride will pretty well do her in with the little pass.pad I have. I guess if she wants to start to ride a bit, I will have to buy a new combination driver's and pass. seat. I won't mind switching seats back and forth depending if she is riding with me. The biggest PITA will be adjusting the shocks back and forth. I guess I could try setting the shocks about midway and hoping they will be acceptable for solo and dual riding.
There must be a lot of softail owners that setup the shocks for dual riding and just leave it that way, when they ride solo. There is also probablya large number of owners that have never reset the shocks, from the soft position and ride 2 up.
I still don't understand why HD doesn't just put air shocks on the softail,so it would be an easy task to adjust them.
Tom
There must be a lot of softail owners that setup the shocks for dual riding and just leave it that way, when they ride solo. There is also probablya large number of owners that have never reset the shocks, from the soft position and ride 2 up.
I still don't understand why HD doesn't just put air shocks on the softail,so it would be an easy task to adjust them.
Tom
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,300
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From: Central Virginia
RE: Adjusting softail shocks?
You might want to give it a test ride w/ your wife on-board before going through the trouble of adjusting the pre-load.
After lowering the rear of my bike, I was worried that it would bottom out occasionally with my wife on back. It didn't. I've never adjusted the pre-load, either.
After lowering the rear of my bike, I was worried that it would bottom out occasionally with my wife on back. It didn't. I've never adjusted the pre-load, either.
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