OK, first, I'm not super mechanical, I mostly count on the guys that are and do that as their profession. So, if you just want to rag on me how about shutting up and typing elsewhere. Same for if you want to rag on me for anything else.

My bike is harsh over expansion joints. I presume I'd want to adjust the shock to a softer setting but wanted to check to be sure I wasn't mistaken. Thanks.

 

May help since as stock they are set up for two up. However do not expect miracles. And it is a pain since (at least on mine it was locktite good and I like to never got it broke loose, so I would bite the bullet and pay someone. I put the SE longer shocks on mine and set them soft as they would go since I do not ride two up. However not sure if it was the loss of travel (SE shocks are longer and drive wheel up into fender lowering bike by about 1") or what but it will bottom out now on the bump stop on some bumps that it did not before.

 

The Shotgun Shock is the answer to all of your riding needs no matter what they are. I know they are a tad expensive yet worth every penny. Riding became so much more fun for me after I put them on my sled. I was getting bored again with my bike until the day they were installed on my bike. Also, don't worry what others think of how you do the things you want done to your bike. I work so much that when I get a day off I want to ride it, not work on it even though I like wrenching on my sled. We are all different and thats what makes the world go round. If we were all the same all of our bikes would look alike and that would be really boring. There are some smoking hot bikes on this site and i like the fact I can now park mine next to any bike and have it hold its own. Many are much nicer than my bike but that is where I also get some of my idea's. I don't know that I would have bought the shotgun shock for my bike if it were not for this site and that I am happy and glad for. Do your own thing however you want to get it done. It's your bike, your money. Enjoy it as much as you can any way you see fit to get r done!!!

 

Been to Houston many times and I know some of the roads can be pretty rough (as compared to FL anyway), so I agree the Shotguns are the best answer. I've always heard softails come from the factory with the shocks set on the softest setting but maybe that's not true, I don't know. Here is a link to a post that tells you how to adjust them. Just scroll down until you get to it.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...-or-2-a-4.html

 

Make sure you check your tire pressure and feel free to adjust your rear shocks. I did. Did wonders for the ride on my bike. I have no first-hand knowledge about the shotgun shocks (I have heard nothing but great reviews), but adjusting your shocks costs nothing. Worth trying first.

 

That Shotgun shock looks good but for upwards of $2k installed I think I'd be better holding off on that to eventually put toward a new bike. I'll see about an adjustment of my stock setup. I've got quiet baffles to have installed and will get it checked then.

 

Every one I've adjusted was on the softest setting from the dealer. I don't know if they came that way from the factory (I suspect so) or if my dealer sets em that way (doubtful). I've had to crank out at least 3 turns though. Latest were my '12 slim and my aunt's '12 deluxe.

 

Found This and saved it to refer to and share. This should help.

"Softails's come from the factory with the lightest setting for the rear shocks (for <180lbs solo rider). However, they can handle well over 400lbs with no problems with a simple preload adjustment.

The service manual is a bit vague on how to set the preload. The procedure I use is fairly simple. Its based on the procedure from fatbillscustoms.com, but their website is gone now. It was fairly detained. I've made some tweaks to it for simplicity... Enjoy...

1) Jack the bike up so the rear tire is off the ground. The more clearance you have the easier it is. Don't forget to strap the bike down. You don't want it falling on you while your wrenching underneath it.
2) Loosen the jam nut all the way out. Its a 1-11/16" nut. If it doesn't want to loosen easily (which is often the case), soak it in some penetrating lube.
3) With a spanner wrench (HD p/n 94448-82B) turn the adjuster plate counter-clockwise (so the shock housing moves towards the front of the bike) until its up against the jam nut.
4) Then take a light colored paint pen, or a piece of duck tape, and mark the 6 o'clock position on the adjuster plate to use as a reference point when doing your adjustment. Don't worry if they're not in exactly the same position on both shocks. Thats normal.

Now your ready to adjust the shocks to your weight/load.

5) With the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate clockwise no more then 4 complete turns by counting how many times the mark from step 4 crosses the 6 o'clock position. 0 turns is the stiffest setting, and 4 turns is the softest setting.
6) While holding the adjuster plate in place with the spanner wrench, tighten the jam nut up against the adjuster plate by turning the nut clockwise.
6) Now repeat the exact same process on the other shock. The key is to adjust both shocks equally.

The general rule of thumb I use is:
4 turns for load <= 180 lbs
3 turns for 180lbs < load <= 235lbs
2 turns for 235lbs < load <= 300lbs
1 turn for 300lbs < load <= 375lbs
0 turns for 375 < load

Examples:
235lbs solo rider: 3 full turns
235lbs solo rider + 32lbs pack: 2.5 turns
235lbs rider + 150lbs passenger + 32lbs pack: 0.5 turns

I like a slightly stiffer ride when running solo (3 turns for my 235lbs fat booty), but run a softer ride when my girlies on the back (1 turn). Adjust your shock to taste by 1/4 turn increments till you get it dialed in for you and your riding style.

Note: you may be tempted to skip step 1 and not jack the bike up. Resist the urge. A stock ride height with the bike on its kick-stand, you may be able to use a crowsfoot or similar to get the jam nut loose, but you will have little to no room to use the spanner wrench. So take the time to do it right and jack the bike up. It only takes a minute (including strapping the bike down).

Enjoy..."

 

I did all that but the opposite.

I made sure the shocks were cranked all the way down (not out). That's softest (default btw). Marked em and let out to he same scale as above but reverse order (1 turn is 180-235).
Clear as mud?

 

Yeah, clear as mud basically but I'm going on the theory the tech will know all about it and if I say I want "this setting" they'll know how to set it.