flip out mode full force shotgun install
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 2
From: Mill City Mass.
flip out mode full force shotgun install
Never again would I try I try installing a shotgun shock. I hope the newer softails are much easier but my 1996 is a pain in @ss. Theres zero room for the compressor but I got in. Being an earlier model I got the figure 8 clamp to mount it. The bolt it came with was going to grab 3 threads to tighten on so I went to the hardware store for a longer one and that worked fine. Step one comp Installed sweet.........
Now im trying to get the shock itself in not fun and im tweakin. I cant get the front bolts to even start cause the shock seems too big for the space under there wtf!!! Theres absolutely nothing in the way it just doesnt faq'in fit. Add on the fact its a tight space to work anyway and this install f'in sucks. Never again. The instructions online basically tell you the common sense stuff like what order to go in but lack real description. I even went back and tried one of the old shocks and sure as **** it went right in bolts n all. So why the hell wont this one piece unit just slip in and bolt down!!!!!!!!!! I havent even tried putting the harness's in yet and the fitting for the air line to the shock has basically disapeared in that tight shock compartment so even if the shock was I stalled how is one supposed to feed the air line in. Yes I know its a simple push in line but really its gonna be hell routing it in and connecting it. Seems like the shock should be upsidedown so the airline pops out the bottom but what ive seen online thats not the case.
Just venting thats all
Now im trying to get the shock itself in not fun and im tweakin. I cant get the front bolts to even start cause the shock seems too big for the space under there wtf!!! Theres absolutely nothing in the way it just doesnt faq'in fit. Add on the fact its a tight space to work anyway and this install f'in sucks. Never again. The instructions online basically tell you the common sense stuff like what order to go in but lack real description. I even went back and tried one of the old shocks and sure as **** it went right in bolts n all. So why the hell wont this one piece unit just slip in and bolt down!!!!!!!!!! I havent even tried putting the harness's in yet and the fitting for the air line to the shock has basically disapeared in that tight shock compartment so even if the shock was I stalled how is one supposed to feed the air line in. Yes I know its a simple push in line but really its gonna be hell routing it in and connecting it. Seems like the shock should be upsidedown so the airline pops out the bottom but what ive seen online thats not the case.
Just venting thats all
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale, New York
Walk away for a while and gather some thoughts. Someone will chime in in a bit and give you some advice. Good luck Brother, stay calm, its only a Shock, you'll get it to work............
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Central Pa
I'm not sure if this will help or not since you are installing on an older model and I am not sure what all that involves. But when I installed mine I ran into something similar...turned out to be the air fitting on top of the shock was hitting the compressor. I just turned it in a slightly different direction and it solved the problem.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Call of Pm JD, he's good people and will help you get that thing installed, I don't care what kind of Softail you have or how old it is. The customer service is just as good if not better then the product itself.
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 558
Likes: 21
From: Oklahoma City, OK
Take the front bolts back out. Put a jack under the rear to push it into the fender. The shock body will swing down. Hook up the air line. Hold the body back in place white letting the rear down slowly. Put the bolts back in. It does take a lot of time and patience but satisfying and worth it in the end.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 2
From: Mill City Mass.
Take the front bolts back out. Put a jack under the rear to push it into the fender. The shock body will swing down. Hook up the air line. Hold the body back in place white letting the rear down slowly. Put the bolts back in. It does take a lot of time and patience but satisfying and worth it in the end.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Thanks for the advise guys. I haven't gone back to trying yet, had a buddys birthday dinner to attend (which gave me time to cool off) but to respond I cant even get the front bolts in so taking em out will be easy haha. Also I have the rear tire completely off as well as the inner fender to install the comp so a jack under the tire isnt an issue cause I can move the swingarm by hand all the way up and down. I will try to see if the comp is in the way but like I said its not hitting anything but the frame. Not sure how a new softail is under there but you cant swing the shock around. You have to insert the rear of the shock in thru the frame first and pivot the front up in place. Thats how the frame is its not wide open. Very frustrating. I'll hit it hard tomorrow but my hopes are very low that its going to be any smoother.
It will all fit though, just be patient and keep working it. The airline can stay in the natural shape it came in but connect it to the shock side first.
As for the harness there is really not much detail in the instructions but if you mess with it you will see from the lengths that it is meant to go up into the LH side of the batt box (I hope) You have to figure out how to route and secure it with zip strips in a way so that it can never come in contact with the belt...dont spare the zip strips.
Also when putting the shock body in I put the bike on jack stands and lowered the lift out of the way.
This is what I ended up doing with the harness (not yet road tested)
Last edited by Motown Strag; Feb 3, 2013 at 08:45 AM.