Softail Shock Adjustment
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Softail Shock Adjustment
Last week I did several searches with regard to adjusting rear shocks on my Heritage. There were several detailed posts, some were confusing and some were wrong. My dealer had mine set up in the "center" adjustment. This setting rode well, but bottomed out on bumps and dragged the boards often when riding 2 up. This is what you need, a adjustment spanner wrench avail on Amazon, Ebay or dealer, a 1 and 1/16" open end wrench, a 9/16" open end wrench, a can of WD 40, and an extra large Channel Lock pliers is a good option. I raised the bike on a center jack, placed just forward of the crossmenber. Install 9/16" wrench on shaft and the 1 1/16" wrench on the lock not. Lossen the lock nut and remove wrenches. Lightly spray the threads with WD-40 and hand spin the lock nuts forward as far as you can, turn the cans forward against the lock nuts, by hand, using spanner or use the Channel Lock pliers. Turn cans forward until they are even with each other visually. Spin lock nuts and tighten against cans. The more forward the cans/nuts the stiffer the ride and the higher the ground clearance. I did find the ride and handling greatly improved for 2 up riding. Well worth the time and effort to adjust.
Last edited by checkers; Jun 30, 2013 at 05:48 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,974
Likes: 914
From: Omaha
1) Get shock adjustment tool from dealer- P/N- 94448-82B $10.95
2) Jack the bike up so the rear tire is off the ground. The more clearance you have the easier it is.
3) Loosen the jam nut all the way out with the shock adjustment tool or use a 1-1/16" wrench. If it doesn't want to loosen easily (which is often the case), soak it in some penetrating lube.
4) With the shock adjustment tool turn the shock cans counter-clockwise (so the shock housing moves towards the front of the bike) until it’s up against the jam nut.
5) Then take a light colored paint pen, or a piece of duct tape, and mark the 6 o'clock position on the shock cans to use as a reference point when doing your adjustment.
6) With the shock adjustment tool, turn the shock cans clockwise no more than 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.
7) Tighten the jam nut up against the shock cans by turning the nut clockwise.
8) Now repeat the exact same process on the other shock. The key is to adjust both shocks equally.
The general rule of thumb 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
2) Jack the bike up so the rear tire is off the ground. The more clearance you have the easier it is.
3) Loosen the jam nut all the way out with the shock adjustment tool or use a 1-1/16" wrench. If it doesn't want to loosen easily (which is often the case), soak it in some penetrating lube.
4) With the shock adjustment tool turn the shock cans counter-clockwise (so the shock housing moves towards the front of the bike) until it’s up against the jam nut.
5) Then take a light colored paint pen, or a piece of duct tape, and mark the 6 o'clock position on the shock cans to use as a reference point when doing your adjustment.
6) With the shock adjustment tool, turn the shock cans clockwise no more than 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.
7) Tighten the jam nut up against the shock cans by turning the nut clockwise.
8) Now repeat the exact same process on the other shock. The key is to adjust both shocks equally.
The general rule of thumb 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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
