WorksPerformance Springer Dampener Review
Having been a fan of the springer front end look for as long as I could remember I wasent ignorant of the obvious draw backs when compared to a modern telescopic or inverted fort package. There is obvious draw backs when you compare a give and take spring setup driven by a cantilever rocker at the axle versus the latter. This was never more apparent then when I purchased my basket case 2010 crossbones and rode on anything other then a smooth road.
The front end would dive when braking and seldom would recover with just about every bump or pothole in the road, lean the bike deep into a fast pace left right corner section….forget about it. This was even more an issue when I upgraded to a 21" front wheel, not wanting to reduce the already challenged springer spring setup with a shorter version I opted for lowering rockers to keep the ride hieght,rake and trail in check. But once again the obvious short coming were even more apparent with a slightly heavier front wheel, at first I thought my HD factory front shock was shot in its short 4700 mile life I replaced it with no improvement. The one thing obvious is the factory shock is nothing more then a oil filled dampener, no gas filled assistance at all…this is obviously a 1940's technology that hasn't improved much. I discovered the "Works Performance" shock/dampener on this forum and after a few months of justifying the $250 cost I pulled the trigger and ordered one, I was actually considering changing the front end to a more modern fork just because the ride was that bad…especially after installing the plush ride Shotgun shocks provide in the rear. The difference now is AMAZING…what a difference a nitrogen/oil filled shock can make. The bike is 100% more stable and offers a ride quality rival of my 06 RK…no chit. If your at all frustrated with your springer front end…..spend the money…its money well spent and the shock is even serviceably for long life. I opted for the black dampener but it is also available in chrome and works on all springer years.
Last edited by Prw3; Jan 14, 2014 at 12:15 PM.
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Having been a fan of the springer front end look for as long as I could remember I wasent ignorant of the obvious draw backs when compared to a modern telescopic or inverted fort package. There is obvious draw backs when you compare a give and take spring setup driven by a cantilever rocker at the axle versus the latter. This was never more apparent then when I purchased my basket case 2010 crossbones and rode on anything other then a smooth road.
The front end would dive when braking and seldom would recover with just about every bump or pothole in the road, lean the bike deep into a fast pace left right corner section .forget about it. This was even more an issue when I upgraded to a 21" front wheel, not wanting to reduce the already challenged springer spring setup with a shorter version I opted for lowering rockers to keep the ride hieght,rake and trail in check. But once again the obvious short coming were even more apparent with a slightly heavier front wheel, at first I thought my HD factory front shock was shot in its short 4700 mile life I replaced it with no improvement. The one thing obvious is the factory shock is nothing more then a oil filled dampener, no gas filled assistance at all this is obviously a 1940's technology that hasn't improved much. I discovered the "Works Performance" shock/dampener on this forum and after a few months of justifying the $250 cost I pulled the trigger and ordered one, I was actually considering changing the front end to a more modern fork just because the ride was that bad especially after installing the plush ride Shotgun shocks provide in the rear. The difference now is AMAZING what a difference a nitrogen/oil filled shock can make. The bike is 100% more stable and offers a ride quality rival of my 06 RK no chit. If your at all frustrated with your springer front end ..spend the money its money well spent and the shock is even serviceably for long life. I opted for the black dampener but it is also available in chrome and works on all springer years.
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