Shotgun shock height
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 14
From: lancaster,ca
I ride about 1.25 to 1.5 inches lower than stock. The SS allows it to ride more comfortable at that lowered height than it rode at the stock height with the stock suspension.
I think the trick is finding the sweet spot between the air pressure in the SS and the amount of lowering. People have tried various ways to explain how to achieve this. This is the most simple explanation I've come across:
With your bike running, so you won't drain any battery. Let the air all the way out, both switches. Really let it all the way out, holding down both switches even past the point where it hits the bump stops. This kinda gives you a blank slate to find your sweet spot.
Still with bike running, use both switches to raise the bike all the way up. When it's all the way up keep holding both switches for 10 to 15 seconds. (Should be completely rigid when you push down on the seat hard at this point.)
Then use the rear switch to lower the bike to where you want it, but be reasonable unless you want to ride slammed. (I like about 1.25 to 1.5 inches lower than stock. On my Slim, that is about where the tire sidewalls line up with the edge of the rear fender. YMMV.)
The ride should be pretty nice at that point. But if it's too soft, use the front switch up (to add air pressure to the shock). Just a few blips will firm it up.
If it's too hard, use the front switch down, this time just a single instant of a blip (to release pressure.)
Hope that helps. Anyone with further insights, feel free to add something. I kinda went off the cuff here.
I think the trick is finding the sweet spot between the air pressure in the SS and the amount of lowering. People have tried various ways to explain how to achieve this. This is the most simple explanation I've come across:
With your bike running, so you won't drain any battery. Let the air all the way out, both switches. Really let it all the way out, holding down both switches even past the point where it hits the bump stops. This kinda gives you a blank slate to find your sweet spot.
Still with bike running, use both switches to raise the bike all the way up. When it's all the way up keep holding both switches for 10 to 15 seconds. (Should be completely rigid when you push down on the seat hard at this point.)
Then use the rear switch to lower the bike to where you want it, but be reasonable unless you want to ride slammed. (I like about 1.25 to 1.5 inches lower than stock. On my Slim, that is about where the tire sidewalls line up with the edge of the rear fender. YMMV.)
The ride should be pretty nice at that point. But if it's too soft, use the front switch up (to add air pressure to the shock). Just a few blips will firm it up.
If it's too hard, use the front switch down, this time just a single instant of a blip (to release pressure.)
Hope that helps. Anyone with further insights, feel free to add something. I kinda went off the cuff here.
Man this was what I was looking for!! Great description on how to work this thing...I had my shotgun installed at the love ride back in October and for the life of me I can't get the damn sweet spot!! I even went as far to order another tracker fender so I could get it repainted and move all the wiring to the side instead of the fender. I keep rubbing my rubber loom under the fender its even leaving a mark on my tire. I'm going to use this method when I get to the house and see if I can stiffien the ride up enough not to rub for now..I'm still getting a new paint job I'm just going to use this as the excuse to the wife..LOL
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I'll add what I have found in finding the sweet spot. It wasn't until I read read and re read the long article someone posted awhile back that showed pics of how chambers work buttons etc..
FWIW...use the above method I could never find the sweet spot until I added this step(s). Once you have it at height you want think about the shock having 2 pistons and 2 chambers. you want to try and find the equal balance in each. it takes some time the first few attempts. read the article I mentioned. For example you know using above method you get right height but going softer or firmer causes the height to change a wee bit. So think of it as whatever you do to one side you gotta do opposite to other. Basically if you hit switch for height "up" you gotta hit switch for softer "down" and vice versa, cuz your taking air from one chamber and putting it in the other. Do it back and forth until you get ride height and firmness desired. You're looking for air level on both sides of chamber to be about equal...it won't matter if you like it slammed or stock or somewhere in between it should work at all settings. JD or JESS can chime in and correct me...a little. but this works for me.
Sorry to ramble...I smoked crack this morning...jk...lol.
FWIW...use the above method I could never find the sweet spot until I added this step(s). Once you have it at height you want think about the shock having 2 pistons and 2 chambers. you want to try and find the equal balance in each. it takes some time the first few attempts. read the article I mentioned. For example you know using above method you get right height but going softer or firmer causes the height to change a wee bit. So think of it as whatever you do to one side you gotta do opposite to other. Basically if you hit switch for height "up" you gotta hit switch for softer "down" and vice versa, cuz your taking air from one chamber and putting it in the other. Do it back and forth until you get ride height and firmness desired. You're looking for air level on both sides of chamber to be about equal...it won't matter if you like it slammed or stock or somewhere in between it should work at all settings. JD or JESS can chime in and correct me...a little. but this works for me.
Sorry to ramble...I smoked crack this morning...jk...lol.
Last edited by Knuckles73; Nov 22, 2014 at 08:18 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: SL,UT
I ride mine all the time with no air, slammed and other times half way up.
I'll hit bump stops once in a while, add a little air to get it to stop. No issues ever.
When I'm on a long ride I'll air it all the way up but with a soft rebound. Rides comfy with the extra weight of a passenger/camping gear.
I'll hit bump stops once in a while, add a little air to get it to stop. No issues ever.
When I'm on a long ride I'll air it all the way up but with a soft rebound. Rides comfy with the extra weight of a passenger/camping gear.
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