Air shocks question?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 994
Likes: 43
From: Essex, England
That's very kind of you to offer. 
Hopefully I can find them here but it does look like NPT is an American standard and PT is a British one. I thought as the shocks were Japanese they might be the British/metric pitch but no, they would more likely be the JIS (Japanese ) one! So I guess they have been specifically machined to suit Harleys American market, which makes sense.
I came home and went to put them on but they dont just go straight on as I thought. It seemed like the top mount needs shimming out a bit as it as was tightening down against the subframe? Did anyone pack the shock out with washers?
Hopefully I can find them here but it does look like NPT is an American standard and PT is a British one. I thought as the shocks were Japanese they might be the British/metric pitch but no, they would more likely be the JIS (Japanese ) one! So I guess they have been specifically machined to suit Harleys American market, which makes sense.I came home and went to put them on but they dont just go straight on as I thought. It seemed like the top mount needs shimming out a bit as it as was tightening down against the subframe? Did anyone pack the shock out with washers?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 287
From: Texas
I have 12" street glide shocks on mine. I used 3 washers, on each top and bottom bolt, on both sides and worked great. Some guys get away with two.
My shocks were off a new street glide, so no oil change, and they're awesome. I run on 5lbs solo (I'm 185lbs), and 20 lbs two up with a 140lb passenger.
I think you'll like them. Good luck!
My shocks were off a new street glide, so no oil change, and they're awesome. I run on 5lbs solo (I'm 185lbs), and 20 lbs two up with a 140lb passenger.
I think you'll like them. Good luck!
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Thanks for the info. but no I didn't say they're 14" inches I said I have a 14' Iron meaning 2014 Iron. I'll measure the stock ones and post it later on today to see if you guys can point me in the right direction. Thanks again.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 77
From: Orlando, FL
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 287
From: Texas
Hey guys I'm still new to my 14' Iron 883 even though I've had it for a year and I really do want to change the rear suspension to be a softer ride. I know the 14' + have changed and some parts are not as easily interchangeable so I was wondering if the any of the air shocks listed by wachuko would fit my 14' Iron. Also I want to keep the same height.
You've got two choices if you're dead set on keeping your rear suspension at 11". Buy 12" or longer shocks and get 1" or more lowering block from DK or another vendor, or buy the 12" or any larger sized air shock and send it off to Bitchin Baggers and have them custom cut and rebuild the shocks to 11". More $ but the only way to get a real 11" air shock.
After studying up on all this I decided to go for the 12" SG shocks and try them out with no lowering blocks and without cutting them down. They're awesome. It doesn't change the height much at all and the ride is night and day better than stock. One thing---I'm 185lbs. If you're light, like 160 or less, these shocks are not going to help you much. If you're heavier, all the better, just add air.
If you go the lowering block route like a lot of guys do, just do your research. I wasn't comfortable using them with the amount of weight I carry two up and luggage at times, but that's just me. Lots of guys use the good ones and like them.
I've got progressive fork springs that have been sitting in my garage for months I need to install to fully benefit from the rear upgrade, but I'd rather ride than wrench so that will have to wait until a cold wet day later this year.
Good luck.
Ps eBay is your friend for used shocks keep your eyes peeled the good ones go really fast
Last edited by LonestarXL; Jul 21, 2015 at 03:25 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
LonestarXL thanks so much for your input. OK, so I'll look for the 12" SG and try them out normal with out a lowering block and see how that goes. I'm 5'5" so that's why I didnt want to mess around with the height. I like how I sit on the bike now. 
DevilDog I can help. The shocks on your '14 iron are the same as all the previous Irons, that did not change for 2014. Your stock shocks are going to be 11" from eye to eye. I have a 2013 and researched this thoroughly. You will not find a take off Harley air shock that is 11" if you are wanting to keep the same height. The shortest is the street glide air shocks and they are 12" ( the one listed as 11.5 is wrong, I bought that exact part numbered shock and its 12" eye to eye measuring on the middle of each eye).
You've got two choices if you're dead set on keeping your rear suspension at 11". Buy 12" or longer shocks and get 1" or more lowering block from DK or another vendor, or buy the 12" or any larger sized air shock and send it off to Bitchin Baggers and have them custom cut and rebuild the shocks to 11". More $ but the only way to get a real 11" air shock.
After studying up on all this I decided to go for the 12" SG shocks and try them out with no lowering blocks and without cutting them down. They're awesome. It doesn't change the height much at all and the ride is night and day better than stock. One thing---I'm 185lbs. If you're light, like 160 or less, these shocks are not going to help you much. If you're heavier, all the better, just add air.
If you go the lowering block route like a lot of guys do, just do your research. I wasn't comfortable using them with the amount of weight I carry two up and luggage at times, but that's just me. Lots of guys use the good ones and like them.
I've got progressive fork springs that have been sitting in my garage for months I need to install to fully benefit from the rear upgrade, but I'd rather ride than wrench so that will have to wait until a cold wet day later this year.
Good luck.
Ps eBay is your friend for used shocks keep your eyes peeled the good ones go really fast
You've got two choices if you're dead set on keeping your rear suspension at 11". Buy 12" or longer shocks and get 1" or more lowering block from DK or another vendor, or buy the 12" or any larger sized air shock and send it off to Bitchin Baggers and have them custom cut and rebuild the shocks to 11". More $ but the only way to get a real 11" air shock.
After studying up on all this I decided to go for the 12" SG shocks and try them out with no lowering blocks and without cutting them down. They're awesome. It doesn't change the height much at all and the ride is night and day better than stock. One thing---I'm 185lbs. If you're light, like 160 or less, these shocks are not going to help you much. If you're heavier, all the better, just add air.
If you go the lowering block route like a lot of guys do, just do your research. I wasn't comfortable using them with the amount of weight I carry two up and luggage at times, but that's just me. Lots of guys use the good ones and like them.
I've got progressive fork springs that have been sitting in my garage for months I need to install to fully benefit from the rear upgrade, but I'd rather ride than wrench so that will have to wait until a cold wet day later this year.
Good luck.
Ps eBay is your friend for used shocks keep your eyes peeled the good ones go really fast
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 994
Likes: 43
From: Essex, England
Thanks. I knew you had to shim it out if you wanted to keep the belt guard but wasn't sure if both sides needed it regardless of that. It did look like that would be the way forward, but I was starting to wonder if I'd actually got the wrong shocks, especially as they seem shorter than my OEM ones. Typically I have every sized washed but the right ones! :doh:
the threads are almost identical i think 5* off
the pt thread will fit into the npt threaded hole BUT WILL NOT SEAL .
sorry i was on vacation an couldnt answer lol
these will work if you use teflon tape
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item4cee0f0c0e
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item2c898d6b7c
but if you want good ones , i would go with the ones that i purchased , link below.
welli didnt get it from the uk ebay lol -- but the seller lol
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HARLEY-TOU...item35c685d9af
the pt thread will fit into the npt threaded hole BUT WILL NOT SEAL .
sorry i was on vacation an couldnt answer lol
these will work if you use teflon tape
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item4cee0f0c0e
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item2c898d6b7c
but if you want good ones , i would go with the ones that i purchased , link below.
welli didnt get it from the uk ebay lol -- but the seller lol
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HARLEY-TOU...item35c685d9af
Last edited by elfnyc; Jul 22, 2015 at 11:09 PM.
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Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 994
Likes: 43
From: Essex, England
the threads are almost identical i think 5* off
the pt thread will fit into the npt threaded hole BUT WILL NOT SEAL .
sorry i was on vacation an couldnt answer lol
these will work if you use teflon tape
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item4cee0f0c0e
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item2c898d6b7c
but if you want good ones , i would go with the ones that i purchased , link below.
welli didnt get it from the uk ebay lol -- but the seller lol
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HARLEY-TOU...item35c685d9af
the pt thread will fit into the npt threaded hole BUT WILL NOT SEAL .
sorry i was on vacation an couldnt answer lol
these will work if you use teflon tape
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item4cee0f0c0e
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCHRADER-A...item2c898d6b7c
but if you want good ones , i would go with the ones that i purchased , link below.
welli didnt get it from the uk ebay lol -- but the seller lol
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HARLEY-TOU...item35c685d9af
No vacations mid project please.
Thanks. A quick question for you guys. I took the upper shock bolt out to bring in with me today and promptly left it behind! :doh: Will this multi pack cover the size I need?
Last edited by Mr_Taipan; Jul 23, 2015 at 04:34 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
My Parts Manual shows a 1/2 inch diameter with a thread pitch of 13 at 2.25 inches long for the upper shock bolt (1/2-13 x 2 1/4). An M12 might be too small. Not too sure about Metric washer fitment on a SAE bolt.
Last edited by HarleyScuba; Jul 23, 2015 at 08:48 AM. Reason: nunya