Rear Shocks -- I know this has been beat to death
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 419
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From: Memphis, TN
Rear Shocks -- I know this has been beat to death
Sorry to revisit a topic that has been beat to death. I won't ask you all what you think is the best rear shock. I believe I have settled on getting a pair of RK or SG shocks for my 2006 XL883C.
Anyways, my question is what year or the RK or SG fit correctly? I have looked, and most people talk about the 13" vs the 11.75".
Thanks for the input. I ride 2-up a LOT, and the 11 year old stock rear shocks finally need to go.
Anyways, my question is what year or the RK or SG fit correctly? I have looked, and most people talk about the 13" vs the 11.75".
Thanks for the input. I ride 2-up a LOT, and the 11 year old stock rear shocks finally need to go.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
If you want to be sure about fit, just check what size bolts fit them. They should all be the same. Far as length, just go with the same length you have on there now. If you have the shorter, and put on longer, be aware your bike will lean over more on the sidestand.
11 year old... I'd put the airshocks on a brand new one, OEM sporty shocks are harsh. There's other threads about this, but just a couple tips: you'll need a couple of washers between the shock and bike for clearance on the thicker shocks, do top and bottom to keep things aligned vertically. The stock length bolts are long enough for the added washers. If you get used shocks, drain the old oil and put fresh in. I used 5 weight in mine and the bike just absorbs Minnesota frost heaves where stock shocks sometimes lifted me off the seat.
There are a lot of complicated ways and homemade tools to get the oil out (it won't just run out with the shock upside down), but I just put them on one at a time (compresses real easy with only one shock on the bike) upside down and pressed the seat down a few times, squirted it out real quick (put a tube on the valve to direct it into a container, or you'll have a mess). If you don't have a jack, just swap one shock at a time, but it's a lot easier with a jack. Here's the only mechanic I let touch my bikes doing one -
Get one of those little hand pumps for air shocks, an air compressor can blow the shock, and even if you set it for a max of say 10psi, it's difficult to get just what you want on both sides (I didn't use a balance tube, fill each separately).
11 year old... I'd put the airshocks on a brand new one, OEM sporty shocks are harsh. There's other threads about this, but just a couple tips: you'll need a couple of washers between the shock and bike for clearance on the thicker shocks, do top and bottom to keep things aligned vertically. The stock length bolts are long enough for the added washers. If you get used shocks, drain the old oil and put fresh in. I used 5 weight in mine and the bike just absorbs Minnesota frost heaves where stock shocks sometimes lifted me off the seat.
There are a lot of complicated ways and homemade tools to get the oil out (it won't just run out with the shock upside down), but I just put them on one at a time (compresses real easy with only one shock on the bike) upside down and pressed the seat down a few times, squirted it out real quick (put a tube on the valve to direct it into a container, or you'll have a mess). If you don't have a jack, just swap one shock at a time, but it's a lot easier with a jack. Here's the only mechanic I let touch my bikes doing one -
Get one of those little hand pumps for air shocks, an air compressor can blow the shock, and even if you set it for a max of say 10psi, it's difficult to get just what you want on both sides (I didn't use a balance tube, fill each separately).
Last edited by Imold; May 9, 2017 at 09:11 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 235
Likes: 53
From: Tampa, FL
Imold hit a lot of good points. As far as I know, all years will fit. Stock bolts will work and are long enough to accommodate needed washers for spacers. As far as oil, I got my shocks second hand from a 2015 SG and they only had 1k miles on them so I didn't see need for new oil. To each his own, but if you do get some off an older bike or they have seen a good amount of use, I would change the oil.
I have an 07 1200C and I just put on some SG air shocks. The difference in ride height is really not noticeable. You WILL want the SG shocks if you plan to keep a near stock ride height. The RK and RG shocks will raise up the rear end more.
My shocks are part number 54635-09. Anything starting with 545xx-xx is 13" and anything starting with 546xx-xx is 12" or shorter. You will want shocks that start with 546xx-xx if you want the lowest ride height possible. See the link below for more details:
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=842245
I have an 07 1200C and I just put on some SG air shocks. The difference in ride height is really not noticeable. You WILL want the SG shocks if you plan to keep a near stock ride height. The RK and RG shocks will raise up the rear end more.
My shocks are part number 54635-09. Anything starting with 545xx-xx is 13" and anything starting with 546xx-xx is 12" or shorter. You will want shocks that start with 546xx-xx if you want the lowest ride height possible. See the link below for more details:
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=842245
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