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I bought an 03 sporty from a friend last summer. He ratted it out pretty hard and Im in the process of over hauling it to my taste.
The rear shocks were 11.5 and he had drop down brackets as well. For the time being I am throwing the stock shocks back on until I decide what Im going to upgrade to (thinking a set of 490s but open to suggestions).
anyhow after removing the lowering brackets and installing the stock shocks it seems like there is no clearance between the spring and the bolts on the brake caliper.
While I am not THAT familiar with the '03s, to know if that is even the stock shock. could be there is a missing spacer.
I do know it would not hurt to put a spacer in there. Might need to go top and bottom to keep from binding. Washers doubled up will work too.
I guess some folks like to feel like their butt is dragging on the ground when riding. Maybe they have a spine that is a LOT more flexible than mine, dunno. Put some washers in there to give clearance and go on to next part of the project. I have 2 washers on top and 2 on bottoms of my 13" Road King air shocks on my '07.
There should be spacers between the shock eyes and the frame and swingarm. The spacers are about 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick. I know my 04 had spacers and my neighbors 2000 has them and my 2018 has them. And I just removed my 412's and installed 490's. Night and day difference. You should upgrade the front also.
Really appreciate all the feedback. Came to the same conclusion, spacers and longer bolts.
I am hitting the road for a few weeks to go climb some mountains but hoping when I get back all this snow in northern CO has melted and I can start riding again...still need 4x4 and mud tires to get from my house to the county road :-/
Two suggestions. One is to back off the bottom mounting bolt, to check if the shock is being pulled inwards by that bolt. If so, add a suitable spacer, which may only require a washer or two. Second, if the shock hangs right, simply add a thin spacer top and bottom. You don't actually need very much actual clearance for things to work OK, certainly not as much as 3/8", probably 1/8" will be quite enough.
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Sportster Rear Shock Clearance
