Rear Shock Change
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Rear Shock Change
A short while ago I posted a thread concerning what rear shocks you guys recommend for my 2005 883L.
Many helpful suggestions. In the end I purchased the Progressive's (the inertia type), been very happy with them (did go for the 12" shocks to give a little more clearence).
To change these out I bought one of the Harbor freight aluminium bike lifts, I've been in heavy mechanical engineering for over thirty years and have to say that this unit is very well made and excellent value for money. Now the advert states that the collapsed height of the lift is 4 1/2" which would cause problems sliding the jack under the L, however the actual collaped height is 3 1/2" so no problems. Because the exhaust is lower than the frame I did modify the jack by machining two nylon Vee blocks (used 1 1/2" diameter nylon bar, drilled and tapped the underneath 3/8" UNC and machined a vee in the top) and bolting these to one side of the jack at frame centres to support the frame at the front and one the other side of the jack I bolted a short piece of square steel hollow section (with 1/8" thick rubber on top side to protect the frame) this fitted into the upturned "U" section that is welded under the frame near to the rear disc brake resovior bracket. Even with these mods the jack still slid under with the bike in the side stand. All this done and the jack had no problems lifting the Sportster.
Did find it a little rear heavy so I placed some saftey wood blocks under the swing arm hinge point, after this solid as a rock.
Progressive supply all spacers and hardware with instructions for assembly and separate instructions for spacers used for differing models of Harley so no problems encountered.
Hope this helps anyone thinking of undertaking this upgrade themselves. Just remember to put some nut locking fluid on the bolts before final assembly and make sure you have the correct good quality Torx sockets.
Many helpful suggestions. In the end I purchased the Progressive's (the inertia type), been very happy with them (did go for the 12" shocks to give a little more clearence).
To change these out I bought one of the Harbor freight aluminium bike lifts, I've been in heavy mechanical engineering for over thirty years and have to say that this unit is very well made and excellent value for money. Now the advert states that the collapsed height of the lift is 4 1/2" which would cause problems sliding the jack under the L, however the actual collaped height is 3 1/2" so no problems. Because the exhaust is lower than the frame I did modify the jack by machining two nylon Vee blocks (used 1 1/2" diameter nylon bar, drilled and tapped the underneath 3/8" UNC and machined a vee in the top) and bolting these to one side of the jack at frame centres to support the frame at the front and one the other side of the jack I bolted a short piece of square steel hollow section (with 1/8" thick rubber on top side to protect the frame) this fitted into the upturned "U" section that is welded under the frame near to the rear disc brake resovior bracket. Even with these mods the jack still slid under with the bike in the side stand. All this done and the jack had no problems lifting the Sportster.
Did find it a little rear heavy so I placed some saftey wood blocks under the swing arm hinge point, after this solid as a rock.
Progressive supply all spacers and hardware with instructions for assembly and separate instructions for spacers used for differing models of Harley so no problems encountered.
Hope this helps anyone thinking of undertaking this upgrade themselves. Just remember to put some nut locking fluid on the bolts before final assembly and make sure you have the correct good quality Torx sockets.
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