Rear shock adjustment for 09 1200L

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May 29, 2013 | 11:29 AM

Paintballlovr

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 13

Likes: 2

From: Iowa

Rear shock adjustment for 09 1200L

I'm new to Harley and I have what may be a stupid question. Can you visually tell if the shocks are in the "stock" position? I bought this bike used, so I'm not sure if they shocks have been adjusted. If you can't tell visually, can you adjust them too high or will it stop at max and then I can back it down from there?

May 29, 2013 | 01:10 PM

chaddallas

Cruiser

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 155

Likes: 1

From: Austin, TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintballlovr

you can adjust them, it will not stop one way or the other though. you can continue cranking and it will just reset itself. just grab you a set of pliers, a rag so you don't scratch your **** and crank them. The adjuster is located towards bottom of shock. You will see if you look closely

May 29, 2013 | 04:37 PM

DallasSportster

Road Captain

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 589

Likes: 0

I'm not sure what the factory setting is but there are 5 notches on the bottom of each shock. There is a special wrench that makes adjusting them easier but it can be done with channel lock pliers as well. Adjusting them only changes the preload and not the height of the shocks. Mine came from the dealer in the lightest preload setting. It went up one notch and it suits me fine.

May 29, 2013 | 04:42 PM

blackSP

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 405

Likes: 30

From: Amsterda

Whatever the position makes no difference. Stock shocks are crap, rubbish. Just like the front. At least on my 2013 custom. I'm getting hand build shocks en front suspension this Friday

May 29, 2013 | 04:53 PM

Scuba10jdl

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 3,212

Likes: 212

Factory setting is 2/5 for newer models with 5 notch adjusters.

May 29, 2013 | 05:23 PM

Paintballlovr

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 13

Likes: 2

From: Iowa

Now that I'm home, I see what you're talking about. Looks like theyre at the lowest setting, so ill need to fix that for me and a passenger. Thanks for the quick responses.

May 29, 2013 | 11:29 PM

BaldHOG1222

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 288

Likes: 0

From: North Texas

If you can't get them to your like (which you won't because they suck), buy a used pair of used street glide or road king shocks. 10x better than the stock crap harley slaps on the sporty's

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May 30, 2013 | 09:56 AM

littledragon

Cruiser

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 130

Likes: 0

From: Kansas City

You can get a spnner wrench that is made to adjust the shocks. I have my 09 Sporty xl1200 low set at 3 when riding alone. I weighed about 195 and when I have my wife on the back I set thenm to at least 4. They other posters are right in the stock shocks are crap. My sporty bottoms out when set on 3 going over any kind of railroad tracks. Its a good thing I have mids controls and can get my butt off the seat when I see the big bumps coming. I am going to go to Progessive shocks in the future. Doing that will make me want to change the front end setup as it will make you notice just how bad the front end is when you have good shocks on the back. More money for sure but in the end probably one of the best upgrades for a Sporty you can do.