Just went up and visited JD and the guys/gals at his shop today. Here is the first sportster with a ShotgunShock.

 

This should be interesting!

Did you get to ride it?

 

Bitchin I was wondering if the bagger shocks would work on a sportie. Figured you would just need to get creative with the compressor.

 

No, it's my wifes bike.
She likes it. Said it rides smoother than stock. We rode approx. 2 hours each way yesterday to get it. I will report more about the ride once she gets a few more miles on it and she gets the hang of using the switches to fine tune the ride.

 

Yeah, the lower bolts that SS uses for the bagger had to be modified a little because the baggers have a threaded hole in the frame,where the Sportster uses a nut on the back of a bolt. The compressor went under the frame in front of the rear tire where the charcoal canister typically lives. Other than that, bolt it on and go. JD and everyone at his shop are great. Truly awesome people.

 

What's the price tag on them??? I always had an interest in getting a set for my Softail, but there's been issues with some of them leaking that's gone on for the past several years now. And at a price of $1250-$1500, I just can't bring myself to drop that kind of coin ... regardless of how well he stands behind his products.

 

You will have to ask him for the prices. That's not my deal. As for the leaking, that is pretty much a thing of the past I believe. Some seal issues in the past that they have moved beyond.

 

I just updated the first post with better images.

 

I had a leaking issue on mine last summer. Turned out to be a bad check valve on the shock unit. JD swapped it out with a brand new unit no questions asked, fast turn around time as well. Took me about an hour to swap out to my stock shocks and another hour to swap back when the new unit. Even if I had to go through that once a year it would be worth it to me, don't believe I will have to though. If a few leaking units is what is holding you back I wouldn't let it stop you.

 

Man, that's a nice, clean install. Thanks for posting the pics. I won't be surprised if these turn out to be the best riding Sportster shocks available, hopefully very dependable as well. It don't get any better than adjustable rebound & ride height on the fly. Definitely the best of both worlds IMO. You can hit the switch and jack it way up when you hit the twisties and slam the rear end for around town profiling. Hopefully JD will offer a good intro pricing special at some point.

I'm no engineer but in looking at the pics, I can't help but wonder if the lower shock mounting bolts are adding a side-load of stress to the swingarm tab? It looks like the shock mounts about .75" to 1" out from the swingarm. Maybe it's not enough to matter, I'm just curious what others think?

I'm looking for an Evo FXR for my next project bike. So even if I don't want to cough up the coin for a set on the Sporty or Softail, they'd be a must-have for the FXR ... providing they work out well and get great reviews. I know from the softail section that JD's customer service is the best in the industry, so that's reassuring.