Howard has a dizzying array of shocks under the $1k USD mark. The list drops after converting to CAD. Lol.


Call him. You might be surprised to find out how competitive his pricing is and how much Progressives don't look like much of a bargain anymore.

 

That's great...but what will happen to the MM and Howard customers when Howard decides to take a rest from all this, either naturally or by choice? Where do shocks and cartridges personally built by Howard get sent to then? Will there or is there an MM/Howard protégé who can provide the same level of service, expertise, and attention to detail as Howard after he calls it quits? I guess Howard can chime in with this if he reads this because only he can answer this question. if he chooses to.

For those who are willing to accept his "style", its a great service that he provides on the phone or in person, he's a wealth of motorcycle suspension knowledge and experience, and we're all learning from him in many different ways...which makes him a valuable asset to the motorcycling community, specifically in the suspension arena when youre done being butt hurt lol.

With corporate-type businesses, there's almost always someone in training or someone teaching somebody the ropes to keep its products and services viable and going strong. One-man shows, not so much. I like the fact that he personally states that he is there for us for the after-the-sale-service, but what happens when he can't or won't be there for his customers anymore?

 

If Howard retired Ohlins would and could service them , I've talked to Ohlins techs and they assured me of this

 

You may not be far off. Have you ever thought of keeping the preload a tad tight to not bottom out and either reworking your seat? Add a gel layer or closed-foam section in lieu of some of the padding and you may have your answer. As others have mentioned, stiff for some is soft for others. These bikes are an expensive luxury. You might as well get it right.... Whatever it costs. Otherwise, you are not getting the pleasure you deserve. Good luck.

 

Exactly why I bought mine from Howard, several years ago. Living in the UK I reckon the parts fly over my home, on their way from Sweden to the USA! We have plenty of race shops over here who are accredited Ohlins shops, although I suspect they don't know any Harley owners with them.

 

Highly recommend you consider Legend suspension. More than just American made, all components are made at the Legend suspension factory in Sturgis S.D. I installed the Legend REVO shocks on the back and Legend AXEO front suspension kit. All come with a Lifetime Warranty. You can buy there best REVO shock, the REVO-A with adjustable dampening for $809.96 at Iron Aces speed shop.

Stay with 13" shocks, you can adjust this shocks height down a bit, 13" is the way to go.

http://www.ironacesspeedshop.com/leg...rley-davidson/

REVO-A Review

http://youtubemp4.website/watch/VRvFDb7_F9I

http://youtubemp4.website/watch/1SCyvKBan_Y

http://amnhac.net/watch/dhXYmB0x4Dc

 

I do not do this for the money as there is no money in this. I bought a trailer and equipped it with a fully functioning shop including a shock dyno. I make very little money off of selling shocks at the show, it is measured in how much I loose by the time it is all said and done.

I go to the shows so I can meet my customers and they all have accessibility to me for any problems or just to hang out. If you have a job you like doing than you never work a day in your life. This is what I do for a life. Every day of the week and all weeks of the year.

If you can not get a hold of me within a few hours seven (7) days a week than that means I am dead. There is no elective retirement, just dead. What happens after that I can not do anything about but I will try and do my best to live forever. Death is not in my immediate future but, hay, you never know, might get hit on the highway. Until than, I will do my best. Back to work as I am slammed making stuff.

I will be up in Daytona on Thursday, March 3, ~ Sunday 13th , anyone want to stop down, just give a call. Problems of any kind, the buck stops here as I fix them.

 

I will give them a shout but the stock shocks on my King are 12" so I have to go with 12" or risk messing with the geometry.

 

Bought Steel Trackers last summer. Works are very good shocks, custom built, rebuildable, made in USA. If you dont like them, they will adjust for free. You only pay shipping one way ~$10. As you know, the folks there are easy to talk with and honest. They are correct, 12 inch shock will not have upward wheel travel of 13 inch shock. Go with the longest shock you can - even if its 12 1/2¨ shock. Works builds shocks in 1/4¨ increments. I went with there 13 1/2¨ shock that has 4 inches of travel. If you are military or vet, police, belong to any MC, you get 10% off. They are very lenient on the MC

Regarding adjustable compression/rebound. Nice to have but if a shock is setup for you, custom built, not necessary.

Also, consider front suspension. I also installed Race Tech springs and valves - the bike rails turns and rides very nice now.

 

I had the Works Steel Trackers. They were a definite improvement over stock but the Ohlins were far superior to the Works on sharp edged bumps and for general compliance and control was much improved as well. My wife has a bad back and she's the best salesperson for the improvement in ride quality. The improvement was that dramatic.