Rear Shock Advice
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 489
From: sunny florida
No , on most shocks turning right , like screwing in a screw , which usually is a lower number closes the needle valve , this makes more oil go through the shim stack , this will stiffen the shock and it will rebound faster , counter clock wise , like unscrewing a screw opens the needle valve , more oil by passes the shims , the shock rebounds slower and is softer
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 1,902
From: East Coast, USA
Again, this is just a guess. Advantages, disadvantages are probably similar to the arguments for regular forks or USD (UpSide Down) forks.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
No , on most shocks turning right , like screwing in a screw , which usually is a lower number closes the needle valve , this makes more oil go through the shim stack , this will stiffen the shock and it will rebound faster , counter clock wise , like unscrewing a screw opens the needle valve , more oil by passes the shims , the shock rebounds slower and is softer
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 578
Likes: 522
From: Durango CO
Compression dampening controls how fast the suspension compresses when you hit a bump.
Rebound dampening controls how fast the suspension extends after a bump or when you hit a dip.
Setting the dampening low may seem to give a more plush smooth ride when you are riding down a strait road. But then when you hit some bumps the the tire may want to bounce and if the if the dampening is set too low the suspension may feel washy washy. It's even possible for the tire to come off the ground if the dampening is set too low. So it's important to remember that dampening has a big affect on control and even traction.
Remember the rebound dampening controls how fast the suspension extends so if you set the dampening higher you may get rid of the wishy washy feel but if you increase the rebound too far then the tire may not be able to extend before the next bump.
It takes trial and error to find that happy medium.
You really know you have the dampening set right when you are going around a fast sweeping turn, hit some bumps and the bike still tracks where you direct it.
Here's a link that may help: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/su...-about-damping
Last edited by Durango Dave; Feb 28, 2016 at 10:01 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Why the hell do people keep bringing up Ohlins Superbike prowess as proof of anything Harley related? Their single tube offerings for Harley have nothing in common with the TTX from the Superbikes. Also, pretty sure that Rea and the factory Kawi team run Showa. Does that mean our Showa air shocks are worth a damn?
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
Bsmug , it is stiffer , while adding or reducing preload will not change the spring rating it will stiffen or soften your suspension. When you add preload it will take more initial force to compress the spring , the spring will also then rebound faster , when you decrease preload it takes less initial force to compress the spring and like wise it will rebound slower , this doesn't change the spring rating but adding tension (preload) does change the way your shocks react . FYI regardless of brand of shocks the softess spring you can use with extra preload will always ride smoother than a stiffer spring with less preload , so if you are boarder line between two spring rates with your weight go lighter.
The springs Ohlins selected for my bike were so stiff preload was like two turns from loose and then if I hit a bump it would cause HUGE pain. Reduced the rate based on recommendations from TJ and it was better.
I've heard good things about Hagon shocks, and based on their website they're not nearly as expensive as Ohlins. Anyone have any experience with them or the company ?
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
They don't list Harley as a bike they have shocks for. The shocks they do show and the bikes they describe them for are all substantially lighter bikes.
http://www.hagonshocksusa.com/HagApps3.htm