Shock help
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 211
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
You ask for input based on providing only partial info? Takes 4 posts from you to get the bigger picture?
I think you're missing the point; you installed 12" shocks & lost a full inch of suspension travel. Now you're having bottoming issues because you & passenger are heavy load w/o enough suspension travel. The 12" hand adjustables won't fix your problem; don't waste your money.
Sorry to be blunt, but it's the way suspensions work. As others have said; fix your air leaks. Then save your money & buy some better aftermarket 13" shocks.
BTW - I have the H-D premium hand adjustable 13" shocks on my 14 Limited & they work much better than the stock air shocks, but aren't nearly as good as Ohlins, JRI, or Pro-Action products.
I think you're missing the point; you installed 12" shocks & lost a full inch of suspension travel. Now you're having bottoming issues because you & passenger are heavy load w/o enough suspension travel. The 12" hand adjustables won't fix your problem; don't waste your money.
Sorry to be blunt, but it's the way suspensions work. As others have said; fix your air leaks. Then save your money & buy some better aftermarket 13" shocks.
BTW - I have the H-D premium hand adjustable 13" shocks on my 14 Limited & they work much better than the stock air shocks, but aren't nearly as good as Ohlins, JRI, or Pro-Action products.
I really can't see myself spending $1000 on shocks, so I think I will find my leak, as you suggested. Do you think 13" premiums would help me out any?
Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I can only put my toes down, solo or 2-up, but the last thing I will do is use shorter shocks, as there are other ways of improving our lot while riding. It's also more important to me to maintain ride quality and ground clearance. One way is simply ride plenty of miles, to improve skill and confidence. Wear sturdy bike footwear to provide sure footing. Get your seat modified around the nose, to reduce leg reach, so you can better get down to the ground.
As for shocks, I have 13" Ohlins - the only way to travel!
As for shocks, I have 13" Ohlins - the only way to travel!
Last edited by grbrown; Jun 2, 2016 at 11:58 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
I switched my shocks to Ohlins. Before I did that, I rode a Street Glide Special with the adjustable shocks for a week. Adjustable Shocks rode better than air shocks. But my wife and me are bigger people too. The 12 inch shock adjustable shock didn't stop the bottoming out completely. The Ohlins did. Ohlins are expensive, but I'll bet a less expensive after market shock will also eliminate the problem
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
Watching this thread. 04 EGC and I'm starting to lose some air, but only if I pump it to 25# for two up riding, goes to 15# in a couple days. At 10# for myself I lose nothing. Have not yet looked for the leak, soapy water and all. But one thing I agree with Sevitz, $1,000 or more for a bike over 10 years old is a lot to spend. $500 my limit
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
You don't have to spend that much on Ohlins! We have a HDF sponsor who offers decent discounts and can sell us a set for around $600 IIRC. I've had mine for several years and they are great! They also swap over to a later bike, if you upgrade, so you don't have to buy them again. In any event, when Mrs S has ridden on them you won't get any complaints at all, I can assure you - only praise and 'why didn't you do this sooner?'!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
I would look at Progressive 944's. Less than $600 on Amazon.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
If you go to the 13" HD air shock you can get a set of lowering blocks to get back that 1" of height increase. Get the billet aluminum blocks, not the flat steel ones. The billet aluminum blocks are very stable and for me have always been safe.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
You don't have to spend that much on Ohlins! We have a HDF sponsor who offers decent discounts and can sell us a set for around $600 IIRC. I've had mine for several years and they are great! They also swap over to a later bike, if you upgrade, so you don't have to buy them again. In any event, when Mrs S has ridden on them you won't get any complaints at all, I can assure you - only praise and 'why didn't you do this sooner?'!
Just a quick note there since you said you and the Mrs. are a little heavy. Me and mine as well. My goal was to not have the bike bottom out so easy on bumps. Now, because of my price range, he was telling me that I would need to sets of springs for the shocks. One that was for riding solo and then I would need to pull the shocks off and switch springs when I was riding double. Together we weigh about 475lbs. So the standard spring he sells with the shocks I got is a 25lb newton spring, and then he said I also needed a 33lbs newton spring. I wasn't about to go through taking the shocks of and changing the springs every time she wanted to ride, but he was good enough to throw in the extra springs for nothing because he had them laying around from a mistaken order. The thing is, when I called Ohlins about this after I got them, they swore up and down he was wrong. They said I could use the 25lbs spring if I wanted or even a 27lbs spring, and not need to switch them out. I ended up buying a set of 27's from Ohlins for $100 just to be safe, and couldn't be happier. In fact, when I traded in my Road Glide Ultra back in November, I made the dealer take off my Ohlins and put them on the Limited. They took the air shocks off the new bike and put them on the one I traded in. I say all of that to say, the guy is knowledgable and will swear up and down he knows more than anyone else, even the manufacturer(literally). Don't be afraid to check what he tells you. I did, and I'm glad I did.