Installing new shocks
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 368
Likes: 37
From: Montgomery, Alabama
you can, it's a bit tricky. Have to remove one, replace it with the new. Then switch to the other side. Just make sure that the new ones are set at their maximum travel so that you have play to install the other side. It's a bit of a pain, but yes, it can be done.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
Way easier and safer to use a jack. Last time I did it I was able to use a standard floor jack to support the bike while I removed and replaced one shock at a time.
Last edited by HM_SanDiego; Apr 18, 2018 at 11:37 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Dont recommend replacing shocks without a jack of some sort. When you remove either sock, the bike will drop, which means installing the new shock there will be a pain in the butt, unless you have another person there to lift the rear of the bike so you are able to install the shock bolts.
Way easier and safer to use a jack. Last time I did it I was able to use a standard floor jack to support the bike while I removed and replaced one shock at a time.
Slacken all fasteners while firmly on the ground and only tighten/torque up ditto afterwards.
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 53
Likes: 2
From: North Charleston, SC
I have a Harbor Freight down the road. I need a jack so I might as well get one. They have a bike jack for about $90 and the reviews are positive. Might eventually get the lift.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
That Harbor Freight bike jack should do the job for you well. The lift would be great, but even with the lift, you would still need a service jack to lift the rear wheel off the deck (search YouTube for Harley maintenance videos that show that type of jack in use) - not sure where those type of jacks can be had, but they would be super useful as well.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,165
Likes: 2,466
From: Nor Cal
That Harbor Freight bike jack should do the job for you well. The lift would be great, but even with the lift, you would still need a service jack to lift the rear wheel off the deck (search YouTube for Harley maintenance videos that show that type of jack in use) - not sure where those type of jacks can be had, but they would be super useful as well.
Where?...All over...Google "motorcycle scissor jack"
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
Last edited by HM_SanDiego; Apr 18, 2018 at 06:13 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 33,699
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From: Connecticut.
That Harbor Freight bike jack should do the job for you well. The lift would be great, but even with the lift, you would still need a service jack to lift the rear wheel off the deck (search YouTube for Harley maintenance videos that show that type of jack in use) - not sure where those type of jacks can be had, but they would be super useful as well.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 17,008
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From: in a cave at the foothills
Guess I got lucky when I replaced the shocks on my Road King last year. Just had to jiggle the bike a bit and the Progressives went right on. Pro Action on my Road Glide but Indy took care of those as there was way too much other stuff going on and my time is limited.