Making the Stock Shocks Better
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 27
From: Northern Part of the Great Lone Star State
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
ORIGINAL: RoadKingKohn
Just last night I emptied out my stock shocks (2005 FLHRCI) of 12oz of oil and then refilled with some Amsoil 10# fork oil. Can't wait for the snow and ice to leave so I can go for a ride.
Just last night I emptied out my stock shocks (2005 FLHRCI) of 12oz of oil and then refilled with some Amsoil 10# fork oil. Can't wait for the snow and ice to leave so I can go for a ride.
Keep us informed as to how the Amsoil 10wt performs...
I'm curious as to this fork oil in the rear shocks as well...
Some manufacturers only offer the fluid to be versitale and if this be the case then getting the fork oil would be readly available over the shock oil plus there be a larger supply to choose from...
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 3
From:
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
Well, I have done two rides to work. 33 miles round trip. and some short runs over our beautiful smooth Michigan roads. NOT!!!!! Seems to ride better. Hasn't bottomed out over the railroad tracks that I don't slow down for. Temps were in the 30s when I was riding. Running only 8# of air where I was running 15# before.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,234
Likes: 6,170
From: Black Hills
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
I am also in the process of changing my rear shock oil. I don't have a vacuum pump or lathe so I tried the something from the "Primitive Pete" book of tricks. I used a bar clamp to compress and drain the shocks. It gave the hands and forearms a workout and did pretty well.
When I refill the shock, I used a 3' piece of tubing filled with oil and released the pressure on the clamp. It sucks the oil in (with some air), then I compressed the shock again, squeezing out the air, refill the tube and release the clamp again. It works surprisingly well. Unfortunately I won't see ridable roads for another 6-8 weeks.
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/C2A0C8BCE5704E6CA3BE5C9203000659.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/3A95AC0BA7714DAF9801DEFB54ABD06F.jpg[/IMG]
When I refill the shock, I used a 3' piece of tubing filled with oil and released the pressure on the clamp. It sucks the oil in (with some air), then I compressed the shock again, squeezing out the air, refill the tube and release the clamp again. It works surprisingly well. Unfortunately I won't see ridable roads for another 6-8 weeks.
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/C2A0C8BCE5704E6CA3BE5C9203000659.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/21477/3A95AC0BA7714DAF9801DEFB54ABD06F.jpg[/IMG]
Stage I
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Norway
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
Hi!
I have disassembled one pair of1998 shocks I have extra.
I want to shorten them 1-1/2".
Do anybody of you know a place to buynew seals, because I had to drill outholes in the seal to pul them out from the shock housing with a special toolive made.
The seals are marked with: RSD-36 66 10.5 (d=36mm, D=66mm, 10.5mm thick)
Regards
Rino
Norway
I have disassembled one pair of1998 shocks I have extra.
I want to shorten them 1-1/2".
Do anybody of you know a place to buynew seals, because I had to drill outholes in the seal to pul them out from the shock housing with a special toolive made.
The seals are marked with: RSD-36 66 10.5 (d=36mm, D=66mm, 10.5mm thick)
Regards
Rino
Norway
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Lake Stevens Wa
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
GREAT JOB VERY COOL WILL HAVE TO TRY THIS MY WIFE HAS BACK PROBLEMS AND IT REALY HURTS WHEN WE BOTTOM OUT HAVE TRIED DIFF AIR PRES BUT JUST MAKES RIDE WORSE THANKS[sm=icon_cheers.gif] FOR THE INFO
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: australia
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
From: SW Florida
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
ORIGINAL: RoadKingKohn
Just last night I emptied out my stock shocks (2005 FLHRCI) of 12oz of oil and then refilled with some Amsoil 10# fork oil. Can't wait for the snow and ice to leave so I can go for a ride.
Just last night I emptied out my stock shocks (2005 FLHRCI) of 12oz of oil and then refilled with some Amsoil 10# fork oil. Can't wait for the snow and ice to leave so I can go for a ride.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
TBH, Mike
Great article! Here is where I could use your help, or anyone elses for that matter ....
I am going from a 12 inch to a 13 inch stock shock on my Road King Custom. A friend of mine sold me a pair that he replaced for 12's a couple of years back. They had less then a thousand miles so I bought 'em, checked em out for leaks, and put them on. While the ride is noticably better with regard to the absorbsion of a bump and it feels like I have more suspension travel, I now have a new problem. Now it feels like the suspension is topping out! When the suspension is on its way back up it feels like I have hit the top end of travel for the shock and I get a severe jolt from the rear end which resonates through the entire bike. While I have heard others complain of this symptom with Progressive 440's I have neven experienced this with my stock 12's on the back with 40K on them.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Great article! Here is where I could use your help, or anyone elses for that matter ....
I am going from a 12 inch to a 13 inch stock shock on my Road King Custom. A friend of mine sold me a pair that he replaced for 12's a couple of years back. They had less then a thousand miles so I bought 'em, checked em out for leaks, and put them on. While the ride is noticably better with regard to the absorbsion of a bump and it feels like I have more suspension travel, I now have a new problem. Now it feels like the suspension is topping out! When the suspension is on its way back up it feels like I have hit the top end of travel for the shock and I get a severe jolt from the rear end which resonates through the entire bike. While I have heard others complain of this symptom with Progressive 440's I have neven experienced this with my stock 12's on the back with 40K on them.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.