2021 FLHT front suspension?
I put Ohlins in the rear and have been riding that way for nearly 10k miles over the past 6 months. The front felt fine until I installed the shocks and it became apparent I'll need to do something at some point. The rear shocks fixed most of the ride and now I just deal with some brake dive in the front. There's nothing wrong with changing it even of you have ABS. Some of these "techs" don't know half as much as they think they do.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
After about 1000 miles I'm over the crappy ride. I just spoke with my Dealer's parts person who seems knowledgeable and nice enough. When I asked him about changing the front he highly advised against it. Went into spiel about how the ABS is tuned for a certain amount of action from the suspension....yadda yadda yadda and other tech stuff. I tried to push back a bit about maybe just doing better springs and not going full retard with cartridge. He still advised against. Told me to just do the rear and see how I feel.
Are you guys getting away with just being able to do rears and being satisfied? Wanted your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
Are you guys getting away with just being able to do rears and being satisfied? Wanted your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
Also suggest you find a different parts person.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 6,345
From: pacific northwest
On my Low Rider I did change the suspension, went with Progressive 444's on the rear and Ohlins cartridges in the front, were a great improvement on the Dyna but still has the dive on braking.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 283
Likes: 44
From:
I looked in my manual and see that the Touring bikes come with Type E. I didn't look in my Wide Glide's manual, but maybe it was a different oil. Either way, I upgraded the fork oil and fixed it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 3,438
From: SW WA.
The old air shocks on my 2000 Classic were better IMO,I'll be upgrading mine to Legend or Ohlins soon.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 2,228
From: College Station, TX
I upgraded the rear shocks and the improvement was immediate. Enough so that I don't feel like the front is a problem. However, later I did chrome the front end and used the 10 wt fork oil which did firm up the ride just enough for me.
So I'd try upgrading the rear first and see if you still think the front needs attention. Most people I know are happy enough with that upgrade to call it done.
Paul
So I'd try upgrading the rear first and see if you still think the front needs attention. Most people I know are happy enough with that upgrade to call it done.
Paul
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 1,430
From: NJ
I just found a local indy who specializes in Harley. He's been there a while, I just never stopped in. The conversation went MUCH differently. He's doing my bars and front fork oil next week. He highly suggested 20 but it seems like a 50/50 mix of people who like it vs too stiff. So the compromise is 15 belray.
Have Bitubo 13" V3's on order. The ones with the left hand adjustment dial like on our factory set up. I like the convenience so that was the deciding factor. Plus Brock has this set up on his personal rig. Good enough for him and his wife, good enough for me.
Thanks everyone!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 2,228
From: College Station, TX
I put the 13 inch Bitubo's on the back and am very happy with them.
I tried the heavier screamin eagle fork oil in my 13 Road Glide and thought it was a little harsh. So when I installed the chrome forks on the 18m I used a lighter weight oil and am happy with the results.
Paul
I tried the heavier screamin eagle fork oil in my 13 Road Glide and thought it was a little harsh. So when I installed the chrome forks on the 18m I used a lighter weight oil and am happy with the results.
Paul
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
a lot of folks like to make a 'recipe' for their fork oil. a 50/50 mix of type e and se heavy. i used the se heavy and found it to be fine. the weird part is that fork oil doesn't seem to be the same standard across the board. one company may label it as 15wt while another company labels the same viscosity as 10 wt....