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Harsh Suspension

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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 02:18 PM
  #1  
GlennsGlide's Avatar
GlennsGlide
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Default Harsh Suspension

Hi Guys
Does anyone out ther in forum land think that the FLHT EGC ride is too hard,harsh and would changing front fork and rear shock oil help in easing the pain in my back every time I hit a pot hole ( and believe me down under in Australia we have many ) I'm sure we manufacture them here then install onto our roads for testing before exporting them to other 3RD world countries.
Are there any suggestions one which oil HD installs at the MoCo and which oil to change to.
Funds are a bit tight at the moment ( xmas coming up all to quickly ) so I cant outlay the dollars neede to upgade to an aftermarket suspension.
Any and all responses welcomed

GlennsGlide
 
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 02:51 PM
  #2  
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bagga
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Default RE: Harsh Suspension

if you have air in the front and back shocks, take it out. i don't run any air in mine and i like it better.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 06:17 PM
  #3  
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xxxflhrci
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Default RE: Harsh Suspension

He ain't got no air in the front.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 06:40 PM
  #4  
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TexasBowhunter
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Default RE: Harsh Suspension

If your experiencing pain in your back only when your hitting pot holes then you may want to make the shocks and forks work slower...That is the dampening in them...
Do a search on my user name and you'll see a topic where I addressed the rear shocks and it helped big time and didn't cost but $20 and some of my time...
I do know that when the rear shocks were stock and I hit pot holes or R/Road tracks that the shock would bottom out and it would send a vilent hurt thru my back as well...
This still happens with the new shock oil I put in but the jolt isn't near as seveare as it was...
Food for thought...
 
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 06:45 PM
  #5  
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Default RE: Harsh Suspension

What brand and type of tires do you run and how muchpressure.? IMO this willeffect quality ofride more than fork oil. I have always used SE heavy duty fork oil,the best dunlup front tire and 36 psi on all my baggers. I guess there is better, but I`vebeen down some rough roads and made it back.At least most times.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 06:45 PM
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Default RE: Harsh Suspension


Man, Glenn, you must have some really big potholes. My ride is smooth as a baby's bottom -- well maybe a roo's bottom in your case. LOL.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 06:47 PM
  #7  
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Default RE: Harsh Suspension

Hay Mate, I do not think changing oil to give yourself a less than harsher ride will do the trick for what you want. I work in the suspension field and have tried all things to beat the system. Thick fork oil = slower compression = harsher ride. Lighter oil = faster compression = bottoming out. You can change valving = $250 US. Cartridgesfor your existing forks = $1,200. My solution = new inverted forks & my Penske rear shocks complete = $3K. No $ = S.O.L. For no money: slow down, get taller profile tires and use less air pressure with spokes & avoid potholes. Sorry

[IMG]local://upfiles/29413/80F1EFC42036454DB565C1E10F9536CB.jpg[/IMG]
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 02:19 PM
  #8  
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gunnert
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Default RE: Harsh Suspension

Agree with FastHarley. The fork cartridges from Traxxion are the hot ticket. $1200 is standard. For the rear, in my opinion, nothing beats a set of Progressive 440s. I go the other way running taller shocks (13.5 in) on my Road King and that is what is on the bike I'm building. I like the extra clearance.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 02:21 PM
  #9  
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chornbe
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From: Chester County, PA
Default RE: Harsh Suspension

ORIGINAL: GlennsGlide

Hi Guys
Does anyone out ther in forum land think that the FLHT EGC ride is too hard,harsh and would changing front fork and rear shock oil help in easing the pain in my back every time I hit a pot hole ( and believe me down under in Australia we have many ) I'm sure we manufacture them here then install onto our roads for testing before exporting them to other 3RD world countries.
Are there any suggestions one which oil HD installs at the MoCo and which oil to change to.
Funds are a bit tight at the moment ( xmas coming up all to quickly ) so I cant outlay the dollars neede to upgade to an aftermarket suspension.
Any and all responses welcomed

GlennsGlide
As backwards as it sounds, you might could try to add more air to the rear shocks. Often times you may find it's bottoming out, rather than being a harsh ride.

And yes... the suspension could definitely stand to be a little more well-tuned, but then I come from Sport-Touring bikes, so... tough call there.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2007 | 03:08 PM
  #10  
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Jrsess
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From: Wesley Chapel Fl.
Default RE: Harsh Suspension

I agree ,check your air pressure in the rear shocks and your tires!
 
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