changing out rear shocks
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
changing out rear shocks
I was wondering how hard it is for a simple person to change out the rear shocks on my RKC? I am thinking to changing out to the street glide shocks that are 1" lower. Thanks for the help.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 1
From: eastern Kentucky
I've never done it on a Harley, but how hard can it be? get clearance to the shocks (remove the bags) and unbolt and replace with the new ones. If you have an air system, there would be a little more work, but still, not much unless you are going with an air compressor system. If you can spin wrenches, you can do it. Now replacing a mono shock on my KTM, that's was much more complicated.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Very simple, did mine. Remove the bags, jack it up until the pressure is off the shocks, remove the bolts, use the jack to line up the new shocks and install. You'll be able to tell when the pressure is off, cause the bolts will remove easily. Give em (the shocks) a jiggle to make sure they are just kinda floating there. The air lines are simple, if you have a manual read up, or we can lend a hand.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 9
From: Sunny Southern California
Just to let you know.... I put these on my eglide and they were fine for local riding. Then took a vacation (my fat a$$, the ol' lady' king tour pak & saddle bags loaded for a 10 day ride) and hated them. Came home & installed a air ride system. Just hate to see ya spend the $280. or so & not be happy.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
As others have stated, it's an easy project, so easy in fact, that UltraClassicElectraGlide could do it. Changed out the OEM shocks and installed the Profile Low Air Shocks using a motorcycle jack. Very straight-forward...
Add a few pounds of air to clear the air line, then release all the air pressure. On my bike, the brass fittings for the air lines (#1 in the first picture) on the shocks were way too tight and I rounded the corners slightly, so be careful there.
Here is the link to the .pdf instructions from H-D.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...ts/-J04754.pdf
Add a few pounds of air to clear the air line, then release all the air pressure. On my bike, the brass fittings for the air lines (#1 in the first picture) on the shocks were way too tight and I rounded the corners slightly, so be careful there.
Here is the link to the .pdf instructions from H-D.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...ts/-J04754.pdf
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; Feb 16, 2010 at 02:08 PM.
Trending Topics
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Just to let you know.... I put these on my eglide and they were fine for local riding. Then took a vacation (my fat a$$, the ol' lady' king tour pak & saddle bags loaded for a 10 day ride) and hated them. Came home & installed a air ride system. Just hate to see ya spend the $280. or so & not be happy.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Thanks all, there is someone on here selling them for $100 used. Said they got about 7k on the clock. Is that good or bad? I think my stockers have a leak or just dont hold air to well. Is it worth it for $100? thanks.
I just picked up a pair of new 13" H-D shocks off ebay for $71 + $15 shipping. They were new take offs. I also purchased a lowering bracket by road6customs so that once the 13" shocks are installed, I can still achieve the original ride height of the FLHX, with hopefully a better ride due to the extra 1" of suspension travel...