So, my right rear shock was leaking so I bought a set from a forum member - my current shocks are 13" and the new ones are said to be 13" also - but out of the box the new ones are 14" and do not match up with my bolts.

I am assuming that the new ones are just not compressed down to the 13" yet and will do so when installed but I want to be correct. Am I right??? Also, do I need to take both old shocks off at the same time and then will the bolt holes spread to 14" for the install and then compress to the 13" when I lower the jack?

Thanks.

 

The 12" and 13" measurements of stock Harley touring Air Shocks is center to center of the mounting holes. There was never a 14" shock made by Harley.

Id guess that your shocks are "saging" put a jack under the bike, either a MC Jack or it can even be done with a regular floor type jack and the bike on the side stand and jack it up a little, not off the side stand (jiffy stand) 1' the shocks should move . if they dont your bike may have had 12" shocks put on it .

If its not because of sag, then you will have to put a jack under the bike and then remove the shocks and adjust the jack to line up the mounts for the new shocks. Should be a 15 minute job.

 

Thanks - gonna go give that a go.

 

with a lift supporting bike so it is upright and the wheels are just off the floor, I use a 4 x 4 cut on a 30º angle so it looks like a big doorstop, under the rear wheel to move the swingarm up or down to align with the eyes.

push in for up, pull out for down.

remember that with the bike on lift, removing the weight of a wheel changes the balance point- make sure you don't shift the weight enough to dump it

Mike

 

Thanks guys - got em on - piece of cake just as you described - much appreciated!