New JRI "B" shocks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
Howard, just a quick question...I have your JRI'b' 13" on my 11 road king classic and weight around 170-175 with gear.....and they seem to be dialed in the for the best ride ...the ride is kind of harsh on bigger bumps at higher speeds..its all good below say around 40-45...but on the highway when I hit road bumps and bridge bumps like before the expansion joints (bumps about 1.5" tall and 10"-15" wide) the bike does not absorb them as much as my back does....it is way better than the original shocks....any way I am wondering if I should set the sag a little softer (screw the big nuts up some)...to help out...or will this just screw up the handleing??
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Please call me
Please call me on this. I do not like to answer specific answers like this because there are many factors involved. Not too many riders are your case as most HD riders ride to eat someplace (Ya, like I am lying here) and do not weigh your weight. The answer lies on that explanation and by calling me. Everybody is different and the solution is different for each person.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 2,252
From: wet coast BC
Howard
you seem to spend a lot of time one on one. Kudos.
as I understand the process is that the shocks are delivered identical except for the outer coil spring matched to the chosen rider(s) weight plus the weight of the bike. The manufacturing process may produce slight variations and all shock springs and assembly may not be identical and may need tweaking.
my questions;
1) why the sag cannot be preset based on the known facts given that the weight of rider(s) and bike are known. why would/could this be different from one 200# rider to another 200# rider on the same model ride.
2) you have said 16 clicks for dampener is your preference. Is this your preference for your own ride and weight, OR is it an acceptable starting point for all setups.
you seem to spend a lot of time one on one. Kudos.
as I understand the process is that the shocks are delivered identical except for the outer coil spring matched to the chosen rider(s) weight plus the weight of the bike. The manufacturing process may produce slight variations and all shock springs and assembly may not be identical and may need tweaking.
my questions;
1) why the sag cannot be preset based on the known facts given that the weight of rider(s) and bike are known. why would/could this be different from one 200# rider to another 200# rider on the same model ride.
2) you have said 16 clicks for dampener is your preference. Is this your preference for your own ride and weight, OR is it an acceptable starting point for all setups.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
1Canuck, I'm going to leap in here!
1. The sag may well be preset, however it is as well to verify that it is correct. Also as soon as you put a passenger on board, or fill your luggage to bursting point, your sag needs to be adjusted, for the best results. To get the most out of these shocks and the quality ride they can give, each customer needs to learn how to set sag. It isn't difficult and I imagine most of Howard's customers read these posts wondering what the fuss is!
2. The answer above gives you a clue! The damping is preset at a starting point for you to fine tune to your preference. You may find it is spot on, but you can only confirm that by adjusting away from the initial settings. Again, some learning is involved and you may find that when carrying a passenger and/or luggage a slight adjustment sweetens things up a treat.
3. Howard has the patience of a Saint!
1. The sag may well be preset, however it is as well to verify that it is correct. Also as soon as you put a passenger on board, or fill your luggage to bursting point, your sag needs to be adjusted, for the best results. To get the most out of these shocks and the quality ride they can give, each customer needs to learn how to set sag. It isn't difficult and I imagine most of Howard's customers read these posts wondering what the fuss is!
2. The answer above gives you a clue! The damping is preset at a starting point for you to fine tune to your preference. You may find it is spot on, but you can only confirm that by adjusting away from the initial settings. Again, some learning is involved and you may find that when carrying a passenger and/or luggage a slight adjustment sweetens things up a treat.
3. Howard has the patience of a Saint!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 2,252
From: wet coast BC
1Canuck, I'm going to leap in here!
1. The sag may well be preset, however it is as well to verify that it is correct. Also as soon as you put a passenger on board, or fill your luggage to bursting point, your sag needs to be adjusted, for the best results. To get the most out of these shocks and the quality ride they can give, each customer needs to learn how to set sag. It isn't difficult and I imagine most of Howard's customers read these posts wondering what the fuss is!
2. The answer above gives you a clue! The damping is preset at a starting point for you to fine tune to your preference. You may find it is spot on, but you can only confirm that by adjusting away from the initial settings. Again, some learning is involved and you may find that when carrying a passenger and/or luggage a slight adjustment sweetens things up a treat.
3. Howard has the patience of a Saint!
1. The sag may well be preset, however it is as well to verify that it is correct. Also as soon as you put a passenger on board, or fill your luggage to bursting point, your sag needs to be adjusted, for the best results. To get the most out of these shocks and the quality ride they can give, each customer needs to learn how to set sag. It isn't difficult and I imagine most of Howard's customers read these posts wondering what the fuss is!
2. The answer above gives you a clue! The damping is preset at a starting point for you to fine tune to your preference. You may find it is spot on, but you can only confirm that by adjusting away from the initial settings. Again, some learning is involved and you may find that when carrying a passenger and/or luggage a slight adjustment sweetens things up a treat.
3. Howard has the patience of a Saint!
you are for sure the #1 best advertisement for Howard.
My questions remain for Howard since the shocks are shipped without a preset as evidenced by his web pages, you the owner set the sag from zero to your & bike weight.
My question stands why there is not a known preset for known weights shipped as a starting point for spring compression. also from the website the damping is also not preset to a starting point for known rider & bike weight. There must be a tool into which the shock can be placed the specified weight applied and preload set. I just want to know why not.
Tweaking I understand, but why the shocks are not shipped preset to details on an order form (filled in to identify the coil spring needed)
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
Likes: 453
From: Davie, FL
Where did you get that info?
Howard
you seem to spend a lot of time one on one. Kudos.
as I understand the process is that the shocks are delivered identical except for the outer coil spring matched to the chosen rider(s) weight plus the weight of the bike. The manufacturing process may produce slight variations and all shock springs and assembly may not be identical and may need tweaking.
my questions;
1) why the sag cannot be preset based on the known facts given that the weight of rider(s) and bike are known. why would/could this be different from one 200# rider to another 200# rider on the same model ride.
2) you have said 16 clicks for dampener is your preference. Is this your preference for your own ride and weight, OR is it an acceptable starting point for all setups.
you seem to spend a lot of time one on one. Kudos.
as I understand the process is that the shocks are delivered identical except for the outer coil spring matched to the chosen rider(s) weight plus the weight of the bike. The manufacturing process may produce slight variations and all shock springs and assembly may not be identical and may need tweaking.
my questions;
1) why the sag cannot be preset based on the known facts given that the weight of rider(s) and bike are known. why would/could this be different from one 200# rider to another 200# rider on the same model ride.
2) you have said 16 clicks for dampener is your preference. Is this your preference for your own ride and weight, OR is it an acceptable starting point for all setups.
All shocks are not built alike for all riders but are built for your case only. The shock dyno is for those 2 shocks only and we match the pair. There are many factors involved in getting the shocks to perform the same. It is just not the parts only and some exact parts will perform differently.
Q: There must be a tool into which the shock can be placed the specified weight applied and preload set. I just want to know why not.
A: Please point to the page # where this tool is available where the weight must change for RoadGlides (front fairing), StreetGlides (Batwings), RoadKings, Sportsters, Dyna's .... loading up the tour pack, tools or no tools, and different riders preferences et AL. I set up the spring pre-load when there is applications which we do over & over again and we use experience only. The bike still must be measured and the compression/rebound must be set to the road conditions as well as riders preference. There is no tool for that.
We do set the spring tension to near where the rider will use them which is called spring pre-load. We can set the springs up near but never exactly for all cases. The springs may not be the same and the values may not be what it reads. The spring pre-load must change as the shocks cycle through the break-in period.
I hope I have answered your question. I must go back to work as I have many things to get out. I have to fix my own electrical system before the weekend so I may not be around here much until after this long weekend.
Last edited by FastHarley; Aug 27, 2013 at 05:03 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 2,252
From: wet coast BC
Thank you Howard for the answer. I now understand that identical shocks with identical springs may have a slight difference and that is why individual setup is needed. Then factor in personal preference and you end up with a different setup for the same weight. These shocks you sell are tunable versus the one size fits all stock shock
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Thank you Howard for the answer. I now understand that identical shocks with identical springs may have a slight difference and that is why individual setup is needed. Then factor in personal preference and you end up with a different setup for the same weight. These shocks you sell are tunable versus the one size fits all stock shock
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
You won't be disappointed. They get better with a thousand miles on them. Before then it seems like adjustments to sweep valve don't do much. Now it seems I can tweek them for the particular situation and the respond perfectly. Talk with Howard when you are ready to install them. A very worthwhile 20-30 minutes.