JRI shock setup
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Hallsville TX
JRI shock setup
I bought a set of JRI shocks.
I didn't own a Jack at the time so I had them put on and set up at the local Harley shop.
We called Howard and he helped walk us through it.
I have about 1000 miles on them now.
I have now bought a jack and been playing with them .
I have found that if I run them with about 15mm of sag rather than 30, the bike handles considerably better for me.
Does anybody else have theirs set outside the recommended parameters?
I could call Howard again but I would rather not.
I didn't own a Jack at the time so I had them put on and set up at the local Harley shop.
We called Howard and he helped walk us through it.
I have about 1000 miles on them now.
I have now bought a jack and been playing with them .
I have found that if I run them with about 15mm of sag rather than 30, the bike handles considerably better for me.
Does anybody else have theirs set outside the recommended parameters?
I could call Howard again but I would rather not.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
He'll read this, be sure! 
It's possible you will benefit from adjusting the damping, if yours have adjusters. If they do, set the sag correct and start playing. Use 'Search' for 'JRI' and you will find recent threads on setting them up correctly.
It's possible you will benefit from adjusting the damping, if yours have adjusters. If they do, set the sag correct and start playing. Use 'Search' for 'JRI' and you will find recent threads on setting them up correctly.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Sag set-up is universally accepted to be at about 1/3 of shock travel. If you choose not to set it that way you compromise the amount of shock compression and rebound on the road. If you set the sag correctly and adjust damping you will get the ride you should have. The best setting for "feel" varies slightly from the best setting for "performance" but no one would ever tell you to set the sag the way you have. It is meant to neutralize weight of the bike and nothing more. You really should have 2/3 travel for compression amd 1/3 for rebound.
After a few hundred miles of break-in riding reset properly and try again.
After a few hundred miles of break-in riding reset properly and try again.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Buff, are you setting the sag with your weight on the bike and are you taking accurate measurements? It seems to me that you would need to crank the springs pretty hard to get the sag you describe.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Hallsville TX
yes that is with me on the bike.
I screwed the spring nuts down 3 full turns
put a tie wrap on and took it for a spin.
it slid the tie wrap down to about 3/8" of bottoming out.
I'm thinking I'm too heavy for the 30mm sag setting.
I weigh 300 pounds
I will play with it some more but My bike handles much better than it did before I tightend the spring up.
the damping is still set on 12 clicks
I screwed the spring nuts down 3 full turns
put a tie wrap on and took it for a spin.
it slid the tie wrap down to about 3/8" of bottoming out.
I'm thinking I'm too heavy for the 30mm sag setting.
I weigh 300 pounds
I will play with it some more but My bike handles much better than it did before I tightend the spring up.
the damping is still set on 12 clicks
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
I think you need to start all over again and set your Shock Sag correctly. Plus, it takes two people to do this. You can not get accurate measurement by yourself. Also, putting a tie wrap on the shock shaft doesn't really mean anything. The little rubber piece at the end of the shock shaft is meant to be squeezed down when full travel of the shock is necessary. The fact that it was 3/8" above the rubber bumper stop means you had a whole lot of shock travel left. Remember, proper Shock Sag should be 1/3 of total Shock Travel.
What model JRI's do you own?
What model JRI's do you own?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Hallsville TX
I think you need to start all over again and set your Shock Sag correctly. Plus, it takes two people to do this. You can not get accurate measurement by yourself. Also, putting a tie wrap on the shock shaft doesn't really mean anything. The little rubber piece at the end of the shock shaft is meant to be squeezed down when full travel of the shock is necessary. The fact that it was 3/8" above the rubber bumper stop means you had a whole lot of shock travel left. Remember, proper Shock Sag should be 1/3 of total Shock Travel.
What model JRI's do you own?
What model JRI's do you own?
thanks
After 1000 miles from origanl setup they were bottoming out too often and really spungy in curves.
I will start over when I can get some help.
Maybe I just needed to mess with the damping but the way they were, I liked the stock air shock ride much better
they are B-13
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Thinking about putting my JRI's on tonight. One thing is for sure...I'm going to call Howard when the old shocks are off the bike before I install these. Been scalded by him in teh past for not following directions and I am a firm believer (now) in the fact that he is the man whom knows what needs to be done.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Hallsville TX
Thinking about putting my JRI's on tonight. One thing is for sure...I'm going to call Howard when the old shocks are off the bike before I install these. Been scalded by him in teh past for not following directions and I am a firm believer (now) in the fact that he is the man whom knows what needs to be done.
We called him when we set the shocks up the first time.
I cant say it was a pleasant experience
I will say I ordered tires and wheels from your outfit and really enjoyed doing business with y'all
Last edited by Buff58; Jul 31, 2013 at 12:32 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
Talked with him shortly ( very shortly). Was told he's to busy and had the impression that he couldn't give a rats *** if i buy from him or not. I figure if he don't have time for me before a sale, how's he after a sale...Onward to other options.....see what i can find in sturgis...
Last edited by Pete6114; Jul 31, 2013 at 01:09 PM.