Hi all, just wondering if it would be possible to stiffen up my standard rear shocks by adding say, a quarter inch washer top and bottom as when I have her loaded the  rear wheel sometimes hits the underside of the mudguard on the bumps,,,,cheers all

Hi Verslagen, there set as high as they will go, but still bottoms out on the odd bump with my tent and all my home comforts loaded on the back. I was thinking of the cheaper option,stronger shocks will cost me £118, four quarter inch washers 0. If I cut them from the plate myself, but was wondering if anybody had tried this,,all the best to you,,k

I got some second party 11 1/2" shocks for one of the Harleys. They were actually shorter than the original on the bike they were intended for. They were about $90.00 and work great. I've got an over sized tire (read DarkSider) on the back and the extra vertical room is good. You will need bigger washers than stock between the shock ends and the nuts that hold them on. When I travel I haul a lot, and with the trailer on there . . . I've put around 11k miles on them with no problem.

Anyway, I took a hammer and ruined one of my big sockets to get the rubber grommets and bushings to swap between the "stock shocks" and the new ones. A shop press would be such a good thing to have. And maybe a shop too. Just google around till you find something that will work for you.

Jack

Wolf wrote on 05/05/09 at 06:48:09:

Look under the chrome skirt on the bottom of your shocks.  You'll see stepped notches under there.  (Make the job easier...spray some sort of dry lube on the notches...blow graphite up there, or any dry lube--don't use a lube that will hold dirt.)  If you turn the lower part of the shock to put the raised lump into a lower notch, it'll pre-load the spring more.  Put that lump into a higher notch and it relaxes the spring.  If the softest setting we call #1, the factory setting is #2.  Stiffer settings are for heavier riders, and/or riding with passengers, and/or rider plus luggage.  Too stiff means that the rear tire doesn't follow unevenness in the pavement as well and you have less traction.  Too soft means that the shock bottoms out with a bump (or thud) on a road bump and you have less traction.  I use a #2 Phillips screwdriver as a lever in the hole in the shock to change the setting.

Jack_650 wrote on 05/05/09 at 07:44:00:


If you ever have to use a socket to push in a bushing, rubber or any other material, do not pound on it with a hammer.  put it in a vise or C clamp and slowly press it into place without damage to socket or the part.

Phelonius

P.S. And a hacksaw

Hey All...

I was wondering if anyone has calculated any figures as to how much weight can be safely(...meaning it won't bottom out...)sustained at each of the five factory settings on the rear suspension.

Notch #1 = approx. _____lbs.
Notch #2 (factory) = approx. _____lbs.

...and so on.

With myself and my Sweetie on it, we are a total of 275-300lbs. I need to know what setting I should be using.

p.s....been married for 7 years and she still won't give me her exact weight!

Thanks, Verslagen1...

I'll go with a five to be on the safe side...