How do you change shocks on a Softail?
How to Install Shocks on a Softail Motorcycle
- Raise the bike with a bike lift. Place the lift toward the rear of the bike frame so it will lift the rear tire off the ground.
- Install the frame end of the left shock first. Ensure that the shock eye and frame holes are clean and free of debris or oil.
How to remove rear shocks for Harley Softail?
Make sure to take some pressure off the rear shocks. You can use blocks of wood or a floor jack to block the rear wheel to take off that pressure once the bike is on the lift table. To make your job much easier, just remove the rear wheel from the bike.
How do you remove a shock from a suspension?
Use a socket set or a nut splitter to disengage the nut that connects the shock to the suspension, and remove it from the bolt. If there isn’t enough room to operate the splitter, you can apply penetrating solvent.
Where is the shock located on a Harley Davidson?
They function opposite of a conventional shock, as they are inverted. Positioned horizontally under the motorcycle, the shock is mounted to the frame in the front of the bike and to the swing arm in the rear. As the shock compresses, the bike gets taller. As the shock extends, the bike stands lower.
What kind of wrench do I need to adjust Harley Davidson shocks?
Always adjust shocks with the motorcycle resting on the jiffy stand and always adjust both shocks the same number of turns; equally. You will need a spanner wrench (Harley Davidson part # 94448-82B) and a large 1-1/16″ wrench. The 1-1/16″ wrench is used for the jam nut.
How do you remove rear shocks on a Harley?
To remove the bolt, use the wrench that works for you. But if the fasteners seem tight and if you are sure the bolts on the shocks won’t budge easily, you can always apply heat to loosen it up with precaution. Now, with heating and with some foot pressure, the bolt should break loose with the box end wrench.
Where are the shock absorbers on a Harley Davidson Softail?
Softail models feature adjustable rear shock absorbers located beneath the motorcycle. They function opposite of a conventional shock, as they are inverted. Positioned horizontally under the motorcycle, the shock is mounted to the frame in the front of the bike and to the swing arm in the rear. As the shock compresses, the bike gets taller.
Can a Softail rear shock handle 400lbs?
Softails’s come from the factory with the lightest setting for the rear shocks (for <180lbs solo rider). However, they can handle well over 400lbs with no problems with a simple preload adjustment. The service manual is a bit vague on how to set the preload.
What’s the best way to adjust rear shocks?
Now your ready to adjust the shocks to your weight/load. 5) With the spanner wrench, turn the adjuster plate clockwise no more then 4 complete turns by counting how many times the mark from step 4 crosses the 6 o’clock position. 0 turns is the stiffest setting, and 4 turns is the softest setting.