Anybody have experience with adjusting Softail shocks? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Misterb · 04-26-2009, 12:28 PM

I bought that little wrench to adjust the shocks, but I don't really understand which direction I should turn them to make the ride more stiff, and which way I should turn it to make the ride more soft.

Mine are still just at the factory setting, but I'd like to experiment with it to see what is going to be best for mostly one up riding, but occasional two up riding.

DAKSY · 04-26-2009, 07:03 PM

Loosen the locknut & turn the adjuster plates - with your spanner - towards the locknut to increase the spring preload to carry a heavier load...
Tighten the locknut.
HTH...

ChopperDude · 04-26-2009, 07:40 PM

We've adjusted these things in the shop.... we never could tell any difference from tightest to loosest.

The_Snowman · 04-26-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChopperDude

We've adjusted these things in the shop.... we never could tell any difference from tightest to loosest.

I'm with Chopper Dude, I tightened mine right up and couldn't tell any difference; going over to Arnott Air Suspension real soon

A search for "adjust Softail Shocks" give 162 hits, but what you really need to do is..........

Check this out -> http://www.fatbillscustoms.com/

jonny oz · 04-27-2009, 09:26 AM

this site has a good explanation
http://fatbillscustoms.com/
under preload shocks

Misterb · 04-27-2009, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the info, guys. Sounds like I won't bother adjusting them if you can't even tell a difference...

pawpawsoftail · 04-27-2009, 01:15 PM

Just my 2 cents worth, but it wouldn't hurt to give the adjustment a shot. I have a '99 Softail and I stiffened the stock shocks and I could tell a difference when ridden over the same area as before the adjustment. It's a bit of a pain but you don't have a lot of options with the stock type shocks. It just takes a little time and getting your own routine down. But it's a new learning experience anyways.

DR_DEUCE · 04-27-2009, 07:30 PM

If you cannot tell any difference, you are not doing it correctly. A 1/8 of a turn is noticeable even with the bike on a table. Most likely, you are letting the housing turn as well as the adjuster up front.

TMM · 04-27-2009, 08:27 PM

After having the suspension bottom out in the rear while riding my bike with my wife on the back for the first time, I adjusted mine about three threads from all the way out. Next ride with her, same road, no bottoming happened. I weigh 265 and she's about half that, and the adjustment definitely made a huge difference. Riding solo, it's just a bit stiffer but not really bad at all. My bike's an 06 Deluxe and I like how it rides, stock shocks and all... YMMV

Edited to add: I had to borrow a buddy's jack to raise the bike up far enough
to get a wrench, (1 1/16th inch wrench), on the locknuts to loosen them.

FatBill · 06-23-2009, 02:19 PM

How come nobody ever asks me?!?!?! Fatbill

anubisss · 06-23-2009, 03:07 PM

I scrapped the stockers and got a Hi LO air ride for my softail. It was well worth the dough. http://www.hi-lorider.com/

mafosa · 07-03-2009, 05:13 PM

i couldnt get mine to adjust, even in a vice.. its froze. went progressive.

vindex1963 · 07-03-2009, 08:28 PM

Less threads more pre-load. I could tell in the fact that 2 up there is no bottoming. Mine show 1 thread.

BadBullie · 07-07-2009, 09:36 PM

Try this
http://fatbillscustoms.com/

gr8whyt · 07-12-2009, 07:46 AM

When I put my Fatcats on about 2 months ago, they started dragging right away on even moderate right hand turns riding 2up. Shocks were set at factory adjustment. I had my mech set the pre-load up to max. Haven't drug the pipes since. Wife says bike rides about the same (maybe even smoother). Just what I've experienced.

-- gr8whyt