Fat Boy shocks

[kidad]

I think I need to replace the shocks on my 2000 Fat Boy. I have 20,000 miles on these and its a hard ride and I bottom out all the time. When I'm riding two up and leaning hard I'm hitting the frame where the swing arm mounts.Scared the chit out of me and my OL. I think the ones I have on now say "showa" or something like that. Are these the originals?( I bought the bike pre owned so I don't know )What should I replace them with and how hard is it to do.I have the service manual and it dosn't look that bad.Any tips?

[TheNowhereman]

Thats pretty low miles to be thinking about changing shocks..
A hard rider should get at least 40k out of em.
How much rider weight is on the bike with two up?
Could be just a spring preload issue.

[kidad]

I'm around 205 and shes 130 so 335 total.How do I adjust the spring preload. I know I need the spanner wrench but it dosn't look like much thread left to adjust unless I have to go the other way. My tire pressure on the 150 in the rear was down to 30lbs as well.I brought it up to 38. Hitting the frame was not good and has me worried. Thanks for all your help.

[Dan89FLSTC]

Actually the only thing you can adjust on rear shocks is the ride height, by lengthening or shortening the shock. Raising the ride height may help you, but stock shocks are pretty crappy.

I just installed a pair of works shocks on my softail, I went with the works shocks because they are rebuildable.

Try adjusting the ride height, softail shocks are not cheap...

Showa is the original equipment manufacturer for softail shocks.

[kidad]

How do I adjust the ride height? It looks like I can only lengthen the rods. I think its set low now because I can't get a jack under it unless I run it up on some blocks. My friend has a 02 fat Boy and the jack goes right under.

[TheNowhereman]

You can get adjusters to adjust the ride height.
You can adjust your spring pre load, which I feel is what you need.
Keeping your tires at proper pressure is critical.
Pick up a spanner wrench from a shop and you'll see what you have to do.
Softail shocks work in the opposite direction of standard shocks.
When you sit on your scoot, the suspension should compress about an inch for normal riding.
If you ride two up a lot, cut that down to 1/2 inch.
Your shocks are too new to fail right now though, you can purchase all kinds of better boingers later on.

[FatBobRob]

Originally Posted by kidad

I'm around 205 and shes 130 so 335 total.How do I adjust the spring preload. I know I need the spanner wrench but it dosn't look like much thread left to adjust unless I have to go the other way. My tire pressure on the 150 in the rear was down to 30lbs as well.I brought it up to 38. Hitting the frame was not good and has me worried. Thanks for all your help.

the tp shuold be at least 40,go to 41 to make up for gauge innaccuracy.

[y2k-fxst]

Originally Posted by kidad

I'm around 205 and shes 130 so 335 total.How do I adjust the spring preload. I know I need the spanner wrench but it dosn't look like much thread left to adjust unless I have to go the other way. My tire pressure on the 150 in the rear was down to 30lbs as well.I brought it up to 38. Hitting the frame was not good and has me worried. Thanks for all your help.

Check out LA Choppers springs. I posted about them a week or so ago. I called the company and described what weight I carry on the bike and they suggested the springs I needed. Easy to swapp once the shocks are out of the bike. Any shop that installs lowering kits will be able to handle this if you are uncomfortable with doing it. I purchased a Progressive spring tool for the job and after getting it I wish I could have seen it first, could have built one for $5. I believe that any automotive garage that does struts on cars could also do it. The instructions with the springs are pretty self explanitory.

['05Train]

Your manual tells you how to adjust the preload. That sounds like the problem.

I'm replacing mine (as we speak) with Progressive 422s. They're height and preload adjustable.