Suspension Help

[Killer]

Now that I have managed to get the other half on the back seat after 30 years I have a problem with the suspension bottoming out on rough roads. I have bought myself the 'C' Spanner to tighten the shocks (05 Softail Heritage) but I am not sure how far to screw the dampers out.

I am tempted to give them half a turn but is this enough?

Your help would be appreciated.

Also the shock absorber lock nuts are larger than a 11/16" AF which is the biggest spanner that I have. Does anyone know which is the next two sizes upwards and are they easy to get hold of now the metric size fascists are taking over.

[Bilbo]

Screw the dampers 'IN' I think?

The next sizes up from 11/16" AF are 3/4", 13/16" then 7/8".
You should be able to get a set of A/F combination spanners up to and including 7/8" from Halfords. I bought a set of deep A/F sockets from there recently.

[Ming the Merciless]

Just as a matter of interest, what is your combined rider / passenger weight? I ask because I have regularly topped 30 stone when 2-up on my Softail with a mate, and have never bottomed the rear.

[Maggar]

Come off it Pete - you live down south and you've never "bottomed the rear"?

[Ming the Merciless]

Mags, as this is the techical help section, your flippant comments belong elsewhere (the gutter, perhaps?) but you may wish to note that the correct term for "taking someone from behind" is "overtaking." Now keep to the topic or I shall have you moderated. Here endeth the lesson.

[Killer]

Originally Posted by Ming the Merciless

Just as a matter of interest, what is your combined rider / passenger weight? I ask because I have regularly topped 30 stone when 2-up on my Softail with a mate, and have never bottomed the rear.

No where near 30 Stone ! but the bloody roads around here will give a Chieftan Tank some grief !

So how many turns ?

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by Ming the Merciless

Just as a matter of interest, what is your combined rider / passenger weight? I ask because I have regularly topped 30 stone when 2-up on my Softail with a mate, and have never bottomed the rear.

You must both be sitting very light!

Unfortunately bottoming out is a common experience of Harley owners. I am currently pursuing this topic myself under Suspension THUMP! Some of the reason lies at Harley routinely employing frankly cheap and low technology suspension units, both front and rear. Another is that suspension travel on most models is limited, taxing the poor units.

Despite Pete's comments, I have yet to find anyone who can put their finger on a solution that completely solves this. He may be unique! Better quality suspension units will give some relief. I have Fournales air shocks on my Glide, which give a far better ride, but I have yet to coerce them into giving a thump-free ride in all circumstances.

You may find that fine tuning your current shocks will improve things. Grill Pete on just how! Alternatively you may find yourself following in the footsteps of many of us to replacement shocks. You will need a long drink and a patient browse through these records.