Dust boot for rear Shocks

[Ultraman]

I stopped by the local dealer to get dust boots for rear shocks. Guy behind the counter tells me that HD does not sell them, but I can buy the whole shock! He meant it. He further informed me that he has never seen splits in the bellows before, ever. And that's why they don't have them. Tells me I'm the only HD owner with splits in the rubber bellows...on the continent! They leave a bad taste in my mouth, unless your looking at a new bike, they don't seem to want to help too much. Anyone have an after market supply? The bike is an 02 Ultra, I think the shocks have been the same since 1985 though to present. Just need a pair of rubber dust boots. Thanks in advance.

[specialx1]

run with out em , aint no big deal, less ya just want em there, but you can get boots from honda, not sure of the years but gold wing shock is same and you can buy the boot only from Honda, may be time for new shocks anyways , just sayin...
Specialx1

[Mike52]

Unfortunately the 'Guy behind the counter' is telling you the truth, the shock boots aren't available separately from HD. He's probably also telling you the truth that he's never seen splits in the bellows before.  Here's an example of 3 of our 'parts guys', 1 has worked with the company for 13 years, rides a HD but never wrenches on it, he paid our service dept to put brake pads on it recently. Another graduated from MMI, yet he decided to become a 'parts guy' because he didn't like getting his hands dirty. I've never heard him mention working on his bike. Finally the best one I saved for last, he's never even ridden a motorcycle, he was a detailer (cleaned bikes) for a year then moved into the parts dept. The only bike knowledge he has is from the parts books or computer screen or what he's heard someone else say. But what do you expect for $300 a week?? It's hard to soar with eagles when you're surrounded with turkeys!!

[marc]

I think I can help you...Page 34 of the May 2007 issue of American Iron had a write up on this exact problem...I still have the article in my HD folder because it will eventually happen to me...The bike discussed was a 2002 FLHT Standard...I am not going to rewrite the whole article but if you PM me your fax # I will fax the article to you...According to the article you need to go to Advance Auto Parts and get part # K3533190 or go to an auto parts store that carries TRW suspension parts and get part # 15113D...They are around $20.00 each...I believe they are Chevy boots which fit perfectly...They are the same length and diameter as the original Harley boots...One end is just a little smaller and requires a cut which is described in detail in the article and why you need to PM me your fax # so I can fax you the article with the instructions that this guy provided...I hope this is helpful...

[FLTRI]

Unfortunately the 'Guy behind the counter' is telling you the truth, the shock boots aren't available separately from HD. He's probably also telling you the truth that he's never seen splits in the bellows before.  Here's an example of 3 of our 'parts guys', 1 has worked with the company for 13 years, rides a HD but never wrenches on it, he paid our service dept to put brake pads on it recently. Another graduated from MMI, yet he decided to become a 'parts guy' because he didn't like getting his hands dirty. I've never heard him mention working on his bike. Finally the best one I saved for last, he's never even ridden a motorcycle, he was a detailer (cleaned bikes) for a year then moved into the parts dept. The only bike knowledge he has is from the parts books or computer screen or what he's heard someone else say. But what do you expect for $300 a week?? It's hard to soar with eagles when you're surrounded with turkeys!!

Mike,
You have hit the HD problem right on the head. What CAN you expect from an employee without any training, who has no incentive. and works for $10-$12 per hr....or less???

The dealers need to reconsider how important their parts and service personell are to their profitability rather than relying on sales (bikes and motorclothes) to cover all the overhead.
When I first took over the service dept @ a dealer the dealer principal (owner) told me "the service dept was a loser but a necessary evil, so good luck trying to be profitable". We ended up very profitable but I hired qualified, experienced mechanics and paid them $20-$30 per hr to start. The profit followed from extremely happy customers and mechanics that liked coming to work.
Bob

[GaryD]

I posted the exact same post about a month ago. I have an 03 Ultra and asked the same thing. There are a lot of solutions on that post. I don't know how to link to it, but if you run a search for it you should be able to pull it up.
I was even looking for some take off shocks just to get the rubber boots. Some even said take them off completely...you don't need them. That may be, but I figure if H-D put them on there must be a reason or they wouldn't have spent the money putting them on in the first place. Right now I have duct tape sealing the boots...both of them.

[Coyote]

Maybe this one?

http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,16018.0.html

[GaryD]

That's the one, thanks Coyote.

[Ultraman]

Standard Chev aftermarket, that figures. I'll get a pair this week. Thanks to all who replyed.

[FLTRI]

Just food for thought: Shocks are like tires....they wear out. If the shocks are so old the rubber boots have rotted and/or cracked/split you can just imagine how worn out and ratty the internals of the shocks are.
Just like tires, you put a new set on and the bike feels new again.
HTH,
Bob

[Ultrashovel]

I don't recall ever seeing the boots split but I am aware that you can't get replacements. Harley doesn't make the shocks as far as I know. The suggestion above with part numbers from Devil Inside is the best idea.

[92flhtcu]

I know you just want the boots but your shocks are worn out if they are old enough to have the boots ripped, but you won't believe it until you replace them! They are such a gradual decline in ride quality that you don't notice it, it's not like they were great one day and junk the next. I had 3 baggers this last season that I went through for guys and all needed rear shocks, when I called them they were a little skeptical but said do it. They all called me after they got home and said WOW! What a difference

I bought all new take offs for them at two different local dealers, paid $100.00 per set

Rob

[hdbikedoc]

Just a note We were multi dealer for long time and you can buy them from honda they are on gold wing shocks (showa) a honda company