HarleyTechTalk

I have a 2003 roadglide  I am a 250 pound guy my wife abought 180 or 200 not Sur but I am trying different shocks. I have tried early versions of 12 inch progressives. 12 inch street glide air shocks and a set from mid USA heavy duty air shocks that can take up to 50 pounds of air. Problem is on good bumps I hit the fender and have even ripped out the seat mount bolt. So does anyone know of a heavy duty shock 20th a little less trave 5th at will give a better ride?

Howard at Motorcycle Metal
http://motorcyclemetal.com/index.html

I bought some from him the Ohlins #3-1 if I remember correctly. Tell him you herd about him from HDFORUMS web site.
Gives discount for that, think I paid about $800 couple years ago.
Be ready to talk shocks don't call him if you don't have time to talk.

Russ

You would be a lot better off with 13" shocks. 

Quote from: calif phil on December 02, 2014, 06:54:11 AM
You would be a lot better off with 13" shocks.

And, did you try the air progressives with they're heaviest rate spring? 13"

its kind of hard to run 13s for me I am only 5'8" and run a 21 up front so i want to keep myself flat footed and I had 412 progressive at their highest setting and that's the one that broke the seat mount post. the Harley 12 rubbed the fender at all pressures. I have a mid usa on right now and am running 40 pounds still rubs on the worst dips but not bad.  I know burleys are short and guaranty not to rub the fender but too short to have a quality ride. so what I am looking for is a high quality shock that would be better designed for the machine.
Thanks
John A. Gonzales

Is there anyone else out there using Ohlins shocks. Just curious. Would like to hear other comments good or bad.
Thanks Russ

 :pop:why don't u change the oil to 10 weight in the air shocks works terrific

Quote from: flhtruss on December 02, 2014, 08:09:36 PM
Is there anyone else out there using Ohlins shocks. Just curious. Would like to hear other comments good or bad.
Thanks Russ

I run a set of Ohlin's with the remote reservoir, once you break them in and adjust them, they give an excellent ride and handling.

I run ohlins,  got them from Howard.  I like them a lot better than the progressive 440s I took off.  Didn't get to do alot of miles on them this year , too busy with house projects, a story for another day.
My wife liked them better to.

I know some don't like them, but you can have Progressive install a heavier spring on a set of 944's, they will drop 1" when you sit on the bike but you do not lose any shock travel
i have a lot of customers that have gone this route with no issues, and lifetime warranty as well
just my .02

I tested a set of the 944's on my bike for a day and I thought they were much better than the 440's I have now.    Ledgends REVO is another good choice. 

I'm running Ohlins 2-2B that I got from Howard.  I've put 15K on them so far and have been happy with them.

Ohlins are top shelf (price reflects it).
I run the progressive air shocks with the 200+lb. Spring no air, works well and compensates for spring sag.

If you are bottoming the present shocks you simply do not have enough air pressure in them.
Keep increasing pressure until the suspension no longer bottoms.
If it takes 80lbs to accomplish it so be it. Don't worry about max pressure worry about max comfort.
As always, JMHO,
Bob

I put a set of Ohlins in my 03 RK this past August, with all of the mods I've done to this bike these shocks should have been the first of them.


Mike

Quote from: FLTRI on December 03, 2014, 12:58:34 PM
If you are bottoming the present shocks you simply do not have enough air pressure in them.
Keep increasing pressure until the suspension no longer bottoms.
If it takes 80lbs to accomplish it so be it. Don't worry about max pressure worry about max comfort.
As always, JMHO,
Bob

At what pressure do you start to blow out the seals?

Would have to shorten the life of the bladders with excessive pressure.

You should have a shocks with bump stops that limit travel before parts rub/hit that shouldn't.  Adding air to stiffen shocks that will rub/damage things when bottomed seems like a pretty serious compromise to me.  Suspension when set-up correctly should bottom on the harder/bigger hits,  the bumps in turn limit travel and unwanted contact.   -Rick

If you find a pair of 2009 and newer Street Glide HD Air Shocks you can run much higher air pressure than the earlier years of HD shocks. The SG shocks are the lower ones and come stock on those bikes.
They can be had for very little money and since lots of folks are taking them off for something different.

Quote from: ThumperDeuce on December 03, 2014, 01:38:16 PM

Quote from: FLTRI on December 03, 2014, 12:58:34 PM
If you are bottoming the present shocks you simply do not have enough air pressure in them.
Keep increasing pressure until the suspension no longer bottoms.
If it takes 80lbs to accomplish it so be it. Don't worry about max pressure worry about max comfort.
As always, JMHO,
Bob

At what pressure do you start to blow out the seals?

Back in 2003 I wanted to just how much the shock seals could take so I put 100lbs in them and then road a really bumpy road for some 10 miles. The ride was a bit harsh but the seals never leaked a psi!
If you think about it the more pressure behind the seal the harder it grips and seals the moving shaft.
I've run as high as 70 lbs for long periods with 2up, full load and the only thing I noticed was the ride was excellent.
40 lbs with a 2up, full load and the bike constantly bottomed and sent jolts through my back.
The only time suspension should bottom is when the bump is really harsh as with hitting a curb.
Hope this helps,
Bob