| Author | Message | ||
     Foximus |
Is there a simple way to service and change fluid in the rear shock? I have the 16.5" one... I think the first recall? I have lost all compression and rebound dampening | ||
| Harleyelf |
Not really. That's a hard unit to find, too. You'll probably wind up changing the front mount so you can use the 14.5" one. There are other ways to go, but that's the simplest and cheapest. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Race Tech is the simplest way to get your shock serviced. Otherwise replace with stock short unit as suggested above, or upgrade to Works Performance or Penske. | ||
| Two_seasons |
That bike may be eligible for the 14.5 upgrade shock. You should run the VIN through HD to find out. | ||
| Foximus |
what? Really? Harley will still do the recall? is the 14.5 supposed to be a better unit? Would I run the VIN over the phone at a local HD dealer or go corporate? I just read the entire thread on how to service them, and I'm going to go that route, and revalve at the same time. I've done shocks before, so it shouldn't be a problem. | ||
| Foximus |
I just called one HD dealer... they said the swing arm and shock recall was done on my bike in '01. Though I still have the 16.5" showa? edit. Called a different dealer ship. He said there is no shock recall on my bike... only a SHOCK EYE recall, and that the shock eye was fixed. Bummer. Looks like I'm not getting a free shock anyways. (Message edited by foximus on December 24, 2011) | ||
| Buellish |
You probably have the 1st recall shock.The 14.5 was done on bikes of your vintage as a "goodwill replacement" if the first recall shock crapped out.I was initially told that the goodwill replacemant wasn't applicable to my '96 S2 but i went through channels and got it any way.And yes it's a much better shock. | ||
| Foximus |
Well I'm going to be revalving one. Either revalve and rebuild mine, or score a 14.5" shock and have that revalved. So whichever would be a better basis to start from... Ie... lighter, better materials, better valve design (pretty sure they are both same internals...) I'd love to see if I could get a lowering bracket for the 16.5" shock and use it with a 14.7" shock to get an extra inch of ride height in the rear.... Purpony has one, but I dont know if he'll sell it. haha. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Lowering bracket for S3 with old front mount and new shock. Make a hat for the 14.5" shock a bit less than the difference in length between them. I made mine a bit longer to lower the ride height on account of my elfin build. You can adjust the swing arm bottom out height by making one a bit shorter and it will raise your ride height.  | ||
| 01x1buell |
on account of my elfin build ahhh so thats why they call you harley elf  } | ||
| Foximus |
Yea, I would like to avoid building an extension hat if at all possible... but thats definitely in the cards. | ||
| Foximus |
i've also been considering doing a rod and lever setup to convert using a 1125r compression shock. | ||
| Harleyelf |
I did not give myself the name. I did gleefully accept it and use it for all my screen names and as my stage name when I'm with the Big Sur Players. You won't find any new 16.5" stock shocks for sale. The 14.5" is common. Making a front bracket is harder than building a hat for the shock. It's really quite rigid. Allows both pull and push forces to be transmitted cleanly. | ||
| 01x1buell |
ohh ok jamie sorry i did not mean to offend you . so the shorter the shock the higher the ride height is??? | ||
| Foximus |
Right... I wont be building a front mounting bracket, but If able I will buy one, like I said, Purpony has a nice lowering bracket from somebody... And yes. The shorter the shock the further the fulcrum is pulled forward, raising the rear. | ||
| 01x1buell |
well i would like to do that on my x1 i think that a couple of inches taller in the rear would look much better. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Nothing offensive about the story: I was recruited into a troupe of comedians in Big Sur. They had gotten ahold of a video camera and were looking for local wildlife to interview. Flagged me down and asked, cold and on camera, "You're a Harley Elf, aren't you? Is what we hear about the local elves true?" It led to my famous interview of the president of the League of California Redwoods, which I think they still show at the bar in the River Inn. Only I could hear his responses, of course. He made a lot of fun of how young all humans are, but he had some interesting perspective on our activities. For a tree, he was quite talkative. You cannot just shorten the shock a foot and expect the wheel to drop down two. Check your swing arm travel with the shock disconnected. Then make a shock that bolts to where you want the swing arm bolt hole to be. Then find the other end of that shock and build a mount to it. | ||
| 01x1buell |
ha thats great jamie ,well it sounds like you do have some great stories from the past  | ||
| Harleyelf |
You calling me old? | ||
| 01x1buell |
well maybe not old but i am 25 so.... nah j/k your not old. | ||
| Foximus |
Yes. but the Swingarms downward travel is limited only by a hump that is casted into the engine mounting block. Simply Grind away, rinse and repeat. | ||
| Buellish |
Fox,I have a Westek lowering bracket for sale.I would take $60 for it shipped. | ||
| Foximus |
Snap me a picture mang! sales@highwayhousecycles.com Its for the 16.5" shock yes? | ||
| Buellish |
Yes,for the 16.5.I'm in balmy south Geargia, away from my computer.I'll be home tomorrow afternoon and can send you a pic then. | ||
| Foximus |
not a big rush. I dont even have a 14.5" shock yet... waiting for the auction to end. |
