I am putting new shocks on my SGS today! Big deal. I have the 2 original shocks on the bench, and I notice, they ARE 2 different noticeable lengths! Never seen this before! Has anyone else come across this yet? I NEED to hear from you! All you have to do is put'er up on the jack and remove 1 bolt from each one to measure it. This only applies to the SGS because of the adjustable "spring style" shocks. I would really like to hear from you!
I'd post pictures, but I don't know how. I tried, didn't work.

 

I believe the shock with the adjustment **** will raise up and down in correspondence with the adjustment ****

 

Doesn't have to do with the length fully extended

 

The adjustment **** has nothing to do with the length of the shock.

I replaced my air shocks on my SG with a set of SGS coil shocks I purchased on E-bay.
When I went to put them on the bike one was slightly longer than the other by maybe 1/4 of an inch maybe. I had to put the longer shock on first then lower the bike to get the other shock to line up. I believe the one with the compression adjustment **** was the longest, again, just barely though. The compression adjustment **** does not lengthen or shorten the overall length of the eye to eye of the shock though. It merely changes the dampening characteristics of that one shock.

 

On the premium hand adjustables one shock is designed to handle compression and the other to control rebound. Maybe that is why their length differs.

 

True. I don't think the air shocks are 2 different lengths though. At least not that I recall. Which brings the next question. Are the mount holes the same on all touring? Is the streetglide Special different. Waiting for an answer from the MoCo. My shocks are almost a full 5/16".