I think it's the other way around, right is rebound... The **** is for preload on the compression side.

But I've been wrong before.

There is no interconnecting tube of any sort.... I've had them both off numerous times.

 

Seems logical, i am setting the compression based on my weight and load on the bike on the left side and the rebound is preset for all weight.

Not knowing that much about suspensions in general, i would have thought that i would also need to adjust the rebound, or it would at least change based on pre-load setting.

Live and learn.

 

Still...my question is why is only one shock adjustable and the other not adjustable on the HD while some shock assemblies on other makes and the aftermarket have symmetrical adjustments on both? What makes the HD design so unique that it only requires the left shock to be adjustable?

Some of my mono-shocked bikes have had compression/rebound/spring pre-load adjustment features on their single shock assemblies that were mounted in the center of their swing arms near their pivot points.

Is this HD's "cheaper" way of effecting mono-shock-like operation on a swingarm with two shock assemblies placed about 12" apart from each other? I see HD's very own Softails also mounts two shocks horizontally but very close to each other (actually next to each other) in the center near the swingarm pivot.

 

I'm going to assume that Howard from motorcyclemetal has neither the inclination or time to explain the MOCO's suspension philosophy and engineering here on this thread, but I'm betting it'd be a very lively and highly entertaining AND educational read!

 

This is not a cheaper way to control the suspension, but a better way.

By using two different shocks, one to control rebound and one to control compression, each shock can be specifically designed to handle one job better than each being required to do both jobs.

Something must be going right, as when I replaced the 12" air shocks on my Street glide with 12" premium hand adjustable, I immediately noticed not only a smoother ride, but much better control and no more bottoming out.

It is far easier to need to adjust only one side for different loads, and there is no need to confirm that both sides are adjusted exactly the same.

Takes less than a minute to crank in some additional preload, and no tools needed.