Originally Posted by Dannyrider

Yes that is correct Swifty, if the shock, canister, is all the wy to the back of the bike, that is minimun preload. with one and half turn would put you at about 400lbs.
I set my at 1 7/8 turns out, 375lbs wity my daughter and bike feels lovely
check this chart out:
The general rule of thumb I us
4 turns for load <= 180 lbs.
3 turns for 180lbs < load <= 235lbs
2 turns for 235lbs < load <= 300lbs
1 turn for 300lbs < load <= 375lbs
0 turns for 375 < load

Examples:
235lbs solo rider: 3 full turns
235lbs solo rider + 32lbs pack: 2.5 turns
235lbs rider + 150lbs passenger + 32lbs pack: 0.5 turns

Originally Posted by swifty

Ok this is where you guy are losing me.....The owners manual says for a FLSTC
riders weight.

less than 165 is 0 turns
165 -220lbs is 1 turn
220-275lbs is 2 turns
275-335lbs is 3 turns
335-395lbs is 4 turns
395 to max added weight is 5 turns .
this is turns out{counterclockwise} from minimum preload.

So I figure 1 and a half turns should be good since with my gear Im at about 220.

How do you see it as 400????? what am I missing here???

Originally Posted by MicahB339

You can adjust the shocks without the hd t noool.
You don't even have to turn the shock body.

loosen the front nuts on the shock studs
Then loosen the lock nut
Then turn the stud itself to adjust preload