Adjusting rear shocks
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Taken from Yahoo Answers....
Rear shocks can be adjusted with bike resting on jiffy stand, but on a jack stand is better. Loosen jam nut, use spanner wrench (Kent Moore 94455-89 or Jim's equivalent), turn adjuster plates out (toward locknut) to increase preload, turn adjuster plates in (away from locknut) for a softer ride and lighter loads. Be sure both shocks are set to the same preload position or bike will pull to one side over bumps. Tighten locknut.
Rear shocks can be adjusted with bike resting on jiffy stand, but on a jack stand is better. Loosen jam nut, use spanner wrench (Kent Moore 94455-89 or Jim's equivalent), turn adjuster plates out (toward locknut) to increase preload, turn adjuster plates in (away from locknut) for a softer ride and lighter loads. Be sure both shocks are set to the same preload position or bike will pull to one side over bumps. Tighten locknut.
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Are you turning the jamb nut counter clock wise? Also I had to put a long nail punch in the shock body to keep it from spinning while I adjusted the plate. Mark the shock body and plate and count turns so you adjust both shocks the same amount of turns. Also counter clockwise (toward rear tire ) for stiffer ride.
Last edited by RANGER73; 04-01-2012 at 10:18 PM.
#7
You probably need to heat the retention nuts up to release the loctite.
HD, in their wisdom, loctites the retention nuts.
Once I got my retention nuts loose, I just barely snug them tight when I am done adjusting the shocks. The nuts have never loosened up between adjustments. If anything they tend to get tighter.
Tom
HD, in their wisdom, loctites the retention nuts.
Once I got my retention nuts loose, I just barely snug them tight when I am done adjusting the shocks. The nuts have never loosened up between adjustments. If anything they tend to get tighter.
Tom
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#9
If you CAN loosen the jam nut, but CANNOT turn the shock with the spanner wrench, then spray some penetrating oil on the threads where they meet the shock. Let it sit for a few hours then try again. On my softail, the shock adjuster and threads point forward. Lots of crap gets in there. Once I had mine moving, I cycled them thru and entire adjustment range and then coated the threads in high quality anti-seize.
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