I have a 2007 883L sportster. I started a thread earlier about replacing the bone jaring stock shocks. I got some good advice about replacing them with some air shocks. My question now is, should I go with 13 or 12 inch shocks? I read on a different older thread that the 13 inch ones may make the bike lean over on the stand too much, making it feel like it will fall over. Can any one comment on this?

Additonally, I bought this bike used and it came with the HD sportster saddle bags which wrap around the rear turn signals and snap to the bags. Being that the air shocks are fatter, will the saddle bags work with the new shocks? Or will the shocks make the bags stick out too far thus making them the harder to attach?

I am thankful for all the help and advice on here and I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences.

 

An extra inch in your shocks won't affect how your bike rests on the stand at all.

Think of the angle that the shocks are mounted at. That would create a net vertical gain of about a 1/2", on the back end only. (You're not changing the front end at all, are you?) Then consider where the jiffy stand is located, approx. half-way between the two axles. Now you're looking at a net vertical gain at the stand of 1/4". Not going to mess with your stand a bit. And you still get the benefit of a full extra inch of shock travel.

Can't help you with the bag question, but it seems like you should be able to figure something out. If it really bothers you, why not go with standard spring & gas shocks? The extra travel alone will make a world of difference.

 

I have 12" Street Glide shocks on my 48 and they are FANTASTIC! The bike sits exactly as it did before but the ride is in another world.

There are various things to consider when selecting shocks, how heavy are you, do you take passengers etc? Clearly the more weight you put on the bike the more shock resistance and travel you're going to need.

With regard to your saddlebags whilst I can't say for sure, although the air shocks are fatter they're not so fat that they should cause any problems.

 

When I did my road king shock change I also did the front springs....Yes it did lean over to the left side...I just drilled two holes in the kick stand and put some plastic spacers on the bottom and a metal plate under that an it is perfect...GOOD LUCK..

 

The 12" will sit your bike about the same (~1/4" difference at the seat), and the 13" will be slightly higher (~3/4" at the seat), but will not affect the side stand operation. The 13" will give you more travel to absorb bigger bumps, but other than large bumps, they will ride the same.

Personally, I would go with the 13" (and I will, once I have the $). The choice, obviously, has to be yours in the end.

 

Thats good info..I too was wondering about that. Someone else said that it could also change the way oil reads on the dipstick, is that true?

 

Thanks to all who replied. I weight about 165 and will only ride solo on this bike. So I think either the 12" or 13" shocks would work. The 13" ones are easier and cheaper to find on ebay. I just didn't want the issue of too much bike lean to the left when on the stand. Saying that, I did think about adding some sort of extension on to the bottom of the stand if needed; so I guess there really won't be an issue with the 13" shocks when it is all said and done. I have ordered a J&S jack, so I can start doing some of my own maintenence. So, hopefully soon I can report back after I add the new shocks and let those who are interested know how it went.

 

iv got the 13inchers and it does look like it leans a lot more but now that people are saying it doesnt idk. but i love the shocks. well worth the 75 bucks i paid for them.

 

i have 13inchers on my iron. and they're just bloody fine. i simply love'em.
and they're 1/2'' shorter than thh european 13.5'' caveman pogosticks.

 

I dont mean to steal the thread, but how do you know which knotch to set the stockers on? I assume its by weight - I am 190lbs. What the right preload?