2008 XL1200N rear shock adjustment

N

Nightster Nic

Registered User
Hi all, this is my first Harley and I’m totally loving it, except for the hard ride. It feels like I’m on a hard tail!
I’m told a previous owner was a rather portly gentleman, so the shocks are probably set up far too hard for me.
Are this type of shock adjustable and is it a case of getting a special spanner and turning the top rings?
Thanks.

IMG_5156.jpeg
 
Those look like progressive shocks that don't require tools to adjust.

If they haven't been turned for a long time they might have frozen. If you jack the bike up to take the weight off them they ought to turn anti clockwise to reduce the preload.

The red anodised bit at the top may well be damping adjustment. See if you can find some instructions for them.

Now here's the thing. You need to know the full travel of the shock and you need to set the sag to be around 1/3 of that travel. With that screw undone fully if you sit on the bike and it doesn't move then the springs are too stiff for your weight and you will need softer springs if you are ever to get a better ride out of the bike.

Once the sag is set it only needs to be adjusted if the riding weight on the bike increases by you carrying a pillion or lots of luggage. If you cannot set the sag you need to change the springs.

After that damping adjustment is used to set how the spring reacts to the bumps in the road.
 
Rotate the black collar at the top anti clockwise looking from above to decrease the preload make sure both sides are the same measure from the top of the collar to the line just below the red nut in the pic
 
Check the condition of the rear brake hose where it goes through the clip on the swinging arm. On a earlier model I've had the clip wear the hose.
 
Thanks to all of you for the detailed replies, I really appreciate it.

I tried to turn the collars, including using an oil filter strap wrench, but didn’t think to lift the bike to take the weight off.
I’ll have to try that to see if it frees them off.

Andy, when you say ‘with that screw undone…’, do you mean the collars fully backed off or the red, anodised screw undone?

Cheers for the tip Ron, I’ll also check that asap.

I can’t see a make or any part numbers on them, do they look like HD?
 
Hi again, well I jacked the back of the bike up so the wheel was off the floor, and tried turning the top collars. One will turn but the other won’t budge, even using a filter strap wrench. It’s also got scratch marks on it as of a previous owner has tried using a C spanner on it.
I’m out of ideas now, can anyone suggest anything?
 
Sounds seized try some penetrating spray on the threads and around the top of the collar leave it for a bit then try again with the strap wrench
 
Thanks watchman. Yep that sounds right but they look almost new, no sign of corrosion.
I’ll give it a go. 🤞

Just to check; turning the collar UP would reduce the preload?
 
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Right, managed to get both collars to turn, only to find they’re ‘unwound’ the furthest they will go but the suspension is still almost rock solid.
So now I’m guessing they’re either the wrong units or uprated units for a (possibly very) heavy previous owner.
🙄
 
Yep up reduces preload sounds like previous owner was a heavy treader 🤣😂🤣😂 although progressive offer different spring rates so maybe a spring change rather than new shocks
 
Try a ride with em fully wound off there is an active (ias) damping valve inside that adjusts as you ride it may ease the ride rather than bouncing up and down in garage it takes a few miles to change before you notice difference give it a go before spending bucks 👍
 
Thanks watchman.
Both are fully backed off. I’m hoping for a run out tomorrow so I’ll see if they adjust themselves at all.
If not, there’s a good suspension specialist quite close to me, so I’ll ask about changing the springs. Great suggestion, I’d never have thought of that. 👍
 
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