Need new rear shocks

[grandpawj]

Well I have determined that my rear air shocks will not hold air. Is the replacement something I can do or should I let the dealer or repair shop do it? If I can do it, how do I determine which ones I need to buy and where do I get 'em?

 

[rhino 2]

Check out ..DK before you do anything... The're a sponsor here And they have done a lot of testing of shocks..

And sell them also...ThumbUp

 

[DK Custom Products]

Well I have determined that my rear air shocks will not hold air. Is the replacement something I can do or should I let the dealer or repair shop do it? If I can do it, how do I determine which ones I need to buy and where do I get 'em?

Rear Shocks Testing Report to read before spending time or $ on shocks.

Kevin

 

[Gorilla]

Check out ..DK before you do anything... The're a sponsor here And they have done a lot of testing of shocks..

And sell them also...ThumbUp

+1 on Rhino's suggestion

 

[grandpawj]

Very informative, thanks Kevin. So this means it's not necessary to replace with factory air shocks, right? Now to the other question, I have mechanical knowledge but have never done a shock replacement on a Harley Trike. Is the process straight forward and relatively simple to do without special tools and equipment?

 

[Gorilla]

Very informative, thanks Kevin. So this means it's not necessary to replace with factory air shocks, right? Now to the other question, I have mechanical knowledge but have never done a shock replacement on a Harley Trike. Is the process straight forward and relatively simple to do without special tools and equipment?

If you are experienced turning a wrench then changing the shocks is not hard. The space is a little confined but very workable. The non-air shocks work great.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

+1 ... not tough at all ... probably the toughest thing is getting the trike up in the air.

 

[nucseal]

Very informative, thanks Kevin. So this means it's not necessary to replace with factory air shocks, right? Now to the other question, I have mechanical knowledge but have never done a shock replacement on a Harley Trike. Is the process straight forward and relatively simple to do without special tools and equipment?

Just use a open box wrench on the top bolts, so you don't lock the wrench in. Space is tight in the upper bolt area, but doable. Changing the shocks is no worse than changing shocks on a car. I changed to the Bitubo shocks after talking with Kevin. I couldn't believe how much of a difference these shocks made in smoothing out the road and my back thanks him.

Ride Safe

Nuc

 

[grandpawj]

Okie Dokie, got em ordered from DK, after I get them and install, will give a ride report.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Okie Dokie, got em ordered from DK, after I get them and install, will give a ride report.

Always a good thing .... the more information on here the better.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Very informative, thanks Kevin. So this means it's not necessary to replace with factory air shocks, right? Now to the other question, I have mechanical knowledge but have never done a shock replacement on a Harley Trike. Is the process straight forward and relatively simple to do without special tools and equipment?

I know we spoke on the phone the other day...enjoyed it...but for other reading this thread-

No, on your conversion, you can leave the air bags in place and still replace the shocks.

It is a straight forwards process. Most important, like Fuzzy said, is getting the trike well supported when the rear tires are off the ground. You don't want any chance of it falling while working on it.

The shocks are just a top and bottom bolt. Remove them, put the new shock in place with the same bolts you removed. Use thread locker.

Kevin

 

[grandpawj]

Got my shocks from DK very quickly. I installed them without any trouble right after getting the delivery. Was very straight forward and simple with your page of instructions. Thanks Kevin.

I'm gonna have to wait a few days for the ride report as it has been raining cats and dogs for the last week, gosh it has been soggy, just no fun to get out there with weather like this.

 

[1dn5up]

Did the pro-action replacement. A little to jumpy for me, as I ride 1up 90%.

However with 2up it's a pure joy :clapping: Might fill the trunk with sand bags :Shrug:

Then again we got the worst roads in the NE. We have the most amount of weeds covering the guard rails, barriers. The state says there's no $ to clean up or replace/repair roads. But their is no shortage of shovel leaners :gah:The best part is the towns redig up roads for replacement water/gas/electric lines with in 2weeks after repaving! Good planing guys

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

The best part is the towns redig up roads for replacement water/gas/electric lines with in 2weeks after repaving! Good planing guys

Clearly you have never heard of Job Security ... :xzqxz:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Did the pro-action replacement. A little to jumpy for me, as I ride 1up 90%.

However with 2up it's a pure joy :clapping: Might fill the trunk with sand bags :Shrug:

If you'll give us a call we can go over how to adjust your shocks so that they will be a good ride for you both solo and 2up.

Kevin

 

[hARLEY jOE]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents.. (2015 TriGlide)

Just installed the Bitubo shocks from DK Custom. DK set them up to our weight and the stuff we carry. Only had a chance to put on about 250 miles so far. I tried to find every cottin-pickin rough road in Oregon - found some doozies. I've got to say over the standard stock air shocks, the WOW factor was clean off the richter scale.

If I get a next trike, these shocks are the first thing I'm going to do to it.

Word of warning - if you have a standard lift kit on your standard TriGlide, the install is straight-forward. It will work as per instructions. I found that with my lift kit from DK Custom, they had to be installed differently, not quite as easy as the standard lift was.

If anybody needs to know the install for the lift kit, let me know

 

[DK Custom Products]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents.. (2015 TriGlide)

Just installed the Bitubo shocks from DK Custom. DK set them up to our weight and the stuff we carry. Only had a chance to put on about 250 miles so far. I tried to find every cottin-pickin rough road in Oregon - found some doozies. I've got to say over the standard stock air shocks, the WOW factor was clean off the richter scale.

If I get a next trike, these shocks are the first thing I'm going to do to it.

Word of warning - if you have a standard lift kit on your standard TriGlide, the install is straight-forward. It will work as per instructions. I found that with my lift kit from DK Custom, they had to be installed differently, not quite as easy as the standard lift was.

If anybody needs to know the install for the lift kit, let me know

Hey Joe,

Thanks for sharing your experience...it is one of those things that has to be experienced to realize how much of an improvement they make.

I am a bit confused about your experience with the Lift Kits.

We have three kits, you can see them HERE.

We have a Standard, a Comfort Lift™ and a Convertible Comfort Lift™. Install of the Standard and the Comfort is identical in process and ease. On the Convertible, install at the "Full Lift" is the same as the Standard and Comfort, and install at the "Secondary" position is even easier.

Are you maybe referring to the difference between installing the shocks with the factory bracket vs. the Standard Lift Bracket?

Kevin

 

[grandpawj]

My DK lift kit came in today. I will begin installation first thing in the morning. When they say fast shipping that's what they mean! I ordered it one day and got it the next! Does the lift kit install work the same with the MotorTrike conversion the same as with other manufacturers?

 

[grandpawj]

On my Motor Trike, the shock mount is welded to the axle housing. I can't see a way to install the lift kit. The reason I ordered it is that the first test run with the new shocks was just too mushy. It bottomed out terribly, I limped back to the house. So..........not being able to install lift kit (there might be a way, I just can't see it.) I did what I should have in the beginning. I put one full round of preload adjustment on the top of each shock (increase). Also, since beginning this whole process I thought my air bags weren't holding air. (Now it seems they do, I will have to keep an eye on it to see if they maintain air pressure over time). Anyway, with the extra round in preload and the airbags set to 30 psi, the next test ride was quite a different story. Man what an improvement, I was looking for bumps in the winding road to try suspension. It was all great!

 

[DK Custom Products]

On my Motor Trike, the shock mount is welded to the axle housing. I can't see a way to install the lift kit. The reason I ordered it is that the first test run with the new shocks was just too mushy. It bottomed out terribly, I limped back to the house. So..........not being able to install lift kit (there might be a way, I just can't see it.) I did what I should have in the beginning. I put one full round of preload adjustment on the top of each shock (increase). Also, since beginning this whole process I thought my air bags weren't holding air. (Now it seems they do, I will have to keep an eye on it to see if they maintain air pressure over time). Anyway, with the extra round in preload and the airbags set to 30 psi, the next test ride was quite a different story. Man what an improvement, I was looking for bumps in the winding road to try suspension. It was all great!

That is great to hear! Don't be hesitant to adjust both the pre-load (like you already have) and the Rebound Damping, at the bottom of the shocks. You may be pleasantly surprised with an even better ride as you dial it in.

Yes, the Lift Kits we have are made to fit only for the HD Tri-Glides, Freewheelers and FLHXXX Models. I don't know of any conversions that they will fit, except for some of the Lehmans.

Kevin