Pro Action Rear Shock Intall Today With Lots Of Pic's On 2017 Tri Glide

[GoSlo]

Did my 2015 almost the same. Secured the front wheel down to the floor, floor jacks (plural) at the normal jacking point and supported the rear at the bumper brackets. Didn't deal with the park brake bracket. I just loosened the lower shock mount bracket enough to get the bottom bolt out. Left side took almost an hour and a half. Knew what to do on the right side, 20 minutes. Have ridden only twice since but love there is no more bottoming out, even 2up, and sooooo much smoother on secondary roads where we ride the most. I put them in right out of the box. Was going to firm them up first but thought if they wanted all that info first, why not try it. Thank you DK Customs.

I laughed out loud when I read your post about the time it took to install the shocks. Just put the Bitumos on about a week ago and it was the same thing.

About one and a half hours for the first side and less than half an hour for the other side.

Bill G had a great tip about shortening the bolts.

They were tough as hell to get out because of the length.

 

[Bill G]

I laughed out loud when I read your post about the time it took to install the shocks. Just put the Bitumos on about a week ago and it was the same thing. About one and a half hours for the first side and less than half an hour for the other side.

Bill G had a great tip about shortening the bolts. They were tough as hell to get out because of the length.

You can also loosen the 3 bolts on the lower shock brackets and get enough room to get the lower shock bolts out. But then you have to remove the 3 lower bracket bolts and add blue lock tight to them and re torque them. As stated or my tip that I gave I just decided to remove or trim the 3 threads off the lower shock bolts instead.

In the big picture, I really could have easily got the job done without removing the 3 threads from the lower shock bolts.

Ride Safe All,
Bill G

 

[headheaded]

so you supported the trike on jackstands right above the mufflers ? sure would like to see some more pic's of your support points.

 

[jc1300]

Well two things play into this..
#1 The trike is pretty new #2 Once a month I put my trike on my J&S Jack trike lift, then I lay underneath it and wipe everything down with a micro fiber cloth soaked in hot water and then rung out. Over all this keeps things pretty clean and allows me to inspect everything.
I tend to to be a little anal about things.....Lol

Ride Safe All,
Bill G

Curious that as you have the J&S Lift - Why not use it to replace the shocks? jc

 

[Bill G]

Curious that as you have the J&S Lift - Why not use it to replace the shocks? jc

The J&S Jacks rear lift arm mechanism rest on the swing arm just behind the exaust cross over. The front arm of the jack rest on the frame underneath the trike. This does not allow the rear swing arm to swing freely up and down which is needed or preferred for rear shock replacement. You may need to manipulate the swing arm freely up and down a little with a floor jack to get your shocks back on. This small manipulation was needed on my left side re install of the rear shocks. This was the reason why jack stands were used supporting the weight of the trike from the frame only not from the swing arm at all leaving it free to move as needed.

See pic of rear support arm from J&S Jack back lift arm in place.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

[Bill G]

so you supported the trike on jackstands right above the mufflers ? sure would like to see some more pic's of your support points.

The trike rear shock install needs to be supported from the frame. There are two cross overs on the frame under the trunk. Place the jack stands on the one in the front by the rear axle. Place jack stands as far apart as possible without resting against the mufflers. Then the rear axle can be manipulated up and down as needed freely with floor jacks during the rear shock replacement. The jack stands now support the trikes weight from the frame.

Pic's with jack stands in place with and without floor jacks to lift trike to place jack stands in place. Also floor jacks can be used to manipulate swing arm up and down freely a little during the rear shock replacement.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

[GARYD]

Great posts Bill. I like stuff like this to determine if I want to tackle the job myself or let pros do it. I am quite mechanically challenged.....unless I know what I'm doing.

I have the J&S jack also and have a bit of a problem getting it to work correctly. It is next to impossible to get the small section to lift because of the clearance between the frame and the belt. Do you have the same problem? I also had to rotate the exhaust clamp on the right side to get it under the frame.
The first time I used it the cable end for the small section broke and J&S sent me a replacement immediately.

I do have another problem with the small section lift mechanism. I've tried a number of lubes, but it keeps sticking and once it locked and I had to hit it with a hammer and screwdriver to get it back down. The worst part was getting it put back together. That was not fun. You need 3 or 4 hands.

Cleaning the underside is more then anal.

Do you do that with your cars too?

I use to be "ANAL" about cleaning/waxing my vehicles - especially my Vettes because I use to show them, but as I got older, I realized I liked riding/driving them more. Have you ever sat down for an hour+ popping stones and pebbles out of you tire treads.

I'm lucky if I even wash let along wax my bike anymore. I take 3 or 4 long trips a year so I'm almost constantly on the road so it doesn't make sense cleaning it much.

Can't wait to get my shocks installed this spring. Thanks again for your posts.(Yes)

 

[Bill G]

Great posts Bill. I like stuff like this to determine if I want to tackle the job myself or let pros do it. I am quite mechanically challenged.....unless I know what I'm doing.

I have the J&S jack also and have a bit of a problem getting it to work correctly. It is next to impossible to get the small section to lift because of the clearance between the frame and the belt. Do you have the same problem? I also had to rotate the exhaust clamp on the right side to get it under the frame.
The first time I used it the cable end for the small section broke and J&S sent me a replacement immediately.

I do have another problem with the small section lift mechanism. I've tried a number of lubes, but it keeps sticking and once it locked and I had to hit it with a hammer and screwdriver to get it back down. The worst part was getting it put back together. That was not fun. You need 3 or 4 hands.

Cleaning the underside is more then anal.

Do you do that with your cars too?

I use to be "ANAL" about cleaning/waxing my vehicles - especially my Vettes because I use to show them, but as I got older, I realized I liked riding/driving them more. Have you ever sat down for an hour+ popping stones and pebbles out of you tire treads.

I'm lucky if I even wash let along wax my bike anymore. I take 3 or 4 long trips a year so I'm almost constantly on the road so it doesn't make sense cleaning it much.

Can't wait to get my shocks installed this spring. Thanks again for your posts.(Yes)

Lol... Anal is a kind word for what's wrong with me. I am only really this way with my Harley and my Guitars. I do try to take care of over all the rest as best I can.

The J&S jack has to be placed just right and a clamp as you stated needs to be rotated. Try adjusting the bolts just a hair loose on the mechanism so it does not bind up or drag through its operation.That's what I did. My jack when new would hang up a little and that is what I did to solve the issue.

Take Care And Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

[GARYD]

Lol... Anal is a kind word for what's wrong with me. I am only really this way with my Harley and my Guitars. I do try to take care of over all the rest as best I can.

The J&S jack has to be placed just right and a clamp as you stated needs to be rotated. Try adjusting the bolts just a hair loose on the mechanism so it does not bind up or drag through its operation.That's what I did. My jack when new would hang up a little and that is what I did to solve the issue.

Take Care And Ride Safe,
Bill G

Mine is pretty loose-almost too loose. It seems to want to bind. I'll try tightening it a bit.

 

[scuba1954]

Really nice write up on the install, much appreciated! I have a question that either you can help with or maybe Kevin. This is in regards to the lower adjustment on the shocks. It is real easy to see that the Bitubo adjustment has a little lever that extends outward and you just swing it which ever direction you want to adjust. However I can not see how you adjust the pro action shocks. I know there is an adjustment on the lower end maybe someone has a good photo and explanation of how to adjust the bottom. Is there a tool that is needed?

 

[Bill G]

Really nice write up on the install, much appreciated! I have a question that either you can help with or maybe Kevin. This is in regards to the lower adjustment on the shocks. It is real easy to see that the Bitubo adjustment has a little lever that extends outward and you just swing it which ever direction you want to adjust. However I can not see how you adjust the pro action shocks. I know there is an adjustment on the lower end maybe someone has a good photo and explanation of how to adjust the bottom. Is there a tool that is needed?

scuba1954,

In the pic at the bottom of the shock you will see a click adjuster it looks like a flat head screw. That's it, my shocks were set at 5 clicks in from the factory. Very easy to adjust with a short flat tip screwdriver. I ended up for our set up at 2 clicks 3 clicks also worked nicely too. Factory instructions say most find 3 to 6 clicks good for there adjustment point. To fine tune the shock ride adjustments each click in clockwise stiffens the ride a little and each click out counter clockwise softens the ride a little.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

[PosseRider]

Thanks for the pictures & account of your install. I ordered my Pro Action today from Manufacturer in Pa. He spent an hour on the phone explaining his product to me & never rushed me to get off the phone. Hope to have them Fri. or Mon. & will refer (more than once prob) to your post, when I start. Thanks again

 

[scuba1954]

scuba1954,

In the pic at the bottom of the shock you will see a click adjuster it looks like a flat head screw. That's it, my shocks were set at 5 clicks out from the factory. Very easy to adjust with a short flat tip screwdriver. I ended up for our set up at 2 clicks 3 clicks also worked nicely too. Factory instructions say most find 3 to 6 clicks good for there adjustment point. To fine tune the shock ride adjustments each click in clockwise softens the ride a little and each click out counterclockwise firms the ride a little.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

Thanks for the explanation that really helped. Still on the fence about bitubo or pro action. I really love how much beefier the shaft on the pro action is.

 

[scuba1954]

Took an hour trip to Posse Rider's house to see his pro action shocks. Think these are what I will get. He was a little angry because there were no instructions showing which direction the included washers are placed. I looked at these photos and after zooming in it looks like the large flat edge of the washer goes outward while the smaller diameter of the washer fits up against the opening where the bolt goes through. Is this correct?
Thank to Posse Rider for inviting me up today. You really have a nice looking trike. And far as your garage goes I think I'm in love. Wish my garage was this clean, organized and that big. Looks really nice.

 

[Bill G]

Took an hour trip to Posse Rider's house to see his pro action shocks. Think these are what I will get. He was a little angry because there were no instructions showing which direction the included washers are placed. I looked at these photos and after zooming in it looks like the large flat edge of the washer goes outward while the smaller diameter of the washer fits up against the opening where the bolt goes through. Is this correct?
Thank to Posse Rider for inviting me up today. You really have a nice looking trike. And far as your garage goes I think I'm in love. Wish my garage was this clean, organized and that big. Looks really nice.

The spacers go like this.. See Pic..

Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

[PosseRider]

Thanks, Bill. Mike had sent me a video last nite also, showing the spacer. I took the other shock off after he left. Then I quit also. Rolling around on the garage floor did me in.Still sore this morning. Will go back out today & put all back together.

 

[PosseRider]

I must be missing something. Shock wont line up with lift kit. How to compress ? Shock is long

 

[1dn5up]

is the rear raised by the frame or the rear axle ? The rear must hang down. Also you must do both sides at the same time, same as the lift kit install.

 

[PosseRider]

is the rear raised by the frame or the rear axle ? The rear must hang down. Also you must do both sides at the same time, same as the lift kit install.

I have the jack stands like pictured in the posts

 

[PosseRider]

Finally. Thanks to all who responded to help. The pics were very helpful, but one little trick did it. Special thanks to "scuba1954". I was having probs getting lift kit aligned. One member said to do just like I installed the lift kit. Well that was over 6 months ago. Hell, I forgot last week.:Coffee: Anyway "scuba1954" gave me a phone call & that did the trick. Shocks are now on,but I will have to wait till tomorrow to get the wheels back on. Too sore from rollin around on the floor. That's for younger than me.:clapping:. THANKS EVERYONE