Rear shock swap

[Sugarbear]

I hate my stock air ride - I want to swap out the shocks for coil overs - Given the length is right at 13" on the Air shocks my question is what standard shocks will fit ? We have a swap meet coming up and was thinking maybe something from a Ultra classic or Electra Glide would work - Has anyone looked into possible substitutions ? - Spending $350- $500 on brand new shocks just isn't an option on my budget

 

[MDO]

I hate my stock air ride - I want to swap out the shocks for coil overs - Given the length is right at 13" on the Air shocks my question is what standard shocks will fit ? We have a swap meet coming up and was thinking maybe something from a Ultra classic or Electra Glide would work - Has anyone looked into possible substitutions ? - Spending $350- $500 on brand new shocks just isn't an option on my budget

Do you have a manual pump to adjust the OEM air shocks? I found on my FW that adjusting the shock air pressure to the 20-25psi range in combination with adjusting the rear tires pressure to 24psi, greatly improved my ride.

You need 1 of these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hand-Air-P...itm=222479570216&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

 

[Saammi]

Yup

 

[Sugarbear]

Options

I have a nice pair of Dyna Glide coil overs that measure about 12 1/4 Eye to eye - My thoughts was to use those with a 1 or 1 1/2 inch lift kit - The math looks right , But I'm not sure the springs will be strong enough for the extra weight - Thus the question.

I have tried running 26/28 tire pressure and around 25/35 psi shock pressure riding two up - It still rides like an old pickup truck with helper springs on rough streets around town

 

[RKplus10]

I don't know about the shocks but, do the lift kit and drop rear tires to about 22psi. We set shocks at about 20psi and they work well for us. Maybe 270 pounds for me and wife.

 

[rodekyll]

If you're trying to solve the problem with coilovers, you might want to weigh the rear load and get springs matched to the weight rather than just finding a random replacement by length. When I decided that my suspension sucked I used relatively cheap progressive 412 shocks with springs matched to the actual load. Those and new sway bar bushings transformed the ride and handling. The spring specs are on their website. I expect that the better stuff advertised on this website would perform even better.

$0.02

 

[Sugarbear]

Shocks

Like I said - $400-$700 bucks for shocks just isn't in my budget - So, the question is what shocks will fit a Freewheeler ? Like a 13" replacement for an Ultra or Electra full bagger " - Something like the Drag Specialties 1310-1313 or what ? I have tried 24 psi tire pressure an every possible setting on the air ride already.

My Freewheeler has a 1.5 inch lift kit already - But with a travel weight of 500 lbs the air ride will beat you to death even at 20 lbs ... I want something soft an smooth since 90% of the time we are on nice streets an Highways - But, I don't want to break the bank for expensive fancy shocks to do it - As long as it will hold the weight and handle the medium bumps

 

[MDO]

Good luck!

 

[1dn5up]

Like I said - $400-$700 bucks for shocks just isn't in my budget - So, the question is what shocks will fit a Freewheeler ? Like a 13" replacement for an Ultra or Electra full bagger " - Something like the Drag Specialties 1310-1313 or what ? I have tried 24 psi tire pressure an every possible setting on the air ride already.

My Freewheeler has a 1.5 inch lift kit already - But with a travel weight of 500 lbs the air ride will beat you to death even at 20 lbs ... I want something soft an smooth since 90% of the time we are on nice streets an Highways - But, I don't want to break the bank for expensive fancy shocks to do it - As long as it will hold the weight and handle the medium bumps

By the time your satisfied , if your satisfied trying this and that , put the this n that money aside and save up to do it once :Shrug: Bobs dad told me that

 

[Sugarbear]

shock Issue Update

After a long chat with a known manufacture - Yes a I could use a Heavy duty shock for an Ultra Classic or similar bagger - But , the spring rate would be softer than what is used on an actual trike shock - Also the added rate needs a specially designed dampening system to control the extra weight - So, long story short - Save up your money and buy the correct shock the first time

 

[MDO]

After a long chat with a known manufacture - Yes a I could use a Heavy duty shock for an Ultra Classic or similar bagger - But , the spring rate would be softer than what is used on an actual trike shock - Also the added rate needs a specially designed dampening system to control the extra weight - So, long story short - Save up your money and buy the correct shock the first time

I think a wise decision, as many have stated.

If you could get cheap shocks that gave a great & soft ride, know one would sell expensive shocks.

 

[Sugarbear]

Shocks

Well - We had a motorcycle swap meet over in Tulsa today - One of the vendors had a nice pair of 12-1/2" Heavy duty shocks that came off his Dyna Glide before he lowered it - The price was too cheap to pass up - So, I came home and installed them under my Freewheeler ( They are the same same length as my Air Shocks that I took off ) - So, Once installed I had the exact same ride height *( Cool ) - So, we took it out for a 2 up test ride on some of the nastiest street in town - The ride was amazing - Best money I ever spent

*My Trike already had a 1-1/2" lift kit

 

[Mcmister]

F/W ride

Interesting info, thanks... My 2016 FW rides like a buckboard on a bumpy road... I have replaced the front and rear shocks with the best my dealer had to offer.... almost no improvement.

The one thing I most dislike about my FW is the ride... yes, I know it's a trike m/c and not a Caddy, but the bumps are ridiculous...

Oh well.... it is, what it is.

 

[Sugarbear]

SHOCKS

Well - I put the 1-1/2 inch lift kit on and tried 24/24 tire pressure with 10-20 psi in the air ride and it rode ok on the highway until you hit a medium bump - Then it dang near bounced us off the seat - These Dyna Glide shocks have the typical 5 position adjuster on the bottom an it rode better than the air ride even though I did the original ride test at maximum pre load setting riding 2 up - They are now set to level 3 ... Between the two of us and some assorted gear in the trunk ,bolt on extras an etc ... we are real close to the maximum ride weight

Mama's now happy , That's all that matters