Rear shock adjustment Harley Shocks & Harley Chassis Issues Discuss Rear shock adjustment in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Good morning! Is there any way to adjust the rear shocks on a softail? I bottom out quite a bit whenever there are two on. Size doesn't matter. I've had ...

[1996Fatboy]

Good morning! Is there any way to adjust the rear shocks on a softail? I bottom out quite a bit whenever there are two on. Size doesn't matter. I've had lightweights on and heavyweights and the results are the same. The ride seems ok when going solo. I believe the shocks are the originals which would put them at 11 years old.

[Syntheticoilexpert]

I'm not sure, but the shocks on a 96 shouldn't be too much different than the newer softails, using the required spanner wrench, it fits into the holes in the shocks (under the bike at the swingarm) and turning the wrench will either soften or tighten the shock, I just don't know which direction. If you take it to a Harley dealer, they can probably do it in 10 minutes and charge you 10 bucks, maybe they'll do it for free. I've never adjusted the shocks on my 2 softails, but I need to on my 05 which rides harder than my new 08 custom which rides so much smoother, so that's why I know about the procedure, I need to do it, but I don't have the wrench.

[Bullet]

Hey Syntheticoilexpert (or something like that) I am not sure what HD dealer you go to but "10 min for 10 bucks...hah more like 100 bucks!

[Bullet]

And by the way, what is your opion on Synthetic oil? What brands do you use, what viscosities would you recommend for the standard midwest? And finally, what is the advantage with these type oils..

A bunch...but your the expert!

Please! No more discussions on Oil!