Wide Glide Shock Preload Harley Shocks & Harley Chassis Issues Discuss Wide Glide Shock Preload in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Does anyone have any advice on setting the pre-load? I think I understand what it does, but am curious about which settings people typically use. I looked in the owners ...

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Does anyone have any advice on setting the pre-load?

I think I understand what it does, but am curious about which settings people typically use. I looked in the owners manual and didn't see anything.

I bought the adjustment tool and dropped it from the 3 setting to 2 and it rides much smoother. If I go to two up, should I set it back to 3?

You want about 3/4-1 inch of sag with you sitting on the bike. That's the amount of travel the bike moves when you sit down and when there is no weight on the saddle. I like it a little stiffer so I go with 5/8-3/4 inch of sag. It's what ever feels best to you with out bottoming out all the time. Have some one measure a point on the bike, top of rear fender, with no weight, then sit down and check how much that point travels down. Some bikes like 1/3 of the total travel, but that seems mushy to me, so what ever works for you and your style.