Another Free Video By Bikers For Bikers!
VIDEO & BLOG-In this tutorial video I show you how to adjust your manual rear suspension on your Harley Davidson touring model. I am using a 2014 Harley Davidson Street Glide Special in this video, but the manual suspension has been used on other models. Additionally, in the video and this blog I provide you with a recommended Preload Settings chart.
I had a 2011 Harley Street Glide prior to purchasing my 2014 Harley Davidson Street Glide Special which had adjustable air type rear suspension. I must say that my Street Glide Special rides much smoother with this new manual adjust type rear suspension. I prefer the ease of the manual suspension preload adjustment knob system on my Street Glide Special much better. I don't have to carry around a small air pump to adjust my rear suspension when I am out and about and changing my load weight like I did with my 2011 Street Glide. Now I just turn the knob and I am on my way.
If you have adjustable air type rear suspension on your Harley Davidson then we have a free video for that too:
Video-Adjust the rear air suspension on you Harley
The manual suspension preload adjustment knob is under the left saddle bag. You only need to adjust this knob to adjust the entire rear suspension system on the Street Glide Special. There is no knob under the right saddle bag.
Here are some simple instructions:
- Remove the left saddlebag.
- Rotate the preload adjustment knob counterclockwise until it stops. The stopped position is the minimum preload.
- Rotate the preload adjustment knob clockwise the recommended number of turns (see table below) to increase the preload for the total weight of the rider, passenger, and cargo. The knob clicks at each half turn.
- Install the left saddlebag.
RECOMMENDED PRELOAD SETTINGS CHART:
| # OF TURNS | …………LOAD | # OF TURNS | ……LOAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LESS THAN 220 lbs (100 kg) | 10 | 310 lb (141 kg) |
| 2 | 220 lb (100 kg) | 11 | 320 lb (145 kg) |
| 3 | 240 lb (109 kg) | 12 | 330 lb (150 kg) |
| 4 | 250 lb (113 kg) | 13 | 340 lb (154 kg) |
| 5 | 260 lb (118 kg) | 14 | 350 lb (159 kg) |
| 6 | 270 lb (122 kg) | 15 | 360 lb (163 kg) |
| 7 | 280 lb (127 kg) | 16 | 370 lb (168 kg) |
| 8 | 290 lb (132 kg) | 17 | 380 lb (172 kg) |
| 9 | 300 lb (136 kg) | 18 | 390 lb (177 kg) |
| ——- | —————- | 19 | 400 lb (181 kg) |
**Load includes the total weight of the rider, passenger, riding gear, accessories and cargo**
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So if I am understanding correctly. I weight 186 my girl when she rides weights 167 for a total of 353. So does that mean I should be turing the preload adjustment 14-15 times when she rides? And should I turn it back down to 1 when she is not riding? Thanks Or what would you suggest as a happy medium so I don’t have to keep adjusting?
Try setting it near the middle. Take some short rides with her on and off the bike and see if you like the performance. That would be my suggestion.
Thank you, I will try that.
I just moved from a Road King to a 2016 Street Glide Special and find the ride extremely rough in comparison. Total weight carried is 280. What would you recommend setting the suspension to? Is there a better shock out there than stock that would give me a smoother ride?
They ride great Laurie. Here is a free video we did on how to adjust the suspension on your bike along with a table with recommended settings for specific weights. Enjoy! Don’t forget, that anytime you have a question just type it in the big search bar in the upper right-hand corner of our website. You’ll likely come up with an answer or video quickly if we have covered it. Here is the link for your suspension question. https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/2014sgssuspension
I have a question you state each click is a half turn but the instructions with my 16 is each click is a full turn, how did you determine it was a half turn per click?
They have changed that from year to year, so check you owner’s manual to be sure David. Rid safe
I am 6’6″ and 410. What is the maximum allowable weight that can be used on the 2016 street glide special? Would I just set it to max all the time?
Don’t know off the top of my head Richard. There is a table in you Owner’s manual that will tell you where to set it based on your weight. Ride Safe.
2017 ultra limited 2 up camping with average (#200 each in leathers, chaps and booths) plus gear sure leaves the front end light. Rain and corners sure creates a little difficulty. Almost set at full suspension tight. Any suggestions for more performance on shocks would be great. These are built for this, however, the load does seem to outweigh the front end.
Dan,
No suggestion other than to follow the preset guideline. I have the same experience when the ol’ lady is riding with me. I have to take it easier with her on the back.
~Lurch
I am 6’1″ and weigh 235, my wife is 5’10” and weighs 215, our weight combined with our luggage is tough on our shocks. What do you suggest I put on the rear suspension to help out.
https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/progressive-900-shocks/
if i want to soften the ride from my settings bit which way should i go lower or higher preload. I am assuming more preload stiffens ride quality while less pre load softens ride quality
Kevin,
Lower the preload to soften the ride and increase the preload to stiffen the ride.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping as many bikers as we can worldwide!
I just replaced my Air shocks off of my 2009 Road King Classic with these Dial in Shocks. I weight 195 lbs and I see I should set them on 0 setting. In your opinion is this shock better than the air shocks which came on the 09 road king? I feel they might be stiffer than what I am used to.
Ronnie,
We agree that they definitely feel stiffer, but that is a good thing. The air shocks can be way to soft and allow for bottoming out. You’ll get used to them in time.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping & connecting as many bikers as we can worldwide!
Hi. I’m a 130 lb female and ride a 2014 SGS. My shocks are all the way out at zero and my bike still rides rough. I call it riding like a log wagon. I have been looking at actually downgrading to the OEM air shocks. Before I do this is there anyway to rebuild these shocks or something? They won’t give really any bounce compression/rebound even when off the bike and applying force to the passenger pilon. My ole man has even tried and he significantly out weighs me. I know we found a video on rebuilding the air shocks so was wondering about these. Thanks
Renee,
I’m sure you could rebuild the shocks We never have though. Have you looked at Progressive shocks? You might give them a call. A set of the 412 shocks with a standard sprig rate might help you out.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
I just bought a 2017 Road King and have no idea how to adjust the shocks. I have the tool but don’t where to put it to use it and there is nothing in the manual that I have. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Have 2014 street glide special shock adjuster turned ou to nothing on load still ride like a steel wheel wagan and I weigh 230 lbs Whorst bike I ever rode and has been since new I thought it would where in not a chance hatie this bik big time for the ride any idease
Jim,
Check out our content on Progressive shocks: https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/?s=progressive+shocks
Legend shocks are excellent too. We just haven’t had the opportunity to install and test on one of our bikes yet.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!