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Harley Davidson shocks as replacement

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tenshots1
  • Start date Start date
T

Tenshots1

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As anyone tried installing some used Harley Davidson 13" shocks in order to replace their old worn out GS shocks? I surprisingly haven't found much info about it, but figured this would be a popular upgrade since some slightly used harley shocks can usually be found for $50 or so. If you don't recommend this change, why not? If you have harley shocks installed, how do they ride? Thanks guys.
 
I do not have any specific knowledge on stock Harley shocks but i think there is a reason that they are inexpensive and plentiful.
Harley owners swap them out pronto.
 
Well I have seen that at least some HD shocks are made by FOX, which are known to be great shocks for cars, and I figure are probably good for motorcycles as well. I assumed that they are cheap and plentiful because people love to customize their harley, especially with the lower 11" shocks.
 
I think they would probably be better than the decades-old stock shocks, but not as good as the midrange (price-wise) aftermarket options. Harleys are heavy bikes (with heavy riders ;) ) so I'd expect them to be rather firm on most GSes.
 
Thats why I like the thought of them. I weight 300lbs and my wife also likes to hope on the back of my GS550E from time to time. We definitely need something stiffer that wont break the bank.
 
In that case, try them and tell us what they're like.
Why would Harley guys take them out, too stiff or too soft?
 
I wouldn't put Harley anything on my GS. Heck, I was a little upset when my NGK B8ES's came in a Honda package! :)
 
I remember reading on a Yamaha XJ site how guys would use Sportster shocks on their Maxims to lower the rear without bottoming out. Pretty sure "performance upgrades" weren't part of the equation, but I guess if you had an L and wanted a pair of shorter shocks that could handle the weight then the same conversion would probably work out OK.

And like you say, they're cheap.
 
tkent02 said:
Are they eye to eye?
Click to expand...

Sporty shocks are all eye to eye

017_2_640x480_.jpg
 
Tenshots1 said:
I weight 300lbs and my wife also likes to hope on the back of my GS550E from time to time.
Click to expand...

If your wife is large enough to cast a shadow, there certainly can't be much room for her on that bike. :oops:

If the Harley shocks don't work or don't fit, the MDI (cheapos) might be OK for you.

.
 
I think it's your scientific duty to try 'em out! :cool:

I have a faint memory of someone who tried this a while back and was disappointed, but honestly, it hasn't come up much. Maybe it's time for a report "from the field".
 
I did this to replace the worn out air shocks on my KZ750 spectre. The harley air shocks are made by Showa, same company that made the originals for the KZ. Pretty easy to install, press out the old shock bushings and press in some new Kawasaki ones. The airlines are easy to install and they come with a schrader valve so adjustment is easy. Vast improvement over the old worn out Kawasaki shocks.
 
almarconi said:
I did this to replace the worn out air shocks on my KZ750 spectre. The harley air shocks are made by Showa, same company that made the originals for the KZ. Pretty easy to install, press out the old shock bushings and press in some new Kawasaki ones. The airlines are easy to install and they come with a schrader valve so adjustment is easy. Vast improvement over the old worn out Kawasaki shocks.
Click to expand...


This sounds promising. I think I will begin looking closely at ebay for a set and, of course, will come back with my results if I have them.
 
Tenshots1 said:
This sounds promising. I think I will begin looking closely at ebay for a set and, of course, will come back with my results if I have them.
Click to expand...

I bought a used set in new condition off ebay a few years ago for my '80 1000G. Inexpensive at around $50 shipped because they get swapped out by the HD crowd for aftermarket stuff. They were 13" eye to eye which is a tad bit longer than the original GS's stock shocks. The eye is slightly wider too than stock GS shocks which meant I needed a single thinner outer washer to still have enough threads on the shock stud to safely secure. I also had to take a dremmel and cut the swing arm tang stop off to allow proper travel. After all that I was happy with the ride and the additional clearance that kept the exhaust from scraping in hard cornering BUT...they only lasted about 500 miles when one side blew a seal and leaked all over the place. I threw them out and went back to the originals. I wouldn't go through that again and would spring (no pun intended) for $200 Progressives instead. I figured the HD, which was NOT a Sportster, they came off was at least 100lbs heavier than my GS1000G and would hold up but they didn't.

Note: In fairness I ride in the cold year round and when frost heaves are at their worst in early spring which is brutal for the rear suspension but still was disappointed with the HD stuff. That's why I have a vStrom now.
 
Last edited:
Buffalo Bill said:
And were those HD shocks made in Milwaukee?
Click to expand...

Don't know. Maybe made by little green people from another planet. These days with components sourced everywhere it's hard to blame any one country for poor quality or rely on the US as a mark of good quality. Things made in China may be toxic, India may be cheap and some third world countries use slave labor and children. The best we can do is read reviews on line, do a little research, check the forum and then make your own decision....probably more often than not it comes down to price?
 
I found some Sportster shock on CL that the woman had swaped for lower shocks when the bike was new. I put them on my 650E and think they are great. I had to swap the bushings but otherwise they bolted on.
They are taller so the back of the bike is higher reducing the trail so the handling is improved, and they aren't worn out like the original ones. I am sure a good pair of Works or Ohlins would be a bigger improvement but you cant beat the price.
 
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