When you ride your Harley-Davidson motorbike with or without load, is it comfy enough? Does it bump too much that sometimes you fear? A well-tuned suspension system can make a significant difference in the comfort and control of your HD bike. But the question is how to properly adjust the suspension shocks on HD.
This is why, today we created a complete guide with the Harley Davidson shock adjustment chart for you to follow when you decide to tune your motorbike. Keep reading to find out more!
Following the Harley Davidson Shock Adjustment Chart
The preload shock adjustment chart provides recommended settings for rider weight, road conditions, and riding style. The chart is divided into three sections: solo riding, two-up riding, and touring. Each section has a different recommended setting for the preload based on the weight of the rider and passenger and the road conditions.
To adjust the shock absorber, you may have to do some initial tasks.
Now, check the chart-
| Rider Weight | Extra Weight with Tour-Pak | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| lb | 0 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 72 | 80 | 88 | 96 | 104 | 112 | 120 | 128 | 136 | 144 | 152 | 160 | ||
| kg | 0 | 3.6 | 7.3 | 10.9 | 14.5 | 18.1 | 21.8 | 25.4 | 29.0 | 32.7 | 36.3 | 39.9 | 43.5 | 47.2 | 50.8 | 54.4 | 58.1 | 61.7 | 65.3 | 68.9 | 72.6 | ||
| Lb | kg | Full Turns Of Knob | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 150 | 68 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | ||
| 160 | 72.6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | |||
| 170 | 77.1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | ||||
| 180 | 81.6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | |||||
| 190 | 86.2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | ||||||
| 210 | 95.3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | |||||||
| 220 | 99.8 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | ||||||||
| 230 | 104.3 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | |||||||||
| 240 | 108.9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | ||||||||||
| 250 | 113.4 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | |||||||||||
| 260 | 117.9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | High | ||||||||||||
| Rider Weight | Additional Weight of Passenger, Cargo, and Accessories Without Tour-Pak | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| lb | 0 | 8 | 16 | 24 | 32 | 40 | 48 | 56 | 64 | 72 | 80 | 88 | 96 | 104 | 112 | 120 | 128 | 136 | 144 | 152 | 160 | ||
| kg | 0 | 3.6 | 7.3 | 10.9 | 14.5 | 18.1 | 21.8 | 25.4 | 29.0 | 32.7 | 36.3 | 39.9 | 43.5 | 47.2 | 50.8 | 54.4 | 58.1 | 61.7 | 65.3 | 68.9 | 72.6 | ||
| lb | kg | Full Turns of Knob | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 150 | 68 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | |
| 160 | 72.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
| 170 | 77.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
| 180 | 81.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |
| 190 | 86.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | |
| 210 | 95.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | |
| 220 | 99.8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | ||
| 230 | 104.3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | |||
| 240 | 108.9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | ||||
| 250 | 113.4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | |||||
| 260 | 117.9 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | ||||||
You may need to preload the fork adjustment as with the rear adjustment. For front fork preload adjustment, turn the preload adjuster counterclockwise with the 5 mm hex key until it stops. This is the bare minimum of preload. Then, clockwise, turn the preload adjuster to the suggested amount for the rider weight.
| Rider Weight | Fork Preload (Increase with Clockwise Turns) |
| <75 Kg (165 Lb) | 0-4 Turns In |
| 75–89 Kg (165–195 Lb) | 4-6 Turns In |
| 89–102 Kg (195–225 Lb) | 6-8 Turns In |
| 102–116 Kg (225–255 Lb) | 8-10 Turns In |
| >116 Kg (255 Lb) | >10 Turns |
Following the Compression and Rebound Adjustment Chart
The suspension system on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is made up of two main components: the compression shock and the rebound shock.
When using the adjustment chart, it is important to remember that the recommended settings are just a starting point. You may need to make further adjustments based on your individual preferences and the conditions of the roads you are riding on.
To adjust the compression and rebound shocks on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle, you will need to locate the adjustment knobs or screws.
These can typically be found on the top and bottom of the shocks, near the point where they attach to the motorcycle frame. Once you have located the adjustment knobs or screws, you can begin to make adjustments.
When adjusting the compression shock, it is important to remember that a softer setting will provide a more comfortable ride but may result in less stability on rough roads. On the other hand, a stiffer setting will provide more stability but may result in a harsher ride.
Likewise, while adjusting the rebound shock, it is important to remember that a softer setting will cause the suspension to return to its original position more slowly, which can result in a bouncy ride.
On the other hand, a stiffer setting will cause the suspension to return to its original position more quickly, which can result in a more stable ride.
| Fork Damping | Nominal (Counter Clockwise Turns From Maximum) |
| Rebound (Reb) | 3 Turns |
| Compression (Com) | 5 Turns |
| Rear Damping | Nominal (Counter Clockwise Turns From Maximum) |
| Compression (Com) | 7 Clicks |
| Rebound (Reb) | 5 Clicks |
It is important to note that adjusting the compression and rebound shocks on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle should always be done in small increments. This will allow you to gradually fine-tune the settings to find the perfect balance between comfort and stability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you adjust a Harley-Davidson shock?
To adjust the shock on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, you will need to locate the adjustment knob or lever on the shock itself or the bike’s frame.
Depending on the specific model of the bike and shock, this may be located in different places. It is recommended to refer to the owner’s manual for specific instructions and guidelines for adjusting the shock.
How much air should I have in my Harley-Davidson shocks?
The air pressure in the shocks of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle can vary depending on the specific model and the rider’s weight.
It is recommended to start with the air pressure specified in your bike’s manual and check the air pressure when the bike is unloaded, and the shocks are cold.
Also, check the air pressure regularly and adjust it as necessary to maintain the best handling and comfort.
What are 3-way adjustable shocks?
Adjustable shocks are a form of motorcycle suspension that allows the user to change the damping settings of the shock in three separate ways.
This lets the user fine-tune the suspension to their riding style and conditions, improving handling and comfort. Three-way adjustable shocks include rebound damping, compression damping, and preload damping.
Conclusion
Adjusting the shocks on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is an important aspect of maintaining the performance and comfort of the bike. The shocks on a motorcycle play a crucial role in providing a smooth ride, absorbing the bumps and vibrations that would otherwise be transmitted to the rider.
Hopefully, with this Harley Davidson shock adjustment chart and adjusting the shocks accordingly, you can fine-tune the suspension to your preference and the conditions of the road, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
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