Geezer ENGINEERING Shocks for Harley Touring Instruction Manual
- June 9, 2024
- Geezer ENGINEERING
Table of Contents
Geezer ENGINEERING Shocks for Harley Touring
Thank you for purchasing GeezerEngineering Nitrogen Shocks!
A lot of development time and testing went into this product. Our goal was to
make it a complete kit and to make it fit like an OEM product – and upgrade
your motorcycle to today’s level of motorcycle performance and beyond. Top
quality is another important goal, so we used highest quality materials only.
This contributes to making your ride safe and comfortable. We are confident
you will be able to feel it on your first rides! Your new shocks come with
spanner tools for preload adjustments and 4 shims. Model-specific reservoir
mounts can be purchased separately.
Warning: The installation of this product requires the skills of
qualified motorcycle technicians and should only be performed by qualified,
professional workshops equipped with access to all OEM service manuals and all
required tools. Please always refer to the correct OEM service manual for the
motorcycle model and year being worked on to ensure correct procedures are
used for disassembly and reassembly.
GeezerEngineering instructions are intended to be used in conjunction with OEM
service manuals for your model year motorcycle.
IMPORTANT
A couple of things to consider….
It is important to keep your motorcycle level when changing suspension
components. Raising just the front or just the rear or raising at different
rates changes angles – think of wheel axles as a pivot points. For example:
raising just the front end using longer fork legs will increase the front end
angle, or rake. This will change trail, which could negatively affect handling
characteristics. So, if you want more ground clearance to gain better lean
angles make sure to raise both ends by the same amounts.
Front and rear suspension are obviously independent components, but they work
as one system. Adjustments can be time consuming but worth the effort. We
think it helps to make adjustments in small steps and on just one setting at a
time. It’s all about finding the optimal setting for YOUR riding style and
preferences. Setting up your new shocks using these instructions is like
setting a baseline – preferences and riding styles vary widely. Based on the
initial settings you can fine-tune your suspension to match your preference.
INSTALLATION
- Removal of your old shocks
- a. Secure your bike on a scissor lift that’s strong enough for your bike’s weight
- b. Support your rear wheel with a second lift or blocks so its weight is supported.
- c. Remove your old shocks according to your OEM service manual.
- Installation of GeezerEngineering shocks
- a. Have a friend hold or wrap the reservoirs to avoid damage during installation.
- b. Install the shocks onto the mounting points according to your OEM service manual.
- c. Install reservoir mounts:
- 2009-up models – exposed installation:
- 2014-up models – hidden installation:
- 2008-earlier models – exposed installation (requires custom turn signals):
- Preload
- a. Determine unloaded length of the installed shock with the rear wheel off the ground. Measure the distance of center lower shock bolt to center upper shock bolt.
- b. Put the bike back on the ground. With the help of at least 2 persons sit on the bike (upright) with your feet on the floorboards and hands on the handlebars. Measure center on center distance of the shock bolts again.
- c. The second measurement should be 1” shorter than the unloaded length. Using the spanners loosen the lock nut and adjust the preload nut to the correct length. Turning counter-clockwise (looking from the top of the shock) decreases preload and clockwise increases preload. This length works as a preload baseline. Less than 1” makes the ride stiffer – more than 1” makes it softer.
- d. Check all bolts and other parts for correct installation and do a test ride. If the ride is too stiff or too soft adjust preload first and test ride again.
- Compression dampening
- a. Once preload is set properly turn the compression dampening counter-clockwise to zero. Then turn 5 clicks as a starting point. Adjust up or down for your preferred setting.
Disclaimer
GeezerEngineering products, part numbers, product packaging and corresponding printed matter are not intended to imply that any of these parts are Harley- Davidson® original equipment or endorsed by Harley-Davidson® Inc. The words, Enforcer, Rushmore, Buddy Seat, Disc Glide, Dyna Glide®, Electra Glide®, Evolution®, Fat Boy®, HD®, H-D®, Harley®, Harley-Davidson® Heritage® Softail®, Heritage® Springer®, Hugger®, Low Rider, Night Train®, Road Glide®, Road King®, Roadster®, Softail®, Softail® Deuce™, Sport Glide®, Sportster®, Springer®, Sturgis®, Super Glide®, Tour-Pak, Tour Glide®, Ultra Classic™ and Wide Glide® are registered trademarks of Harley-Davidson®, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A. The words, Bad Boy®, Duo Glide®, Hydra Glide®, V-Fire III and VROD™ are trademarks of Harley-Davidson®, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
The following model designations for Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are used on this website for reference only: EL, FL, FLH, FLHR, FLHRCI, FLHS, FLHT, FLHTC, FLHTC Ultra Classic, FLHTC-I, FLHTCUI, FLHX, FLST, FLSTC, FLSTF, FLSTN, FLSTS, FLSTSC/I, FLT, FLTC, FLTC Ultra Classic, FLTCU, FLTR, FLTRI, FLTRSEI, FX, FXB, FXD, FXDB, FXDC, FXDG, FXDL, FXDS-CON, FXDWG, FXDX, FXDXT, FXE, FXEF, FXLR, FXR, FXRC, FXRD, FXRDG, FXRP, FXRS, FXRS-CON, FXRSE, FXRS-SP, FXRT, FXS, FXSB, FXST, FXSTB, FXSTC, FXSTD, FXSTD-I, FXSTS, FXSTSB, FXWG, GE, K, KH, VROD™, VRSCA, VRSCB, WL, WLA, XL, XL1100, XL1200, XL1200C, XL1200R, XL1200S, XL883, XL883C, XL883R, XLCH, XLCR, XLH, XLH1100, XLH1200, XLH1200, XLH1200S, XLH883, XLR, XLS, XLS, XLT, XLX, XLX, XR1000 and their connection to Harley-Davidson® factory part numbers, as well as any printed matter, are not intended to imply that any of these parts are Harley-Davidson® original equipment. Although the quality of most of the items listed here equals or exceeds OEM specifications, none of these items are manufactured by Harley-Davidson® Motor Company.
All parts listed on the GeezerEngineering.com website are either designed by GeezerEngineering or from independent aftermarket sources. All GeezerEngineering products are aftermarket products and are not necessarily endorsed or recommended by any other manufacturer. None of GeezerEngineering branded parts illustrated were manufactured by the original equipment manufacturer of the motorcycles they are intended for or under their supervision or control.
All other brand names or trademarks or registered trademarks used in any GeezerEngineering publication are the property of their respective holders and are used for reference purposes only. GeezerEngineering is in no way, shape or form associated with Harley-Davidson® Motor Company – neither stated nor implied. Any products with a trademark, name, word, O.E.M. number used on our web site, digital documents, printed media and videos by GeezerEngineering is strictly intended to be used solely as a reference only to usage to that particular part. All GeezerEngineering parts are designed to comply with or exceed D.O.T. standards. None of the parts and accessories are D.O.T. approved unless noted otherwise. We have total confidence in our product quality. We strongly suggest test fitting all parts prior to any modifications or painting. All parts for off-road use only unless otherwise noted.
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