Hey I just got a set of gently used (approx 1000) miles 1200 Sport shocks. the one with the remote resevoir on the back. I know about the spring preload but I have a question about the knob on the remote resevoir. the knob says "comp" with a arrow that has "S" on one end and "H" on the other. Then on the bottom end near the lower shock eye there is dial with the same markings. I know they mean softer or harder I just dont know what to set them at as a basline. The Stealership says that they should not fit my 86. They could not help me with the setting or any paperwork either. But hey they are on and look great. Any advice on this will be much appreciated!
Jason Bizzarro :tour

I have a set of those on my 04 Sporty too. The Comp screw on the top adjusts the compression of the shock (how fast the shock actually compresses when you first hit a bump). The S and H means Soft or Hard as you stated.

The wheel on the bottom adjusts the rebound of the shock (how fast the shock expands back out after it compresses)

I have both the compression and rebound set in the middle. Just make sure you have both sides the same amount of clicks or the suspension can become unstable.

You may have found that these shocks really need to be on the highest spring preload position. The 1200-S that used these shocks weighed about 50 lbs less than your bike. I weigh 180 and I notice the bike sets down quite a bit in the back when I set on it even with the spring preload on max. However, I have NEVER bottomed out the rear suspension with these shocks.

Anyway, these shocks are a 100% improvement over the stock shocks that give such a hard ride over minor bumps. You did good by getting them.

Now, with a set of Progressive fork springs, that bike will really handle well (the stock fork springs cause way too much front end dive when you get hard on the brakes)

Ron,

Turbota,

Your 04 looks sweet! :clap

The only thing I'd change is mounting the front turn signals to either the upper or lower tripple clamp. J&P sells the mounts. One of the first things I did to my 04. I never liked them hanging outboard on the bars. Moved mine to the lower clamp and they look good and are plenty visible to those who bother to look before turning.

Crack the throttle, drag your knee in the turns, and wheelie across the finish line!

I've also noticed that the spring preload needs to be set at the highest position on my Sport shocks. My 205 lbs. uses about a third of the spring but I never bottom out on the bumps and dips. I also keep the compression and rebound adjustments set in the middle. I wish someone with factory adjustment info for these shocks would come on board.

One of the reasons HD dropped the sport shocks, apart from they are dearer to produce, was that it was too complicated for most customers..

Most people know stuff all about suspension set-up.....

The S model rear shock should be set near the middle on both the compression and rebound and adjusted to suit riding style and weight from there...

The 04's are heavier and therefore will require more pre-load than an 03 or earlier..

sag should take up just under a 3rd of your suspension travel.......that's full travel with the wheel off the ground. so say you measure a point from the axle to the rear indicator with the wheel off the ground nd no load on the suspension...

Then with someone holding you up sit on the bike and measure the distance...

You want about a 3rd of the full travel, so if ya got 6" of travel then ya want 2" of sag


Having said that the "factory" starting position is 8 clicks from full hard for compression and 6 clicks from full hard for rebound....

Having said that the "factory" starting position is 8 clicks from full hard for compression and 6 clicks from full hard for rebound....

Stevo .... This is the first time anyone has ever posted what the 1200-S Owner's Manual actually says as far as initial shock settings. Myself and others have asked this before, but never got an answer out of the 'Sport' Owner's Manual.

Thanks .... :)

I checked mine the other day and checked the manual as a customer was looking at a spare set I have...

Mine were 6 clicks from hard on compression and I used to go up 2 on that up the mountain

Rebound was in the middle as well at 6 clicks

One of the reasons HD dropped the sport shocks, apart from they are dearer to produce, was that it was too complicated for most customers..
Mayhaps I'll stop looking for a set of 13 1/2" 1200s shocks and stick with progressives?

C'mon WIll

Surely ya not gonna put yaself in "too complicated for" are ya????

Turbota,

Your 04 looks sweet!

The only thing I'd change is mounting the front turn signals to either the upper or lower tripple clamp. J&P sells the mounts. One of the first things I did to my 04. I never liked them hanging outboard on the bars. Moved mine to the lower clamp and they look good and are plenty visible to those who bother to look before turning.

DLM .... Thanks .... I think you right. Having the turn signals, along with everything else attached on the handlebars is just too much stuff up there.

Speaking of handlebars .... I may put a set of those black 1200-S bars on the bike. Trying to get rid of a little bit of the chrome.

Your a good man, Stevo!!! I'm going to copy this thread for future reference and stick it in my service manual. Thanks!!!

Hey guys thanks for the info I set all the knobs to the center positon like you said and the spring preload to the second setting. Now I just need a nice day to try them out and fine tune them and the the front end! :tour

Stevo .... This is the first time anyone has ever posted what the 1200-S Owner's Manual actually says as far as initial shock settings. Myself and others have asked this before, but never got an answer out of the 'Sport' Owner's Manual.

Thanks .... :)

I have posted the factory settings for the front forks and usually got no replies or babble telling me those settings suck, I completely forgot to post the settings for the rear shocks, it was me you were asking them from, sorry for the delay, here are the factory settings for the 1200S rear shocks and front forks...

rear shock compression...position 3
rear shock rebound...set at midpoint
rear shock preload...position 3

*note...rotate adjusters to full clockwise (hardest/position 1), then back off to desired setting.

The front settings are still as follows for anyone listening.

fork rebound...position 8
fork compression...position 3
fork preload...set at midpoint

wickedsprint ....

Sorry I missed your post that included the rear shock settings. I remember one post in which you stated you were moving and the 1200-S owners manual was in one of the boxes, and you would post the settings as soon as you found what box the manual was in.

Unless my memory is failing do to old age (which it may be), I don't think I ever saw where you posted it .... hey, maybe I forgot?

Ron,

EDIT: hey, I see you just posted the info .... thank's!

Ron,
No, you are correct, as I stated above I said I forgot to post the rear settings, that was my bust. -Tony