Dresser Rear Suspension THUMP!

S

ShaeDee

New member
When riding solo I am very happy with the ride and handling of my 1990 FLHS. I currently have Avon Venom tyres, including 140/90 rear, True-Track Tracula kit and Fournales air shocks. But two-up and fully loaded I have yet to cure bottoming out of the rear end. I have a vested interest in my wife's bottom (that translates as 'butt') to sort this out! Our Corbin saddle is OK, on which we have just completed a 2,500 mile tour.

There are plenty of suggestions on HDF for alternative rear suspension systems, but I would like to hear from riders who have suffered from rear suspension bottoming out - and found a cure!

Added much later:

I am pleased to announce I have found the cure! Read on....
 
My '09 SG bottoms out if the air pressure is low...I bounce off the seat if it's to high...I can't find a happy medium....Tired of that, I have ordered Ohlins shocks from MotorcycleMetal...They should be here on Wednesday.....I'm taking Howards word that they will give me the ride a want....
 
'90 to '09 - so much change, and yet some things change so little!

I have already earmarked Ohlins and Metal's website and will be interested to hear how you get on with yours, especially fully loaded.
 
Well I have my winter project underway, designed to (hopefully) remove that THUMP!

Bike is in pieces as I write, as I work towards installing a 2007 swingarm and wheel, with Avon Venom 150/80 rear tyre, plus a pair of Howard Messner's Ohlins #3 shocks.

The s/a should greatly improve rear wheel control, being far stiffer than my stock 1990 one, helped by the 1" wheel axle. The 150 tyre is MU load rated, like the 140 I have been using, but has a smaller rolling diameter closer to the stock MT.

All this should provide the best possible foundations for Howard's Ohlins and my wife's delicate rear end!

Added much later:

There are two articles I know of that describe replacing an evo swingarm with a later spec. One is an article by Hot Bike magazine and the other an article by Howard Messner of MM, who also publishes a set of instructions (see his website).
 
That's some way off yet! Pics of old and new swingarms together, to show the differences, plus 'new' wheel with 150 Avon Venom fitted, both wheel axles and both callipers. Combined weight of the new parts is about 3 pounds heavier than the old parts.
 
Hey Graham...My wife and i ride the 07 FLHTC with stock shocks in the mountains, interstates and back roads... between the 2 of us we are 500 lbs. 28 lbs or 30 lbs in the shocks and i have never bottomed out. You could problably get stock shock for real cheap couldn't you. I have 40 k miles on the bike and the suspension has performed fawlessly for me and this is the last place i would put any extra money in...My $.02. Good luck. BTW i run a Mustang touring seat and have run a variety of tires two up.
 
You posted while I was away sorting out my photos, which you can now see. Your '07 bike has some advantages over my old '90! You can see the two swingarms, my 'new' one being from an '07. The rectangular tube is 1/4" deeper than the '90 and you can also see the much stronger bracing and thicker axle. Your bike also has a wider tyre than my '90.

So when fitted my bike will have your swingarm, plus a wider tyre and better quality shocks. Should be like riding a feather bed!
 
You might be able to fit one. You need about 3/16" clearance between your current tyre and the belt guard to get in an Avon Venom 150/80 tyre. I believe your later bike has more belt/tyre clearance than my older bike. Worth checking!
 
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