I was reading that post about the shotgun shocks, and someone mentioned scraping around corners, if set too low.

Well, ever since I got my springer softail, it's always scraped around corners. One side it's the muffler clamps, the other side it's the primary chain case slowly getting eaten away. Actually, the primary side surprised me recently, I hadn't realised how much it's got scraped, so I try to be careful.

It's stock height and stock shocks, and you don't have to lean it over much to scrape it, especially  in bumpy corners, doesn't everyone have this problem?

And how come there's no accessories or guards to fit to take the brunt of the scraping, or is there? Are better shocks gonna make much difference?

 

my fxstc used to scrap the primary, scared the shit out of myself the first time it happend. i didnt even turn that hard into it.

Colstah what year model is it ?
At stock height it shouldnt be scraping,
Unless your a young fella and still riding it
like a jap bike......
You sure the shocks arent fucked ?

Wayne - It's a 94 Springer Softail. It's always been easy to scrape, I assume the shocks are good, been the same since I bought it new. I used to be a young fella once, but that's so long ago I can't remember much of it (could be the drugs!) and although I can't help pushing it, I don't ride it like a rice burner. There's a lot of nice twisty roads around here though, it's hard to resist.

Since I wrote the first post, inspired by another post, I'm thinking more about it, and although I don't think it's always the case, it's probably worst in big sweepers that undulate and cause my suspension to compress, so maybe I've answered my own problem.

I know stock shocks are pretty ordinary, but I've only really thought about the value of replacing them in terms of stopping the wallowing, or helping when two up. I'm thinking I should really get some progressives for other reasons....i.e. saving my primary case...

18 years out of a pair of stock shocks ???
She is a bit older than I thought you dont see stock Evo's
around any more....
You sit on a stock TC and your up on your toes,
sit on an old girl and it feels like your sitting on the ground.

She's done a little over 26,000 km's, so she's no 'old girl' if you please! A few reasons why there's low miles...it is what it is.

Colstah a 94 springer softail is definitley an old girl ...............and not only one of the most beautiful old girls  but one of the best. Be proud.

this is interesting, you guys that have scraped the primary were you two up? and are you blokes of heavy stature? Josh i know u so u don't have to answer that. never had this happen!

Too true Burnzi, one of the best looking Pensioners you will ever see....
How about a pic Colstah, what colour is she ?

Hi all...Its normal for softails to drag there guts on the ground around corners.Primary,chasis, footrests,pipes.Get used to it.LOL.

Thanks for the kind words about my Springer. Even if I could afford to, I'd still never get rid of her.

 

Here's one of the primary case damage, kinda hard to see 'cos of the reflections, but there are two areas that show damage. I try to remember to keep my feet lower on the pegs and that way my heels brush the road just before the bike contacts it....but it can give you a bit of a jolt till you get used to it...

Colstah replace that allen head bolt with a longer one and put a nut on it to tighten the primary the rest of the bolt can ground and give ya a warning.....and produce a nice set of fireworks for those behind ya. Ask me how I know

Man that is a beautiful motorcycle.

Hmm....not a bad idea Burnzi!

I'm assuming you've done it. No danger of damaging the case or whatever by the end of the bolt catching or anything? Guess if I only make it long enough to touch first....

Cheers !!

if you wanna corner fast on a harley and minimise undercarriage touch down you goota get off the seat and look under the bars as u turn..cant lean a Harley like a sports bike

My FXR has the same road rash on it. It comes from being nice and low in a bend and then hitting a bump or pothole - so its not every bend, just the odd one.

If your ride is lowered then its even worse - i was lowered by 1.5" for about 2 months, but it was way too stressful rideing and 'hoping' it would not scrape on each corner. Back to stock now and she is a carver!

Thanks Johnnybegood.

It's pretty much stock, of course. I can't really afford much in the way of after-market goodies, but even when I do have some spare cash, I just can't bring myself to change her much cosmetically. Once the buck-horns were gone, and a few little bits of extra chrome bolted on, that was enough for me.

Mind you, I could probably go some decent shocks, maybe nice pipes, a good air-cleaner, wider rear tyre, bit more grunt.....wait.. WAIT! I must resist....