After much research and heaps of phone calls in Australia, enquiring about solving the rear suspension issue of a Softail, I believe I have made one of the best decisions of my Harley life and bought a SHOTGUN SHOCK directly from JD the magic Designer/Engineer/Manufacturer and all round Gentleman. I have a 2012 FXS Blackline with the factory lowered suspension and I way 105kg and soon discovered that I had to either set the rear shocks hard to stop suspension bottoming out and giving me the feeling that my coxyen just got pushed up to top of my spine but this also created a hash and choppy ride. This was scary when cornering and I would hit some mild road imperfections especially corrugation causing the rear to hop out like a true old hardtail but no sprung seating? Or set it where it was nice on flat road (flat road what flat road, I'm in Qld) but would bottom out if I ran over the smallest Cane Toad (bump bump).
Now getting to the Shotgun Shock, E-mailed JD and he E-Mailed me back in a instant giving me the relevant answers to all my questions, this quick, nearly instant E-mail responses remained the whole time I communicated with JD (The man will answer you from his Galaxy phone if need be). Deal struck was $1250 US and he paid postage as well and these are not a light item to ship, and payed via PayPal...All so easy.
Shock arrived and after unwrapping I was amazed at the quality, design principles and solid construction of this piece of gear. I am a Panel Beater by trade and have built Hot Rods, restored anything and everything you can think of and specialised in motorbikes mainly British. Now for those that don't know JD's product, he calls it Shock not shocks as its a twin shock designed into one beautifully machined and designed lump of aluminium with the valving placed into a machined recess with a sealed lid. My mate said it was going to look real nice hanging out where everyone will admire it, should have seen the look on his face when I said its under the bike in the muck where no one can see it (I nearly pissed myself laughing) He rides motocross?
Install - As long as you have a bike lift its all pretty simply other than getting the original swing arm shock bolts out as there Loctite in, and you are advised to (I wouldn't and didn't) use heat to assist the loosening of these bolts as my/all 2012 Softails have a plastic module for something maybe ABS? sitting about 2cm above the head of these bolts and I imagine is expensive to replace when you melt it? Persist with just using ring spanners.The pump with only one airline, sits in front of the Shock tucked up in the recess at the rear of the engine and is held in there by supplied bracket that mounts under one of (left side) front shock nuts.
I can go into the finer details of this install if anyone asks but all I wanted to mainly say this is one well engineered piece of kit and it does what it is advertised to do. I have a lovely smooth ride now and very rarely bottom out being able to set rebound I no longer bottom out unless its a very severe bump and the system has held its air now for 2 weeks. I did not purchase for the up and down look at me factor but solely for ride comfort ability and so far that is great. I am not associated with JD in any other way than being a satisfied customer and if at anytime I find fault with anything I purchase I will just state the facts. Take a look at Shotgun Shock site and see for yourself.
I have one on my bike too. They are a good thing. Mine went missing in the mail but JD was prompt in sending a second one out which got to me quickly.
Had mine a few months now. Easy install. Takes a little while to adjust confidently. I basically pump it up until fully extended( max height) then keep pumping for 15 seconds. From here I add the rebound by pumping it down about two inches. Don't skimp on the 15 seconds or it will be too spongy ( unless you way 50 kg)
im happy with it. Slammed for looks or raise it up for hard riding. Good stuff.
Devo - I know where your coming from but if I wanted a sports bike suspension setup I'd be on a Ducati Forum. I'm after the most comfortable ride with the best suspension I can get for a Cruiser. The Shotgun allows me to lean the bike over until the pegs scrape and feel comfortable that the rear suspension will handle it safely by keeping the rear planted firmly on the black stuff. Cause I had to preload the Old shocks up so much to stop bottoming out it caused the rear wheel to skip on bumps in cornering and scare the sh....ter out of me. The originals seem to just collapse when presented with a sharp bump so I had to preload then right up to save my spine?
I agree with you, it takes a while to sort out the best way and setting with the Shotgun but its fun while your figuring it out, playing with a new toy is always fun. About the only thing missing is a set of micro gauges telling you the pressure in preload chamber and ride height chamber. I gather your happy with your Shotgun? What bike are you running them on?
