Hi Guys,
A nice simple run through of how to replace your rear shocks on your sportster. This was probably the simplest mod on the bike so far, so this is probably more for the begginer / no knowledge bike sort of guys. So if you're thinking of getting a drop kit, or even just replacing your rear shocks, but tossing up between getting someone to do it, or just doing it yourself - DO IT YOURSELF - It's simple as chips. You do need one specialty tool (torque wrench) and a bike lift, but if you plan on fine tuning / customising / replacing a bunch of other parts on your bike, you're going to need these two eventually anyways, so I would say invest in getting them now.
HOW TO REPLACE / CHANGE YOUR REAR SHOCKS
Step 1: First things first. You're gonna' need the following tools : A bike lift, Torque Wrench, A pretty massive Size 50 Toque Bit, Some sort of Thread Locking Compound such as Loctite which you should be able to get at Bunnings or Super Cheap, and a size 19 spanner.
Step 2: Get your bike onto the lift, and get the bike only just off the ground. You don't want the back wheel to be more than about 2-3 cm off the ground. I kind learned that the hard way haha.
Step 3: There's only two bolts on each shock that you need to remove in order to remove the shock itself from the bike. To remove the top bolt, you'll only need you torque wrench with the Size 50 bit piece in it. It's as simple as unscrewing it and removing it from the body of the bike. To remove the bottom bolt, you'll need both your torque wrench and your Size 19 spanner, as there is a little nut on the other side which you'll just need to hold in place while you unscrew the bolt. Once you've removed both the top and bottom bolts, your shock will be completely free. Follow the same process for the second shock and remove it carefully, BUT I strongly advise either laying something solid underneath the wheel or having a second person help you hold the wheel, because as soon as you take off that second shock the whole wheel and wheel arm will drop. (PLEASE NOTE: YOU DON'T NEED TO REMOVE THE REAR FENDER, MINE WAS JUST ALREADY OFF SO DON'T THINK YOU NEED TO DO THE SAME)
Step 4: Depending on what sort of set of rear shocks that you'll be replacing your current ones with, will depend on what sort of parts you'll need to use / re-use, but they should all be supplied within the kit you just purchased. Most people either go with Progessive Shocks or the Burly Slammer Kit. I went with the Burly kit. If you're using the Burly kit, there's two little black bits that they supply which you'll need to add to each of the bolts when you install your new shocks (if you have a 95 or later model I think it is). I don't think you need these if your bike is older. There's some instructions in the box too if you need help see where they go.
Step 5: Installing the new shocks is super easy. It's the exact same process as you took to remove your originals. The only things you will need to do as you are now tightening them, is that 1. You'll need to just apply a small amount of that Loctite / Thread Locking Compound to the threads of your bolts before you screw them back in, to help keep them locked back in the bike nice and securely, and 2. You'll need to set your Torque Wrench to 48 Nm as to be sure to not overtighten and thread the bolt. It can be a little tricky tightening the bottom bolts, as it's a little awkward holding the spanner and using the torque wrench at the same time, so maybe just get some to help you out.
Step 6: Once you have gotten those shocks on, and tightened all the bolts to 48 Nm, you should notice quite a substancial different in height. Take her for a little test ride and see how she feels. If it's feeling a little too low, or possibly even bottoms out (it shouldn't), you always have the option of adjusting the height of the shocks with a little tool that should also be supplied in the box.
I quickly threw my rear fender back on so you can see how it looks now as a finished product.
That's it guys, hopefully this helps someone out sometime in the near future. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Cheers!
