Hi everyone, thinking it’s time I did some more work on the bike.

I want to tackle the suspension now, as that is where it is now lacking the most now.

 So after going back to nearly page one of the dyna forum pages and reading suspension threads on this and other forums till my eyes bled, I’m not sure where I am now.

 

I am considering fitting longer wide glide tubes to lift the front end up and gain some ground clearance, with 13 inch shocks on the back so the rack and trail doesn’t change too much. Is a guy up this way who has done it and said it was a vast improvement clearance wise, do a lot of mountain road riding with tight twisty bits up this way.

When I get home I want to see what sag I currently have in the front as I’m pretty sure it is more than the 25 ~ 30 mm that seems to be recommended, and see how the clearance goes when I reset it, and check the oil height, still thinking it will be low, but I might not drag my heels going through a normal roundabout at 50 clicks.

 

For the forks I was either going to go with either a cartridge insert or single rate springs (Traxton ?) for my weight and either the gold valve or Ricor Intiminators, which are easier to fit and do not alter the std damper rod.

 

However I think the cost for a cartridge will probably lead me down the single rate spring route for the time being.

 

As to the rear shocks, this is where I got REALLY lost.

 

I was originally just going to go IKON (front fork spring as well), but then came upon all the reports on the Ricor, Hagon Nitro and the Gazi units, unfortunately higher cost units (Wilber’s, Olin etc) are not really on the cards due to budget constraints, I might be able to stretch the budget on the rears if I don’t do the wide glide tubes. However if I go the longer front tube I sort of need to do both ends together so keep the same geometry.

 

Ricor have a sale on at the moment, shocks and the Intiminators for just over 1250 delivered (without the extra 10% gouging tax now imposed on everything imported), and that is probably the best value at the moment, provided the shocks are as good as later reports make out, there early ones were prone to seal failure from what I have read. Probably have to keep the stock duel rate springs till I can get the single rate replacements, not ideal but should be some improvement on the stock front end.

 

Was a guy on the forum custom building Olin units in the states, but his posts were form 2011 and 2012, and I haven’t seen any later ones, even on the US forums.

 

I had looked at the progressive suspension units, but am put off with the reports (on here) of the quality not being as good as it once was. Sort of heard about mixed results with the YSS units too.

 

So I guess I’m asking has anyone have a direct comparison of the Ricor and Hagon Nitros vs the Gazi and Ikon models, or recently fitted them. From what I gather there isn’t much between the Ricor and Hagon units, main difference is the way they operate and manual vs auto adjustment system.

The Gazi ones seem like they would be OK, but not sure about the looks, but the ride height adjustment is a plus.

 

So I’m leaning towards either Rico or the Hagon units, but as I run saddle bags I believe I can’t fit piggyback style shocks, though a remote reservoir might work, depending on where and how they are mounted.

 

Sorry for the long post, but I can’t expect an answer if I don’t let you all know what I’m thinking, and how I got there.

 

Cheers

Ken

have a look at Nitron shocks from Suspensions R Us in Melbourne. I have them on my Street Glide and love 

First of all what’s the bike Ken?

all good advice, just thought I would add, if you can add another stabiliser for the rubber mounts, that stops forward to rear movement, will help. there are a few around, just not sure what product names are. but Dyna needs them!good luck I would use Ohlins or race tech.

Yep I’ve always said the stabilisers were best upgrade I’ve done on the Dyna when it comes to stability and handling.

Thanks for the replies.

Ive read repeatedly about Progressive popping the seals  . big name products should have a decent life span

Cannot add any re comparing shocks but I have used Ikons and found them to be very good. 

Another happy Ohlins customer here.

Nix 22 front and one off HD215's in 13.5 inch in the rear. Absolutely transformed my FXDLS. Wasn't cheap however now I have the setup to my liking I think it was money well spent.

Howard at Motorcycle metal in the states is the guru at making a HD turn, his personality is blunt and direct but the service and advice/experience he has is unsurpassed.

I been riding Harleys for ages, I had a box full of progressive shocks & fork springs, in old day's always though ok at start but get progressively worse. then got me Dyna twin cam set up by, Shock Treatment, out of Sydney & that's who have set up my old Sporty build, was best I've had on Dyna. had Race Tech springs & gold valving in forks & race tech custom set up shocks, but sporty will have race tech springs & gold valving in forks , set up to my weight and bikes weight, and Ohlins shocks 14.5" long set up by shock treatment. but still rebuilding bike. so can't say yet.

Yeah I forgot to mention I had some dealings with Howard as well. Blunt personality is being kind. He’s a pig.

Well that’s good news, cheers 

Howard is a great bloke,no BS kinda guy , known and traded with him for years and get on real well with him, he just doesn't tolerate fuckwits well or at all.

Not a chance he’d get on with you if that’s the case

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Thanks Hilly.

Hilly's not rambling Ken, I put the single rate springs and race tech gold valves in recently, tried every one of the springs, different weight oil, 3 weeks friggin around with all the different scenarios. The guys here put me onto an old thread from Hilly, followed the suggestions to the letter, like riding a different bike now. I also put a set of Ohlin STX36 rear shocks @ 13" on the back a couple of weeks earlier, think I got them for $1200 fitted. The single rate springs and gold valves cost about $500, you will be surprised at the difference once you get it set.

No Hilly not rambling :)

Someone say "Beer"?