Identify Shock
Sportster models except the XL1200T and the XL1200CX have low, medium or tall shock absorbers depending on the market in which it is sold.
  1. Park your motorcycle on the jiffy stand without any luggage or load.
  2. Identify the shock.
    1. All except XL1200T and XL1200CX: See Figure 1. Measure from the center of the lower shock mounting bolt to the center of the upper mounting bolt. Compare the measurement to the identification table to determine if your motorcycle has low, medium or tall shock absorbers. Refer to Table 1.
    2. XL1200CX: See Figure 2. Identify the shock on the XL1200CX by the orange Harley-Davidson Bar & Shield (1) on the top of the shock.
Figure 1. Shock Absorber Length
1Orange Bar & Shield: XL1200CX
2Dot one (count down)
3Washer
4Increase preload (clockwise)
Figure 2. Preload Adjustment Arrow
Table 1. Shock Absorber Length
MEASUREMENT *
SHOCK
in
mm
11.220
285.0
Low. Refer to Controls and Indicators → Shock Absorber Preload: All except XL1200T → Low Travel Shocks Preload.
11.712
297.5
Medium. Refer to Controls and Indicators → Shock Absorber Preload: All except XL1200T → Medium Travel Shocks Preload.
13.366
339.5
Tall. Refer to Controls and Indicators → Shock Absorber Preload: All except XL1200T → Tall Travel Shocks Preload.
* Measure unladen on jiffy stand.
Identify the Preload Dot
NOTE
The total of rider weight and passenger plus cargo and accessories cannot exceed the maximum added weight allowed. Refer to Table 2.
  1. Add the weight of the rider and riding gear to get the rider weight.
  2. Separately, add the weight of the passenger, their riding gear, intended cargo and any accessories.
Table 2. Maximum Added Weight Allowed: All except XL1200T
MODEL
SPECIFICATIONS
lb
kg
XL883L
435
198
XL883N
438
199
XL1200C
413
188
XL1200CB
401
182
XL1200CX
432
196
XL1200X
449
204
  1. Identify the table that corresponds to the model and shock absorber configuration of your motorcycle.
    1. Low Travel: Refer to Table 3.
    2. Medium Travel: Refer to Table 4.
    3. Tall Travel: Refer to Table 5.
    4. XL1200CX: Refer to Table 5.
  2. In the table, locate the preload dot number corresponding to the rider, passenger, cargo and accessories calculations.
    1. Under RIDER WEIGHT, identify the row that includes the total weight of the rider
    2. In the row of PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES, identify the total weight column for any passenger, cargo and accessories.
    3. The number at the intersection of the RIDER WEIGHT row and the PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES column is the recommended preload dot.
Table 3. Low Travel Shocks Preload
ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
lb
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
240
kg
0
9
18
27
36
45
54
64
73
82
91
100
109
RIDER WEIGHT
PRELOAD DOT
lb
kg
100-129
45-59
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
8
9
9
10
10
130-159
59-72
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
8
9
9
10
10
11
160-189
73-86
3
4
5
6
7
7
8
9
9
10
10
11
12
190-219
86-99
4
5
6
7
7
8
9
9
10
11
11
12
-
Table 4. Medium Travel Shocks Preload
WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
lb
0
16
32
48
64
80
96
112
128
144
160
176
192
208
224
240
kg
0
7
15
22
29
36
44
51
58
65
73
80
87
94
102
109
RIDER WEIGHT
PRELOAD DOT
lb
kg
100-123
45-56
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
8
9
9
10
11
11
12
13
124-147
56-67
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
8
9
9
10
11
11
12
13
13
148-171
67-78
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
9
10
11
11
12
13
13
-
172-195
78-89
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
10
10
11
12
12
13
13
-
-
196-219
89-99
5
6
7
8
8
9
10
10
11
12
12
13
13
-
-
-
Table 5. Tall Travel Shocks Preload
WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
lb
0
18
36
54
72
90
108
126
144
162
180
198
216
234
kg
0
8
16
25
33
41
49
57
65
73
82
90
98
106
RIDER WEIGHT
PRELOAD DOT
lb
kg
116-141
53-64
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
142-167
64-76
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
-
168-193
76-88
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
-
-
194-219
88-99
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
-
-
-
Table 6. Shock Preload: XL1200CX
WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
lb
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
kg
0
11
23
34
45
57
68
80
91
102
RIDER WEIGHT
PRELOAD DOT
lb
kg
88-124
40-56
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
125-161
57-73
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
162-198
74-90
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
199-235
91-107
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
-
Shock Adjustment
WARNING
Adjust both shock absorbers equally. Improper adjustment can adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury. (00036b)
NOTE
To prevent damage to the adjustment and locking rings, do not use any other wrench than the one supplied with your motorcycle.
  1. Remove seat. See Maintenance and Lubrication → SEAT.
  2. See Figure 3. Lift the latch (2) and slide the spanner wrench (1) from the retention pocket.
1Spanner wrench
2Latch
3Solo seat
4Two-up seat
Figure 3. Spanner Wrench Retention Pocket
NOTICE
Avoid shock damage. Make sure shock threads are clean and free of debris before loosening or tightening shock adjusting nuts. (00646b)
  1. If necessary, clean the threads on the shock absorber.
  2. See Figure 4. Use the spanner wrench to turn the upper locking ring counterclockwise (1) to unlock the ring.
    3. NOTE
    See Figure 2. Rotate the lower adjustment ring clockwise (3) to increase preload. Rotate the lower adjustment ring counterclockwise to decrease preload.
  3. See Figure 4. Use the spanner wrench to turn (2) the lower adjustment ring below the recommended dot.
    4. NOTE
    See Figure 2. Count down from the top dot (2) on the shock dot scale to identify the recommended preload dot.
  4. Rotate the upper locking ring to align with the recommended preload dot (3).
  5. Cover one-half the recommended preload dot (4) with the upper locking ring.
  6. Use the wrench to hand tighten the lower adjustment ring against the upper locking ring (5).
  7. Adjust the opposite shock absorber to the same preload dot.
  8. Return the spanner wrench to the retention pocket under the seat.
  9. Install seat. See Maintenance and Lubrication → SEAT.
1Loosen upper locking ring
2Turn lower adjustment ring below recommended dot
3Rotate upper locking ring to dot
4Align upper locking ring to dot
5Tighten lower adjustment ring
Figure 4. Preload Adjustment