Special Tools
DescriptionPart NumberQty.
SPANNER WRENCH KIT
14900102
1

Calculate Preload Setting
WARNING
Do not exceed the motorcycle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Exceeding these weight ratings can lead to component failure and adversely affect stability, handling and performance, which could result in death or serious injury. (00016f)
Adjust suspension to suit load conditions, riding style and personal comfort. Increase preload to accommodate the total load. Reduce the preload if carrying less weight. Do not exceed maximum GVWR or GAWR when loading.
NOTE
To determine the motorcycle configuration check the model character stamped on the VIN. See Your Motorcycle → Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
1. Determine preload setting.
a. Add the weight of the rider and riding gear to get the rider weight for the desired table.
b. Separately, add the weight of the passenger, their riding gear, intended cargo and any accessories.
c. Use the number at the intersection of the RIDER WEIGHT row and the ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES column to find the recommended preload setting.
2. Use one of the following tables that matches your vehicle to find the proper preload setting.
Table 1. Suspension Preload Table: Heritage Classic (FLHC), Low Rider ST (FXLRST)
ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
LB
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
KG
0
9
18
27
36
45
54
64
73
82
92
RIDER WEIGHT
LB
KG
Preload Setting
160
73
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
180
82
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
200
91
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
220
100
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
240
109
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
260
118
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
NA
NA
280
127
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
300
136
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Table 2. Suspension Preload Table: Street Bob (FXBB)
ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
LB
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
KG
0
9
18
27
36
45
54
64
73
82
92
RIDER WEIGHT
LB
KG
Preload Setting
160
73
1
2
3
4
5
7
7
7
7
7
7
180
82
2
3
4
5
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
200
91
2
4
5
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
220
100
3
4
5
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
240
109
4
5
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
260
118
5
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
280
127
5
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
300
136
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
Table 3. Suspension Preload Table: Low Rider S (FXLRS)
ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
LB
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
KG
0
9
18
27
36
45
54
64
73
82
92
RIDER WEIGHT
LB
KG
Preload Setting
160
73
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
180
82
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
200
91
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
220
100
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
240
109
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
260
118
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
NA
NA
280
127
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
300
136
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Table 4. Suspension Preload Table: Breakout (FXBR), Fat Boy (FLFB)
ADDITIONAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER, CARGO AND ACCESSORIES
LB
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
KG
0
9
18
27
36
45
54
64
73
82
92
RIDER WEIGHT
LB
KG
Preload Setting
160
73
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
180
82
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
200
91
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
220
100
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
240
109
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
260
118
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
280
127
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.0
5.0
NA
NA
300
136
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Adjustment
NOTE
Adjust the shock with the motorcycle resting on the jiffy stand.
  1. Cam style:
    1. Remove seat.
      2. NOTE
      The provided spanner wrench is to be assembled before use.
    2. Insert the tang of the SPANNER WRENCH KIT (Part Number:14900102) in the slots in the rear shock, turn the cam until the indicator (1) points to the appropriate preload setting (2).
  2. Hydraulic under seat:
    1. Remove seat.
      2. NOTE
      The provided spanner wrench is to be assembled before use.
    2. Using the socket end of the SPANNER WRENCH KIT (Part Number:14900102), rotate adjustment screw clockwise to increase preload setting, or counterclockwise to decrease preload setting until the indicator shows the appropriate preload setting.
1Indicator
2Preload setting
Figure 1. Preload Adjustment Cam
Figure 2. Preload Adjustment Screw
Figure 3. Spanner Wrench Kit