Shock Bushings

[rugguy]

What are the symptoms of worn out shock bushings?

As always, all feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Chrisj CMA]

I had no real symptoms when mine were wore out. I think because things change slowly...but after I got good ones she felt so much tighter in turns, resonsive and steady. 

Some have had a pulling to one side or the other and I think they can cause weird tire wear (not sure there).

[rugguy]

Mushy through turns, wobbly at slow speeds and when riding two-up, almost feels like low tire. Did some reading online and ordered new bushings from red eye.

[old2soon]

If you don't notice the bolts on the top mount of the shock being off center what usually tells me from a handling stand point is while slowing down light or no pressure on the hand grips and she starts to go into a tank slapper or a pronounced front end wobble. The best indication is the top bolts-off center R and R shock bushings. Part of my pre trip is looking at the shock bushings. I HATE handling surprises.  RIDE SAFE.

[rugguy]

Old2soon...you nailed it...they are significantly off....new ones on the way...thanks

[old2soon]

Old2soon...you nailed it...they are significantly off....new ones on the way...thanks

     Happy I could be of some help to you. It is truly amazing how something as small as a shock bushing effects the handling of these beasts we ride to such a horrible degree. RIDE SAFE.

[Paxton]

rugguy;
Would you share the website from which you ordered the shock bushings? ???

GENERAL QUESTION: Are there bushings better quality than others? 

Thanks!

[rugguy]

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=331012132001

[N0tac0p]

yes there are.  the newer bushing that fit the VTX also fit the valk and are nylon vs rubber, members here have given them A+.  also theres a "split" bushing in a store on this site, called (i believe) the forever bushing and they are highly rated.

[Bighead]

I had worn out I mean worn out bushings last year. But the only way I knew in was when I was installing my IS bags on my standard I just happen to notice that the shock bolt was missing on the left side ???

[rugguy]

Well, I can't wait to get my redeye shock bushings and get them on the girl. We ride a lot of twisties down here and a wobbly, mushy ride is no fun at all.

+1 on what ChrisJ CMA said.....happens so slowly that you don't realize it until they are shot. She has 24k and I put 9000 miles on her in the last 12 months since I bought her so I am not surprised.

[jimmytee]

I had worn out I mean worn out bushings last year. But the only way I knew in was when I was installing my IS bags on my standard I just happen to notice that the shock bolt was missing on the left side ???

[old2soon]

When I dive into a twisty I want that 'planted" feeling-NOT the-W I T H are you trying to do to me I REFUSE to cooperate feeling.  OR the I will change the line you picked cause I like my line better.  THAT'S also in the-not good category.  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

yes there are.  the newer bushing that fit the VTX also fit the valk and are nylon vs rubber, members here have given them A+.  also theres a "split" bushing in a store on this site, called (i believe) the forever bushing and they are highly rated.

+1 on that. Got the vtx bushings on lower mounts and the poly ones on the uppers and they are great! When mine were worn the only thing I noticed was approaching speeds close to 100 it had a wallow in corners.

[BF]

yes there are.  the newer bushing that fit the VTX also fit the valk and are nylon vs rubber, members here have given them A+.  also theres a "split" bushing in a store on this site, called (i believe) the forever bushing and they are highly rated.

Part numbers/source?

[Paxton]

rugguy,
Thank you for the link. I went ahead and purchased a set. They should be here in a few days.

[The emperor has no clothes]

yes there are.  the newer bushing that fit the VTX also fit the valk and are nylon vs rubber, members here have given them A+.  also theres a "split" bushing in a store on this site, called (i believe) the forever bushing and they are highly rated.

Part numbers/source?

BF, I got my upper ones (poly) at xf6 customs . And the lowers from hdl. Just look up for the vtx #. They are great!

[Paxton]

meathead;

I just purchased the rubber ones for one set of shocks. But I need to do another set of shocks for my I/S.
I want the ones you describe.
Would you kindly post both the links / sites from where you purchased them? ???

Thanks!

[The emperor has no clothes]

meathead;

I just purchased the rubber ones for one set of shocks. But I need to do another set of shocks for my I/S.
I want the ones you describe.
Would you kindly post both the links / sites from where you purchased them? ???

Thanks!

Paxton, I'm sorry I don't know how to postinks or pics. I think if you do search on here you'll find an old post about them. That's where I got turned on to them a couple years back. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[Willow]

I just purchased the rubber ones for one set of shocks. But I need to do another set of shocks for my I/S.
I want the ones you describe.
Would you kindly post both the links / sites from where you purchased them? ???

Paxton, if you bought the ones from Redeye they are not rubber but polyurethane.  You will find none better.

[Paxton]

Willow;
I finally read the cardboard description and you are absolutely correct.

BTW, how would one tell the difference between I/S  and Tourer / Standard Shocks?  ???

[rugguy]

Put in my redeye bushings today...she goes where I point her again....worth the time and effort.

[Paxton]

Do you really have to remove the exhaust system to replace the shocks?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Do you really have to remove the exhaust system to replace the shocks?

Hell NO!

[rugguy]

No you don't. The Clymer manual says you do but it's not accurate. At least for an Interstate.

[The emperor has no clothes]

No you don't. The Clymer manual says you do but it's not accurate. At least for an Interstate.

Nor a standard

[Paxton]

Got the bushings. Great quality. 
After two hours of hassle I was able to get one on! Duck Tape and a hammer might be the next step! 

[Willow]

BTW, how would one tell the difference between I/S  and Tourer / Standard Shocks?  ???

They're interchangeable.  Interstates are a bit stiffer.

The OEM interstate shock contains MBY in its part number.  The Standard/Tourer shock contains MZ0,

[crow]

I'm so glad that I read this post.  I have noticed, lately, a un steady feeling from the rear, like the tire is low, not shure footed, kinda squirmy.   I will definetly change them.   She's got 65+ K on her now, guess it is time to do some maintenance.  I have serviced the drive train regularly with every tire change, no issues there. What else do youall suggest.   I thought about changing fork oil, just to do it, there is no leaking though.  Change oil on the BMW   /5 often cause its easy to do.

[HayHauler]

These are the ones for the stock shocks from Daryl @ F6.  Guaranteed for life of your motorcycle....

http://www.xf6-custom.com/partpages/bushings.html

Hay 
Jimmyt

[valkyriemc]

Picture from Gary. (No longer with us), but insightful.


https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1477&bih=672&q=bad+valkyrie+shock+bushings&oq=bad+valkyrie+shock+bushings&gs_l=img.12...1905.12747.0.14881.27.8.0.19.0.0.133.849.3j5.8.0....0...1ac.1.42.img..20.7.755.zB_0Af_T7Kk#facrc=_&imgrc=NEkCXuIv2JMNqM%253A%3BO8aO_ChfEKCMxM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.rattlebars.com%252Fcart%252Fbushings.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.rattlebars.com%252Fcart%252Fbushings.html%3B476%3B300

[rhinor61]

I followed this advice a few years ago when I saw splitting on 6 year old progressive 412 bushing. I replace the bushings.. bike felt like new GOING into a corners.

then the following summer, coming home from work, pop.. the left side shock rod snapped off the upper mount, dropping the bike ass down.

I pulled over and saw what happened..
I called for a tow truck and had my bike back in the garage 3 hours later.

You might be saving money on rebushing a old shock, but to break down on the side of the road sucks.
Ask yourself, is your safety or the passenger safety work not buying new shocks?

We all preach how much better our bikes are built over HD, then we cut corners when it comes to maintenance.

just my thought on replacement of bushings...

[Willow]

Wow, rhinor61.  I'm not sure I read that right.

Are you actually suggesting that we should replace our shocks whenever the shock bushings wear out?

If I'm properly understanding what you related, I've never heard of that happening to anyone else.   

[Jess from VA]

Was it an upper shock mount stud on the bike, or the shock top itself that broke off?

[rhinor61]

The shock rod is welded to the eyelet on the shock.
The eyelet where your replacing the bushing.


Why does the bushing split in the 1st place? Age.. Stress?...  Once the bushing splits it can no longer
reduce the force being transferred to the frame. It maybe a while until its noticed.

So everything I have read from our forums here is, oh its a bad bushing, just replace it.

Wow.. I guess I am just lucky.

I think I will play the lottery tonight.

I just sharing what happened to me, I only have myself to blame.

[csj]

I guess it's possible that when the shock bushing crumples, that the shock eyelet
would then be stressed. I need to change mine very soon.

I'll be looking at the eyelets for cracks!


On another note, worn shock bushings (rubber) really show up when running a car tire.
Twice I've had a severe wobble above 90mph. Put in the new rubber bushings,
wobble gone.

This will be my third set of bushings, will order the urethane next.

[Willow]

Why does the bushing split in the 1st place? Age.. Stress?... 

Actually the bushings most of us are replacing are worn rather than split.

I think the idea of inspecting possible if you've been reduced to metal stressing metal is proper.

[rugguy]

Both my top shock mount bushings were split at the bottom

[Paxton]

QUOTE from csj: "... This will be my third set of bushings ..."
======================================
csj; You better stop buyin' them Canadian bushings... ???
Save money, buy Chinese!

[csj]

csj; You better stop buyin' them Canadian bushings...

You gotta realize, 'Canadian Bush'ings, man. They're the good stuff.