How do i adjust the shocks? - 2001 Harley Davidson FLSTC - FLSTCI Heritage Classic

Motorcycle Suspension Adjustments Progressive Shock Adjustments
Here is one YouTube video on adjusting MC shocks. If this isn't the right model, check YouTube for your model. There are more videos on adjusting shocks.

To remove lift rear tire slightly off the ground then remove the shock attaching bolt and washer with a special Snap-On adapter PN SRES24 and then remove the flange locknut and washer with grommet at the front of the shock. To reinstall put the washer and grommet inside the frame and put the bushing over the stud end of the shock and put the stud end through the keyed frame tube and loosely install the flange locknut. THEN coat the shoulder of the shock bolt (1) with ANTI-SEIZE compound and the bolt threads with blue loctite and insert the bolt and washer through the shock end and pivot the shock to align the bolt and the hole in the rear fork. Then tighten the shock bolt with the Snap-on adapter and since the adapter is not going to be at 90 degrees to the torque wrench it will lengthen the torque wrench and therefore the torque value must be computed with a torque computer such as the Snap-On PN SS-306G.Tighten the bolt and washer at the rear to 115-130 ft-lbs (155.9-176.2 Nm) and tighten the flange locknutto 32-39 ft-lbs (43.4-52.9 Nm). Then adjust the shocks equally with a special shock adjustment spanner.



To adjust the shocks loosen the locknuts and turn the adjuster plates OUT towards the locknut to increase the spring preload for a heavier load or IN away from the locknut to decrease the spring preload for a lighter load. You should MARK the adjuster plates before you begin so you can know when you have equally adjusted both shocks to the same position.

To adjust the shocks loosen the locknuts and turn the adjuster plates OUT towards the locknut to increase the spring preload for a heavier load or IN away from the locknut to decrease the spring preload for a lighter load. You should MARK the adjuster plates before you begin so you can know when you have equally adjusted both shocks to the same position.

Replace the spring with a heavier duty should do the job.
Have you tried adjustments in the spring load to stiffen it up.
The rear shock on your Yamaha V-Star 1100 motorcycle assures that the rear wheel is always in contact with the ground and makes your ride much more comfortable by absorbing road vibration and shock while you ride.

But your shock needs to be adjusted for different riding styles, so depending on whether you ride fast or cruise slowly and how quickly you take turns, you may want to adjust the shock to get the most out of your ride.

1

Remove the passenger seat by loosening and removing the rear passenger seat mounting bolt with a socket wrench.
With the passenger seat removed, you should see two larger rider's seat mounting bolts.
Remove these bolts and pull the rider's seat off of the bike to expose the internals of the motorcycle. 2

Detach the quick-release clips of the ignitor unit found just beneath the seat using a screwdriver. Pull the ignitor unit up and to the right of the bike to move it out of your way.

Remove the mudguard quick-release clips in the same fashion, then pull the mudguard out of the bike to expose the rear shock adjuster. 3

Look for the small numbers on the rear shock adjuster.
On most 2002 V-Stars you should see the numbers 1 to 9 printed on the shock adjuster.

These numbers give you an idea of the current setting of the shock.
The higher the number, the stiffer the adjustment. 4

Loosen the shock by turning the shock adjuster counterclockwise to a smaller number using a spanner wrench.

This makes the shock softer and more forgiving when riding over bumps and uneven pavement, but will feel slower in turns and accelerations.

Tighten the shock by turning it clockwise to a higher number.
This makes the shock stiffer, increasing road response in turns and giving you a better feel of road conditions at the expense of comfort. 5

Replace the mudguard, ignitor unit, rider's seat and mounting bolts, and the passenger seat and mounting bolts.

Take your bike for a ride to feel the difference a turn of the shock adjuster makes.

The adjusters are on the shocks that are underneath the bike. There are two adjustments. One is a nut on the shock stem that adjusts the height of the bike and the other is end plate of the shock with the holes in it. This adjusts the preload of the shocks. You need a special tool to adjust the preload.

Good Luck
Steve

This is directly from the 2008 VRSC Service Manual:

Make sure both shocks have the same preload.

The average weight solo rider might use the extended spring
preload position (adjustment setting 1 or 2).

1. Place the shock absorber adjustment tool around the lower
collar of the shock absorber.

2. Turn the collar clockwise (toward higher numbers) to
increase the preload or pressure.

Use the adjustment setting numbers as a reference for equal
adjustment of shock absorbers on both the right and left side
of the motorcycle. A heavy solo rider might require additional
preload or pressure (adjustment setting 3).

Adding a passenger may require maximum preload (adjustment
setting 5).

Turn the collar counterclockwise to decrease the preload or
pressure.

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/al_e83b1941f9c0f302

There is a shock company that makes progressive shocks for your bike. That is also the name of the shock, and a lot of them are adjustable eye to eye length. But they are not cheap.

Press Adjust and hold until blinking city appears.
Press Mode until DST appears flashing.
Press Recieve until mode that you want appears ON OFF AUTO
Press Adjust until not blinking city code.