Custom 14.5" Monoshock M8 Softail Shock | RWD

[@1kzrider]

Wow that final frame is amazing. Freaking looks awesome.

[@ConnorFXDB]

cheers! Thank you!!

[@phillipcabaniss5028]

My dude, I gotta ask, did you have to shorten your belt after goin up to the 14.5”? My axle adjusters are all the way back so trying to figure out how many teeth I need to drop down

[@seanhennessy7580]

Hello! awesome video. I have a question slightly off topic but would you happen to know if the bung king lift kit would fit a fox mono shock? I am attempting to try this because I am wanting to get as close as I can to the height just before I have to start shaving my frame.

[@ConnorFXDB]

howdy! Thanks Sean! It "should" I asked the similar question with the Legends air shock and they said it was possible but dont recommend it. That might be the answer you get from Fox - they'll tell you not to as to not assume any liability on their end but I would guess you could also. I would email and ask them just to check on how theyre shock is assembled - then you could get a spring compression tool and follow the same steps you would with the stock shock LMK if it does! Id be interested to see how it sits!

[@phillipcabaniss5028]

Thanks for the video! I’ve got a question, when you ground the frame did you run into the swing arm pivot locking bolt? I’ve got a 15” Penske I’m installing

[@ConnorFXDB]

I did not - basically I just made the clutch side of the swingarm go from > to ] just enough clearance for the swingarm to clear. I would shave material down, check the swingarm drop again and if it rubbed I would shave some more. Shoot me a message on IG @ CONNORFXDB and remind me later today and can send a photo of my swingarm

[@DarthChatterbait]

You sound like you've gotten to see a few of these shocks up close and in different lengths. Any chance you know if the spring itself is longer on the taller shocks? As in would you actually get more suspension travel out of the 14.5 vs 13.5, or just the height?

[@ConnorFXDB]

I want to say its just the spring but I could be 100% wrong lol, I would message RWD regarding specifics.

[@DarthChatterbait]

@@ConnorFXDB I did recently reach out and they had the answer right away. It is just a longer shaft at the base of the spring and not a longer spring, nor any more travel by going taller than the 13.5. I was sad to hear it, but can understand why they don't make them on that level of custom. The custom length availability is amazing in it's own right. Thanks for the response though. I ordered one up right after the call.

[@tmf404]

I have a 13.5 Rwd on back order for my new softail how does the 14.5 ride compare to 13.5 because I don’t want it bouncing all over the place Surely looks great for wheelies I may call them and ask them to change it up before they ship it

[@ConnorFXDB]

Howdy and good mornin, Tanner! Great question! The main difference is going to be the height. The stiffness adjustability will be the same. I wanted the clearance since I was planning on going 17 wheels in the future so it will help with hard parts clearing since the front will go from 19 to 17". Helps with aggressive riding and turns. I like the 14.5 because it feels like my dyna did since I also lifted the front of my FXLR +2. You will have to make some modifications to your frame if you go taller than 13.5" and theres a $100+ add on fee if you ordered directly from RWD or $50 if you order from a vendor like Hardcore Cycles. Hope that helps! Thank you for watching!

[@n9ne-]

Nice gap man. Did you have to adjust the chain afterwards? Do i have to adjust my belt tension after installing a taller shock? I went with a 13.6 for my fxlrs.. haven t installed it yet

[@ConnorFXDB]

I did a bit yes. I was dealing with chain slack walking (where it would continue to progress from 2" to 2.5" to 2.75" but believe it was attributed to axle adjusters losing their grip). I added loctite to them and it seemed to cure the issue. I set the slack from 1.5" stock sag to 2" for the added height and it seems to be a solid area. A buddy added 14.25" on their fxbb and we did adust the belt slightly because it was a little too tight with the new 14.25" so just check that after you install it Thank you for watching! Truly appreciate the support!

[@n9ne-]

@@ConnorFXDB hey bud, Thank you for your fast and kind answer! I appreciate your help! Keep up the good work, greetings from germany!

[@lucasalzano3411]

Hey Connor, I'm about to do pretty much the same modification you did as I'm after that damn "dyna gap". Do you reckon I will be able to adjust the belt properly after such a lift ? Yeah, I still run the belt and I'm not planning on swapping with chain anytime soon...

[@ConnorFXDB]

howdy Luca! My apologies for the tardy reply. You will have to adjust the belt slightly. We installed another at 14.25 to a friends FXBB and the belt did need some adjusting to tighten it. Hope that helps and if any further questions feel free to message me. Thank you for watching!

[@mr.b3168]

Damn. Messing with the frame is beyond my level of confidence. But good to see some lean capabilities

[@ConnorFXDB]

It was mine as well! I learned as I went 😂 right before I grinded the frame I was sweating!! Hahaha but it all worked out in the end (thankfully) lol Much appreciate the support and thank you for watching! It def rides so sick now

[@drewlansing8520]

How does it ride? Is it noticeably easier to wheelie versus the 13.5? I saw your other kickstand video, what are you doing now? I have a m8 low S, I’m trying to plan what to do with the kickstand.

[@ConnorFXDB]

Howdy Drew! Thank you for watching! I appreciate the support! I have yet to unlock that skill and am not able to wheelie haha. For the kickstand I had the help of a buddy to cut it and add 2.5" of extra steel and rewelded it to extend it. I thought a 3" kickstand block would look funky. I do enjoy the handling and clearance of the bike as it sits now with the 13.5" shock

[@jayvillaluz]

Connor could you give me info about the pre load adjuster. Dont know how it works. Whether to turn it left or right. Theres no instructions

[@ConnorFXDB]

howdy! preload sets the sag - preload is used to adjust the shock or spring to the correct range of operation within the suspension's travel-more preload will raise the bike up on its suspension, keeping you near the top of its travel. i forget the orientation of which turn direction increases or decrease, but if you have more threads and the spring is coiled tighter, you have more preload - it will make your ride a little stiffer depending on how much preload you put onto the shock. Lmk if that helps

[@adminadmin9997]

Has anyone figured out yet if you turn the ring on the shock clockwise or counter clockwise to add preload?

[@jimmycrackcorn1783]

Air vs mono which you like better for performance?

[@ConnorFXDB]

def tough choice! The air shock would be much more competitive if the pricing was closer in line with the other shocks. The legend air was a nice feeling shock but too much gadgetry for me. The RWD is a solid upgrade from the stock option allowing you adjustability for both compression and rebound. Ima say mono is my vote Thanks for watching! solid question

[@bozly209]

Damn that thing sits high!

[@ConnorFXDB]

but sits so perfect! Thank you for watching!! Much appreciate the support!

[@bradyhaggard4672]

Did the frame hit on swing arm itself or the bolt?

[@ConnorFXDB]

howdy! It was the frame and swingarm making contact with each other which is what I shaved first to allow the swingarm to drop. Then came across the issue of the lower shock bay (on the swingarm) was not letting the shock rest flush enough to allow both top and bottom mounting bolts for the shock to feed thru. Shaved the shelf of the lower shock bay down to allow the shock to sit more evenly and that did the trick

[@adminadmin9997]

Has anyone figured out what orientation you turn the adjuster ring on the shock to add preload?

[@ConnorFXDB]

Spinning the collar down increases preload and reduces the amount of sag. Spinning the collar upwards reduces preload and increases sag

[@MarvFitBikesKicks]

does raising the bike affect the handling?

[@ConnorFXDB]

I did it for more clearance in turns so yes. There are some who state raising the rear and not the front will make it unstable but I did the same style lift on my dyna with a 14.25" rear shock and +2 lift in the front. I haven't noticed any adverse effects or wobbles. As soon as I put on the higher rear shock on my softail FXLR I hit the toll road and hit 100+ to see if there was any differences at speed, higher speed, and then track speed.

[@ericferlenda8955]

Whats your seat height after the install?

[@ConnorFXDB]

it was 30"+ range. I'll have to check - it was 1" less than the panamerica so 32-34" range

[@Sthorvnes]

So sick!

[@ConnorFXDB]

Thank you Sindre!!! So stoked to finally be done with all modifications and have it installed!! Cheers brutha! Thank you for watching!!

[@scootjockey]

Öhlins the only way for me with the 2019 fxbr.

[@ConnorFXDB]

solid! Ohlins are a solid shock! But the custom shock had me sold! Cheers and thank you for watching!

[@user-bl8bn4kb8m]

Looks good

[@ConnorFXDB]

Thank you! Was so rewarding finally getting it installed and done with all modifications 😂 Thank you for watching!!!

[@reeserides7757]

What wheels are those?

[@ConnorFXDB]

theyre the stock FXLR wheels I just had painted grey

[@khakimzhanmiras]

That gap 😍

[@ConnorFXDB]

THAT GAAAAAAAAAAAP! My thoughts exactly! It looks so nice! Cheers Miras! Thank you for watching! I appreciate your support!

[@bobhog3969]

I took off my fender when installing tonight it was easier

[@ConnorFXDB]

100% esp with that small lower shock bolt pinch bolt so you dont have to do 1000 micro turns haha heck ya! Cheers! Thank you for watching!