No lift kit needed with 14.5" Super Shox True of False?

[Batman825]

I read a lot on this site about the lift kit from DK Customs. They sell a 14" shock and the lift kit. Doing research, I saw a post on another site that stated if you got the 14.5" Super Shox for the trike you don't need the lift kit. I guess my question is, how much does the lift kit lift the back end with their 14" shock and does the 14.5" shock equate to what the lift kit provides. Also how do the 2 shocks compare, Pro-Action vs Super Shox.

 

[Batman825]

So I could go with the Super Shox and add the lift kit?

 

[Fearless]

the comfort lift will change the angle on the shock. I have no knowledge about the super shox or any others. I installed Pro Action and love them, however they are pricy but I feel they are worth every penny. Good luck on your search. Everyone has a budget I waited to get the best possible buy. I only wanted to cry once. Fred

 

[NHBAGGER]

I have never used the Super Shox, but the 14" Pro Action are the best I have ever owned. Even better than the original 13".

I am not using a lift kit.

 

[PosseRider]

I have never used the Super Shox, but the 14" Pro Action are the best I have ever owned. Even better than the original 13".

I am not using a lift kit.

+1

 

[k-dog]

i bought the bitubo shocks from dk improved ride, half the price of pro.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I read a lot on this site about the lift kit from DK Customs. They sell a 14" shock and the lift kit. Doing research, I saw a post on another site that stated if you got the 14.5" Super Shox for the trike you don't need the lift kit. I guess my question is, how much does the lift kit lift the back end with their 14" shock and does the 14.5" shock equate to what the lift kit provides. Also how do the 2 shocks compare, Pro-Action vs Super Shox.

Last question first- We have not tested the 14.5" Super Shox. We did test the 13" Super Shox a couple of years ago, and they did not even make the review list.

Regard DK Custom Convertible Comfort Lift™ kits that can be seen at this LINK-

We have a kit for 13" (OEM length) shocks that can be seen at this LINK

We have a lift kit for the 14" shocks, that can be seen at this LINK.

Convertible stands for it having two different height mounting options...primary and secondary

Comfort stands for it changing the angle of the shocks to help them absorb the smaller bumps better

Lift stands for....well that is what they have always been called, but is possibly the source of some misunderstanding.

Specs for the Convertible Comfort Lift™ made for the 13" OEM length shocks-

The Primary position gives 1.25" lift at the shocks and 1.6" lift at the end of the mufflers.

The Secondary position give almost 1" at the shocks and 1.2" lift at the end of the mufflers

Specs for the Convertible Comfort Lift™ made for the 14" length shocks-

When using the primary mounting points, it does lift the mounting point of the Trike about 1.25". (.25" from the Lift and 1" from the 1" longer shock) The primary mounting points should be used on 09-13 Trikes. They may also work on 14-16 Trikes...just depends on how far off Harley was on their tolerances.

On 2017 and up Trikes only the secondary mounting points should be used. This is because of the exhaust changes Harley made.

When using the secondary mounting points it actually LOWERS the shocks by 3/16 of an inch.

The myth that using the Convertible Comfort Lift™ raises the back of the Trike higher than the factory brackets is just that, a myth.

They actually lower the back of the Trike 3/16" compared to the factory brackets.​

Why do we recommend the Convertible Comfort Lift for the 14" shocks on 2017 and up Trikes?

1. The change in the angle will give a better ride quality

2. Harley tolerances vary wildly. Sometimes you can install the 14" shocks on the stock brackets. But the majority of the time, when trying to install the 14" shocks with the factory brackets, the swingarm will come into contact with the exhaust on the right side, resulting in not being able to install the shocks properly, and/or causing the swingarm to clank against the exhaust when topping out the shocks on a larger bump.

This is why we have the secondary mounting points for the 2017 & up models (you cannot use the primary for the 2017 & up models). The secondary mounting point is 3/16 of an inch Lower than stock.

The Math:

Stock brackets with 14" shocks = 1" higher (at the shock)

Convertible Comfort Lift with 14" shocks = 13/16" higher (at the shock)

Whether the 14.5" will fit with your factory brackets or with the 14" Convertible Comfort Lift™ will depend on what year trike you have, what side of the tolerances your particular HD was manufactured at, and how much sag the 14.5" shocks have.

Kevin

 

[Batman825]

Last question first- We have not tested the 14.5" Super Shox. We did test the 13" Super Shox a couple of years ago, and they did not even make the review list.

Regard DK Custom Convertible Comfort Lift™ kits that can be seen at this LINK-

We have a kit for 13" (OEM length) shocks that can be seen at this LINK

We have a lift kit for the 14" shocks, that can be seen at this LINK.

Convertible stands for it having two different height mounting options...primary and secondary

Comfort stands for it changing the angle of the shocks to help them absorb the smaller bumps better

Lift stands for....well that is what they have always been called, but is possibly the source of some misunderstanding.

Specs for the Convertible Comfort Lift™ made for the 13" OEM length shocks-

The Primary position gives 1.25" lift at the shocks and 1.6" lift at the end of the mufflers.

The Secondary position give almost 1" at the shocks and 1.2" lift at the end of the mufflers

Specs for the Convertible Comfort Lift™ made for the 14" length shocks-

When using the primary mounting points, it does lift the mounting point of the Trike about 1.25". (.25" from the Lift and 1" from the 1" longer shock) The primary mounting points should be used on 09-13 Trikes. They may also work on 14-16 Trikes...just depends on how far off Harley was on their tolerances.

On 2017 and up Trikes only the secondary mounting points should be used. This is because of the exhaust changes Harley made.

When using the secondary mounting points it actually LOWERS the shocks by 3/16 of an inch.

The myth that using the Convertible Comfort Lift™ raises the back of the Trike higher than the factory brackets is just that, a myth.

They actually lower the back of the Trike 3/16" compared to the factory brackets.​

Why do we recommend the Convertible Comfort Lift for the 14" shocks on 2017 and up Trikes?

1. The change in the angle will give a better ride quality

2. Harley tolerances vary wildly. Sometimes you can install the 14" shocks on the stock brackets. But the majority of the time, when trying to install the 14" shocks with the factory brackets, the swingarm will come into contact with the exhaust on the right side, resulting in not being able to install the shocks properly, and/or causing the swingarm to clank against the exhaust when topping out the shocks on a larger bump.

This is why we have the secondary mounting points for the 2017 & up models (you cannot use the primary for the 2017 & up models). The secondary mounting point is 3/16 of an inch Lower than stock.

The Math:

Stock brackets with 14" shocks = 1" higher (at the shock)

Convertible Comfort Lift with 14" shocks = 13/16" higher (at the shock)

Whether the 14.5" will fit with your factory brackets or with the 14" Convertible Comfort Lift™ will depend on what year trike you have, what side of the tolerances your particular HD was manufactured at, and how much sag the 14.5" shocks have.

Kevin

Thank you for your response Kevin. I have a 2016 Tri Glide so I'm not sure why you keyed on the 2017. I should have stated what year I am talking about. It seems that the lift does not lift the rear that much. If I am wrong, I welcome your comments.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thank you for your response Kevin. I have a 2016 Tri Glide so I'm not sure why you keyed on the 2017. I should have stated what year I am talking about. It seems that the lift does not lift the rear that much. If I am wrong, I welcome your comments.

When using the primary mounting points, it does lift the mounting point of the Trike about 1.25". (.25" from the Lift and 1" from the 1" longer shock) The primary mounting points should be used on 09-13 Trikes. They may also work on 14-16 Trikes...just depends on how far off Harley was on their tolerances.

I talked about the 17-up also, more actually, because that is where the misunderstandings are larger.

When you say "It seems that the lift does not lift the rear that much" Which Lift Kit are you referring to, did you use primary or secondary holes, and where are you measuring...at the shock or at the end of the slip-ons?

Kevin

 

[PanheadSteve]

Kevin,

So if I’m reading your post correctly those of us with 17+ trikes will need to choose between ride quality or ease of steering. I’ll bet there is a lot of misunderstanding about this. You might consider adding some of the details of your post to your product pages.

i’m in the process of going from your comfort lift in the first hole with 13” shock. The steering is so much easier than stock but ride quality sucks. I was under the impression by going to 14” quality shocks with your lift kit, I would keep the steering improvement and get better ride quality.

This thread has been a real eye opener.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin,

So if I’m reading your post correctly those of us with 17+ trikes will need to choose between ride quality or ease of steering. I’ll bet there is a lot of misunderstanding about this. You might consider adding some of the details of your post to your product pages.

i’m in the process of going from your comfort lift in the first hole with 13” shock. The steering is so much easier than stock but ride quality sucks. I was under the impression by going to 14” quality shocks with you lift kit, I would keep the steering improvement and get better ride quality.

This thread has been a real eye opener.

Yeah, it is on my "to do list" to change all the wording on the Convertible Comfort Lift™ Kits.

There is a conscious (or subconscious) assumption that "Primary" is better than "Secondary" when referring to the two different mounting points.

Not sure what wording I will use to distinguish the two different mounting positions, but the key is that they both exist to accommodate Harley's variances in manufacturing between the different years.

ALL Convertible Comfort Lifts™ will increase the height of the rear of the Trike when used with the matching shocks. How much they increase them is dependent on Harley's inconsistent manufacturing, but they ALL raise the ride height.

Raising the rear of the Trike reduces the rake, which results in requiring less handlebar input to turn the front wheel. There is an in-depth article on this subject at this link- https://www.dkcustomproducts.com/me...ifts/comfort/Understanding_Rake_and_Trail.pdf

Addressing your questions-

On a '17 (and up) Trike there are 2 choices when going with a 14" shock-

1. Use the stock shock mounting brackets. This will raise the rear of the trike, resulting in easier steering, and will also give a better ride quality because of the better shocks. Unfortunately, because of HD's inconsistent manufacturing tolerances, the 14" shocks may or may not fit with the stock bracket...and there is no way to know without trying it.

2. Use the 14" Convertible Comfort Lift™. This will raise the rear of the trike, resulting in easier steering, and will also give a better ride quality because of the better shocks AND because of the Improved Angle the shocks are mounted at.

The 3/16" difference between the factory brackets and the 14" Convertible Comfort Lift™ brackets is indistinguishable in riding to 98% of riders.

Steve, the following does not apply to you with your '17.

To further muddy the waters...on '19+ Trikes they come with HD's super stiff coil over shocks. These shocks do not have any (or very, very little) sag. On of the reasons they ride poorly is because they have very little sag, not allowing for proper damping when hitting an irregularity in the road. BUT, because they don't have sag, they also sit higher in the rear.

Then, when a person puts better shocks on their Trike (that have the appropriate amount of sag), they see the rear of the Trike sitting a bit lower, and wonder, How can this be? I put 14" shocks on here, along with a Lift, and it is sitting lower (or about the same) than it was when I had the factory 13" shocks on here.

Well, it is a little trick Harley played on their Customers. They have the rear sitting nice and high, which makes the steering easier, which makes it easier to sell the Trikes.

It is not until after the Trike is sold that a person rides a bit and realizes the rear shocks are horrible. Then they replace them with a good pair of shocks (13" or 14"). The ride quality is greatly improved, but if they did not maintain/slightly increase the rear ride height (with a lift on the 13" shocks, and probably a lift with the 14" shocks) the steering is more difficult.

Even if they do keep the ride height the same, there is only going to be an improvement in ride quality, with a near static dynamic (because the increase in ride height is minimal) in steering input.

Hope that helps.

Kevin

 

[PanheadSteve]

Thanks for taking the time to post this Kevin. It helps a lot.