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[ultrarider123]

Thanks to lots of discussion here on the site and some great input plus some dickering (thanks again, Tom... ) I received a set of the premium, adjustable low profile HD shocks for Beauregard at a price I was very pleased with.  My goal was little output just in case I was not pleased with the change....accomplished.

Just a note to remind those that perform this surgery on their scooter:  The standard air shocks contain oil and need to be stored upright if you save them for any future purpose.  I have removed these before but, stupid me, this time around I laid the left side down flat on the garage floor as I walked around to get the box to put it in.  By the time I got back, it had already burped oil on the garage floor.  Not much but any leakage is a bad thing and requires replacement.  Good thing I like these new premium shocks....

Except for that hiccup, the removal and install went great.  It took me about 35 minutes to remove, cap the air tubing (just in case I wanted to put the stock shocks back) and install the new premium units.  Having the lift is a life saver.  I did a shock removal/replacement on my 09 SG without it and while it worked, it was a pain in the rear.

Some pictures of the change:  First up is the stock height.

[ultrarider123]

As this progresses, I have to confess in my haste (and since it was going so well), I inadvertently installed the money side, non-adjustable shock upside down.  I didn't notice it until I was putting that saddlebag back on.  It only took a minute to fix the error but shows just how easy it is to mess something up...I had a good laugh and thought just for fun I would proceed with the pictures here and see if anyone caught it (but decided against it... )

Pressing onward....primary side saddlebag removed and picture of the stock air shock

[ultrarider123]

I'm not making this an instruction sheet for removal/installation of shocks.  If you have never done this before, I suggest YouTube and any instruction sheet.  However, some tips to remember:

Relieve the pressure out of the stock air shocks before removing the tubing.  If you don't, you take the chance of oil escaping from the shock. 

Make sure to store the stock air shocks in an upright position OR plug the air holes with something that will not allow the oil to burp out

Have a good lift that can adjust in small increments easily.  With that in place, it's so much easier to relieve the pressure on the shocks prior to removal and to get the shock mount holes aligned with the shock with little or no effort.

I suggest keeping the stock air tubing along with the primary side Schrader air valve in place.  I plugged the tubing with a good, rubber tip in each with a micro zip tie to keep it in place and then zip tied everything out of the way and out of sight.  If I do decide to go back to the stock air shocks (unlikely), everything is still in place to complete the project easier.

Really, the only tools this takes besides the lift is a 3/4" socket and ratchet and, if you are truly "by the book", a torque wrench (before you ask, yes I do).

Here's the installed primary side premium shock
 

[ultrarider123]

This shows the height difference.  These low profile shocks lowered the bike by about an inch.  Not that much difference but I did have to realign my headlight a bit and I did recheck my drive belt.  Sitting on it and straddling it, that inch makes a difference to this 5'6" feller.  I didn't have issues when I had my boots on but that extra 1" lower was a nice addition.

Money side with new shocks installed

[ultrarider123]

RIDE:  Having these on the '12, I was familiar with their operation and adjusted these based on that experience.  Riding into work this cool morning, I noticed right off the bat NO wandering what-so-ever.  With the stock shocks, they seemed to "float" a bit which required a bit more effort maintaining your line.  I am used to this with the air shocks on all my prior touring scooters.  These, however, are a different animal.  It brought back the fond memories from my '12 in the way it handled, straight line performance and ride quality.  I took a different route into work this morning that had a few more bumps, dips and curves and yes, I made the correct change for Beauregard.  I will not be going back to the air shocks.....

[longlast]

Well done Howard, That was a good write up on your efforts. I'm glad it all turned out well for ya (mines one or two hiccups) and your happy with the end of result.

[FLSTFI Dave]

I figured you would like them Howard.

I hated the air shocks on mine, and changed right away to gas shocks, but as you know I went 13 inch as Im a bit taller.

[Chains]

Thanks Haired, now I will look for a 13 inch set if there out there. Sorry I didn't contact you when I went to Bushtec, I was headed to Princeton WV and had to keep on move.

[ultrarider123]

Hey Jim, I read your writeup on the visit to Bushtec and wondered why you didn't give me a shout.  Figured you had a short amount of time there and not enough for a visit...maybe next time.
You will like the shocks. I adjusted them a bit before heading home this afternoon with a bit less preload.  Boy hidee,  do I like these shocks.

Thanks for the help in deciding,  Dave.  Much abliged.

Thanks Pete. I enjoy tinkering on the scooter, glitches and all...

[King Glide]

If you like the premiums in the back add the premium kit to the front too.
You'll think you're in heaven.

[skycat]

You US guys must have real smooth roads, i couldn't wait to through the stock Street glide shocks in the bin.
On our bumpy country roads here in Sydney they are just to hard to the point of being dangerous.
I fitted a set of custom Ohlins 159 shocks setup for my weight, What a difference just fantastic.

If you decide another change you should try these.