Leaky rear shock

I found my left shock leaking on my 2001 fatboy. I Put H/D shocks on the bike when I bought it to lower the rear of the bike. Now the bike has about 18,000 miles and it seems that the left shock is leaking. My question is that what effect will that have on the bikes handling and also I have the original shocks that came with the bike can I just put a lowering kit on them to save on the dollars and how hard will it be to do conversion?

Leaky shock

Thanks for the advice Chuck, When you say proper tools I take it that you have done this before. Do you need to compress the shock when you dismantle it or just unbolt the stud and replace it with the longer one?

Removing the shocks of the bike is not a problem for me...

Hey Chuck, He Would Need To Make The Shocks Longer For A Softail, Vs. Shorter On A Swing Arm Right? On My Swing Arm I Just Looked In A Catalog And Copied Some Lowering Brackets,didn't Like The Ride So, Then Just Made Some Struts, Don't Like The Way A Swing Arm Sways And Moves In Turns.

I had the same problem with my RK. Absolutely did not like the way it wallered going into a curve and I also wanted to lower it a bit. My solution was Progressive 440's, not a cheap fix but a very effective one. You can also adjust the firmness on the road without tools. I lowered my seat height about an inch and riding two up I do not bottom out. You can lower it even more but I think you would be bottoming out if you did. AL

OK Chuck I bought the lowering studs for the 01 softail but in the instructions they are saying that you have to compress the shocks to do the job. I tried to remove the stud but that sucker won't budge. I never done this before so I don't know what to expect when I compress the shock. "JAZZ"

Just so you'll know Chuck, The shock has to be compressed to remove and replace the lowering stud. It was easy not complicated at all. Thanks for the respond Brother...

I have an 06 RK Custom that I crashed a few months ago :gah: . It's all put back together but seems that the rear end wanders more that usual on uneven pavement. I took it back to the shop and they went thru it from the front wheel to the back wheel re-torquing everything but didn't find any one thing out of spec, but a little here and there out of torque. I have about 4,000 miles on the rear tire.
Question:
I am suspecting that one of my shocks are leaking but can't figure out how to trace it other than using soapy water on the connections and look for bubbles.

I'll have to spring for $40 bucks on a air pump...but I need one of those anyway.

Am I on the right track? Or does anyone have a suggestions?

Thanks

Don't no much about road kings but if they are air shocks you could probably check them with a tire air gage after a run. First check them before you go out make sure they both are equal then check them when you come back if one has less pressure then maybe that's the one that's leaking... Maybe??? Good luck "JAZZ"

buddy, does your bike have rubber mounts for the engine. if so the rear one could have been damaged in the crash, but still look ok. but under stress of riding a crack or tear will give enough to effect ride.

OK on the rubber mounts. When I took it back to the shop they did find that the motor mounts were not loose but out of torque spec. I'll investigate the damaged rubber mount. That makes sense. I guess that you can keep re-torquing but if the mount is cracked it will just wiggle loose. Correct?

there are a coulpe companies that sell a stabilizer that hook to the transmission and frame with a yoke that still isolates the engine vibrations, yet hold the frame and engine stable. i was just reading about it. it looked like a straight forward install. pull some bolts out of the trans. install one part, bolt the other part to frame, add the third part. and all done. i just can't find the mag. they are on page 563 of the new j&p catalog ,the one with the cop bike on front.