When you drive a Ultra Classic Harley Davidson do you have to adjust shocks for a rider for a long trip? Rider is 194 lbs.

Your shocks should always be set so that there is enough bounce in them to give you a smooth ride, but tight enough to stop you losing your rear on a corner. Here's how to adjust the three types of shocks typical to a Harley.

• Air shocks

Elevate your Harley using a lift so the rear clears the floor and take off any saddlebags from the bike. Find the shock's air valve on the bike's left-hand side close to the fender and unscrew the cover.

Check the pressure using a 'no-loss' air pump and make a note of the reading.
Fine-tune the pressure until it sits between ten and 35 lbs. Take off the pump and tighten the valve cover. You can now put your saddlebags back on.

• Spring shocks

Like with the air shocks, lift the bike and take off your saddlebags. Use a wrench making sure the indentations in the adjuster ring are at the base of the shock. Rotate the adjuster clockwise to relax the ride and counterclockwise to strengthen it. Alter both sides equally to preserve a stable support for the rear. Replace your saddlebags.

• Softail shocks

Again, lift your Harley Davidson so the rear wheel is off the floor. The shock adjuster plate is found at the rear end of the shock absorbers.

Rotate the adjuster lock screw counterclockwise a couple of times or so with a spanner. Use the wrench with the indentations fixed into the adjuster plate. Rotate the plate, one complete rotation at a time, clockwise to relax the bike and counterclockwise to make it harder.