Firstfives.org

There are grooves cut in the Bilstein shock tube to allow a snap ring. That ring holds the lower spring rubber / plate, effectively a choice of ride height positions.

Why might one set of shocks have two such slots, another set five ?

Anyplace to check serial #s for HD, Sport, cheesy cush econo ?

Thank you,

I believe sports have 5 grooves. As far as ID'ing what you have, most I've seen are either stamped with a P/N or at least one out of the two will have a sticker still remaining on them. From there the internet is your friend. It should be something like P36-2323.

Checking Bilstein web site the two slot shock part numbers closely match HD's. Sports appear to only be available as fronts any more, and all photos on any sales sites I've seen are too teeny to see details.

What's weird, I'm sure I purchased HD's however long ago. That's why the question about five slots. It may turn out I got a few Sports from Mr. Booboo the old order filler guy.

For fun, if the shocks have slots for the spring position 2" to 5" to choose from, the 1.25 shorter lowering spring can't be a critical compression / travel deal.

T.Hanson wrote: For fun, if the shocks have slots for the spring position 2" to 5" to choose from, the 1.25 shorter lowering spring can't be a critical compression / travel deal.

That would be true if all of the springs in question had the same loaded/compressed at rest length. I think that the topmost perch rests are for springs of much higher rate and shorter lengths.

Critical, however, is of course in the eye of the beholder. The operating term is probably "best compromise" rather than "only acceptable."