Öhlins STX 36 Blackline Shock Absorber Harley Davidson VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special (2007–2016)⟲ 360° — drag me
02 · Data & docs

The facts.

Technical data
BrandÖhlins
Part NumberHD 781
FitmentHarley Davidson VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special (2007–2016)
Road ApprovalABE (Germany)
Mounting PositionHinten
Length325 +5/-5 mm
Stroke68 mm
Spring Rate30 N/
Piston Diameter36 mm
Spring Part Number00181-05
DescriptionThe whole story▼

Fitted to the Harley Davidson VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special (2007–2016), the Öhlins HD 781 replaces the standard unit outright. The difference shows up in the second half of a fast road, when the standard unit has warmed through.

Key Features

  • Gas-pressurised monotube damper with the reservoir integrated into the body
  • Delivered with a 30 N/mm spring, selected for the VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special
  • Adjustable overall length for ride-height and geometry changes
  • Adjustable rebound damping via the knob above the lower eyelet
  • Öhlins spring 00181-05 included
  • Built to 325 +5/-5 mm installed length
  • Monotube damper layout
  • Damping piston: 36 mm

Damping and Adjustment

Öhlins uses a 36 mm piston here: more area, lower oil velocity, less heat generated for the same force. Öhlins gives 325 +5/-5 mm of length adjustment, which is the cleanest way to alter the VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special's attitude. The spring carries Öhlins number 00181-05 and can be exchanged for a different rate without replacing the damper. Stroke is 68 mm, which is the travel Öhlins has to work with on this linkage. Compression and rebound are adjusted independently, so support under load can be set without changing how fast the wheel returns. The two adjusters do genuinely separate jobs, which is what makes methodical setup possible.

Fitted to the VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special

A 1250 cc machine of this type sits in a specific weight band, and Öhlins picks the spring rate for that band rather than for the platform. This part number spans model years 2007 to 2016; earlier and later generations take different numbers. A cruiser is often ridden two-up with luggage, which is the load case the standard suspension rarely handles well.

The STX 36 Blackline in Detail

Servicing is identical to the standard STX 36. On a retro or a classic twin the black finish often looks more period-correct than gold, and nothing about the damping changes. The finish suits classic and retro machines where chrome and black dominate.

Materials and Manufacture

Materials read unremarkably on paper — aluminium, steel, nitrogen — and the difference lies in how precisely they are made. Shafts are hardened and surface-treated so the seal has a consistent surface to run against. Service parts stay available for years after a part number leaves the current price list.

Fitment and Compatibility

Öhlins part number HD 781 is the correct number for the Harley Davidson VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special as built 2007–2016. Nothing about it is generic — the mounting dimensions alone rule out a different model.

Road Approval

Road approval: the Harley Davidson VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special is covered by a German ABE for this part number. The certificate is supplied and should stay with the vehicle documents.

Specifications

  • Brand: Öhlins
  • Part Number: HD 781
  • Fitment: Harley Davidson VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special (2007–2016)
  • Road Approval: ABE (Germany)
  • Mounting Position: Hinten
  • Length: 325 +5/-5 mm
  • Stroke: 68 mm
  • Spring Rate: 30 N/mm
  • Piston Diameter: 36 mm
  • Spring Part Number: 00181-05
FitmentWhich bikes this fits▼
  • Harley Davidson VRSCDX 1250 Night Rod Special (2007–2016)
07 · Support

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