Lowering Heritage
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Lowering Heritage
Is there a lowering kit for the new Heritage? On my 2013 Fatboy I had the lowering kit installed at purchase which I suppose made it similar to the Fatboy Low. Bottom line I had good ability to flatfoot while sitting. Fast forward to now and my Mustang seat, Wide touring, just came in and my initial perception is the seat brings me up maybe an inch. I could flatfoot the stock seat but want and need a driver's backrest, (bad back). I know there is a preload on the rear shock and I'll have to check where it's set. I suppose the preload is to adjust rebound of the shock depending on planned weights.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
I did a search and JP cycles sells the Progressive 465 mono shocks in various lengths and either standard or heavy duty. Some have a remote preload adjuster, some pre-set. It appears that they go from standard height to as much as 2" lower. I put Progressive 940 on my 11 FLHTK and was very happy with them. They were also selected because they lowered the rear 1". I know that lowering any suspension part will limit lean angle and 2" might be an extreme. I'm not a lean it way over type rider and never had significant issues with the touring or Fatboy being lowered other than an occasional footboard light scrape. That does get a passenger's attention.
EDIT; The Progressive 465 come in 4 lengths, from 13.5 to 12.2. 13.1 being stock height. On the surface the 12.2 would seem to be the best for lowering BUT is lowering the rear that amount without lowering the front going to cause odd or unstable riding conditions. The lengths are 13.5, 13.1, 12.6 and 12.2. The note on the Progressive site says each length changes the axle height by 1". My Fatboy was only lowered in the rear using the HD Softail lowering kit and was fine. But a different animal.
EDIT; The Progressive 465 come in 4 lengths, from 13.5 to 12.2. 13.1 being stock height. On the surface the 12.2 would seem to be the best for lowering BUT is lowering the rear that amount without lowering the front going to cause odd or unstable riding conditions. The lengths are 13.5, 13.1, 12.6 and 12.2. The note on the Progressive site says each length changes the axle height by 1". My Fatboy was only lowered in the rear using the HD Softail lowering kit and was fine. But a different animal.
Last edited by Chunker; Jul 17, 2019 at 08:26 AM. Reason: Adding
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 1,029
From: East Flanders - Belgium
I lowered my FXBB myself with altering and fabricating some parts on the oem shock, it sits 3/'4" lower and that is enough since I'm a lean over guy and allready hit the road now with my V&H big radius.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Do you have any experience with the shorter shock or know someone who does? As yet I have very few miles on the Heritage, weather here is uncomfortably hot, but it'll get better I hope.
EDIT, just found the low profile shock in the parts specific to the bike. Lowers 3/4" which would be good and priced at $390. Now I need to find one of those online dealers with 20% off like used to get stuff. Installation says "refer to service manual" so not sure at this time what's involved in putting it on.
Last edited by Chunker; Jul 17, 2019 at 10:48 AM. Reason: Adding
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I put the Harley stock Deluxe shock on my ‘18 Heritage, which is about an inch shorter, just as an experiment mostly for looks. It was around $230. There are zero effects on handling and pretty minimal on lean angle lowering just the rear, but it’s also a pretty small change visually and footing wise. Ride was a tad harsher, but nothing bad.
It is a noticeable height difference, but not sure it would be enough for your needs. If you do the labor yourself (pretty easy in about an hour) it’s also cheap if you have the tools and service manual. If you don’t have that, it’s probably cheaoer to have the dealer do it. You do need to adjust the headlight angle.
Front and rear lowering would likely be more significantly noticeable.
Another cheap option is to have your seat narrowed a bit. This will give you better reach to the ground.
I’m putting the stock shock back on for a 2-up road trip in a few weeks. If I realize I prefer the stocker, I might consider selling the shorter shock if you’re still interested at that time. Has about 6,000 miles of use on it.
It is a noticeable height difference, but not sure it would be enough for your needs. If you do the labor yourself (pretty easy in about an hour) it’s also cheap if you have the tools and service manual. If you don’t have that, it’s probably cheaoer to have the dealer do it. You do need to adjust the headlight angle.
Front and rear lowering would likely be more significantly noticeable.
Another cheap option is to have your seat narrowed a bit. This will give you better reach to the ground.
I’m putting the stock shock back on for a 2-up road trip in a few weeks. If I realize I prefer the stocker, I might consider selling the shorter shock if you’re still interested at that time. Has about 6,000 miles of use on it.
Last edited by Thingfish; Jul 17, 2019 at 10:59 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
I put the Harley stock Deluxe shock on my 18 Heritage, which is about an inch shorter, just as an experiment mostly for looks. It was around $230. There are zero effects on handling and pretty minimal on lean angle lowering just the rear, but its also a pretty small change visually and footing wise. Ride was a tad harsher, but nothing bad.
It is a noticeable height difference, but not sure it would be enough for your needs. If you do the labor yourself (pretty easy in about an hour) its also cheap if you have the tools and service manual. If you dont have that, its probably cheaoer to have the dealer do it. You do need to adjust the headlight angle.
Front and rear lowering would likely be more significantly noticeable.
Another cheap option is to have your seat narrowed a bit. This will give you better reach to the ground.
Im putting the stock shock back on for a 2-up road trip in a few weeks. If I realize I prefer the stocker, I might consider selling the shorter shock if youre still interested at that time. Has about 6,000 miles of use on it.
It is a noticeable height difference, but not sure it would be enough for your needs. If you do the labor yourself (pretty easy in about an hour) its also cheap if you have the tools and service manual. If you dont have that, its probably cheaoer to have the dealer do it. You do need to adjust the headlight angle.
Front and rear lowering would likely be more significantly noticeable.
Another cheap option is to have your seat narrowed a bit. This will give you better reach to the ground.
Im putting the stock shock back on for a 2-up road trip in a few weeks. If I realize I prefer the stocker, I might consider selling the shorter shock if youre still interested at that time. Has about 6,000 miles of use on it.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Just removed the seat and looks like one T-50 Torx, one 3/4", one T-27 Torx, one zip tie. Probably less than a 1 beer job. I suspect I'll have to lift the frame but I have a motorcycle lift for that if necessary.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Yeah thats about it. The manual wants you to remove the rear fender which was easy enough, but Ive seen people post you dont need to if you have the right extension for your ratchet. Some blue locktite for reassembly. The lift just helps you line up the mounting bolt hole.