Everything Softail Slim thread.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
Increasing Ground Clearance
Has anyone done this on their Slim? What did you do?
Absolutely love the bike, but I am finding the clearance a problem and have just 'lost' my right side scraper peg (under the foot board). I am starting to damage the rim of the board and the rear-most weld on the bottom of the frame. I'm not riding like a maniac, but not many straight and smooth roads in the UK!
I can see kits to lower the rear suspension, but nothing to increase it. I am thinking a longer rear shock (I think the fat Bob is 13.5" vs. The Slim's 12.5"). Not sure what height gain that would translate into at the foot board. Any suggestions / advice please?
Thanks, Mart.
Absolutely love the bike, but I am finding the clearance a problem and have just 'lost' my right side scraper peg (under the foot board). I am starting to damage the rim of the board and the rear-most weld on the bottom of the frame. I'm not riding like a maniac, but not many straight and smooth roads in the UK!
I can see kits to lower the rear suspension, but nothing to increase it. I am thinking a longer rear shock (I think the fat Bob is 13.5" vs. The Slim's 12.5"). Not sure what height gain that would translate into at the foot board. Any suggestions / advice please?
Thanks, Mart.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 317
Likes: 11
From: Arizona
You need another motorcycle.
Love the Slim. Don't own one, yet...but looking closely. You're finding the bike's limits...or rather...you've found them.
Levering oneself off the back tire after touching down on the frame will end in sadness.
"It's a Harley...not a sport bike". A good friend posted that reminder to himself on his speedo after he flattened the lower outside quadrant of his Road Glide exhaust after entering a curve too fast and nudging a wooden guardrail upright on a very twisty section of AZ 89 just a few miles outside of Jerome, AZ. He was lucky. Hard to get that lucky, twice. He is a very skilled rider...but that enthusiasm for cornering almost got him.
Love the Slim. Don't own one, yet...but looking closely. You're finding the bike's limits...or rather...you've found them.
Levering oneself off the back tire after touching down on the frame will end in sadness.
"It's a Harley...not a sport bike". A good friend posted that reminder to himself on his speedo after he flattened the lower outside quadrant of his Road Glide exhaust after entering a curve too fast and nudging a wooden guardrail upright on a very twisty section of AZ 89 just a few miles outside of Jerome, AZ. He was lucky. Hard to get that lucky, twice. He is a very skilled rider...but that enthusiasm for cornering almost got him.
Last edited by rnothog; Jul 8, 2020 at 08:19 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
"You're finding the bike's limits". Yep, I'm looking for any advice on how to improve on stock. There's plenty of interesting stuff on here about stage 1-4 engine mods and chrome / black accessories and handlebar swaps etc. I'm struggling to find much on this topic. I would welcome any advice.
"It's a Harley... not a sportsbike". I agree. I don't want a sports bike. I genuinely don't ride it like a sports bike. My other bike is a Royal Enfield 500 single, which doesn't ground out on bends, so it is possible to achieve, without being a sports bike. I'm not riding the bike particularly hard, I'm 170lbs, so not particularly heavy. The area I live is rural, but not particularly remote. It has some nice roads. So, I'd be surprised if I'm the first to experience this shortcoming and there should be a fix.
At the moment, the rear shock is on a preload set at 6 out of 7, to reduce sag. I'm learning towards a fatbob rear shock. But, I'm dubious it will have much affect on ground clearance?
Thanks.
"It's a Harley... not a sportsbike". I agree. I don't want a sports bike. I genuinely don't ride it like a sports bike. My other bike is a Royal Enfield 500 single, which doesn't ground out on bends, so it is possible to achieve, without being a sports bike. I'm not riding the bike particularly hard, I'm 170lbs, so not particularly heavy. The area I live is rural, but not particularly remote. It has some nice roads. So, I'd be surprised if I'm the first to experience this shortcoming and there should be a fix.
At the moment, the rear shock is on a preload set at 6 out of 7, to reduce sag. I'm learning towards a fatbob rear shock. But, I'm dubious it will have much affect on ground clearance?
Thanks.
Last edited by Mart; Jul 9, 2020 at 01:41 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh
I agree with you, Mart. I am by NO MEANS an aggressive rider in the corners. To be completely honest, I have never drug a peg before in my life and thought I never would. Until I got my softail slim... First time I had it out I went around a sharp bend and drug the right floorboard. Scared the sh!$ out of me having never done it before. I can see why you'd want to try to fix this as the bike really does drag on anything. As for me, I'll leave mine alone. Maybe it will keep me from riding like a crazy fool
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