lowering a dyna
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: florida
lowering a dyna
OK guys, i really need some expert advice on this one. my daughter is looking to buy a used dyna and because she is only 5' 2" tall we need to lower the bike about a inch so she can put her feet flat on the ground when coming to a stop. what i need to know is if i install the progressive springs in the front end do i just buy 1" shorter shocks for the rear and most of all how is that going to affect the ride and handling of the bike? is the bike now going to bottom out when hitting a bump or scrape the pipes when into a hard turn, she weighs about 135lbs. need to know quickly as we are going to look at a few Monday 4/20/2015. thanks Dan
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 18
From: OREGON
Yeah, it will be more apt to bottoming and scraping in fast corners compared to a bike that hasn't been lowered, with the same weight rider. Likely, neither of those two things will she ever have to deal with due to her light weight.
I have lowering blocks for a Dyna, if you'd rather not buy new rear shocks. If give ya a deal on them since I'm not using them. They are freshly powder coated. Look great. PM me for details, if you're interested.
I have lowering blocks for a Dyna, if you'd rather not buy new rear shocks. If give ya a deal on them since I'm not using them. They are freshly powder coated. Look great. PM me for details, if you're interested.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 70
From: Sierra Foothills, California
Sounds like you have already made up your mind, but FYI I am 5-2 and didn't have to lower my bike. I just wear boots with 2.5 inch heels, got the super reach HD seat and moved the bars back toward me a little bit. Fits me great.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 214
Likes: 80
From: Florida
I would just buy the burly slammer kit. Comes with everything ya need to lower front and rear. Plus I believe the shocks are made by progressive. It shouldn't bottom out, however, when you lower a bike, you reduce the amount of travel. This will result in a stiffer ride.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
If you get a newer Dyna, you can lower the front just by loosening the the clamp bolts, and sliding the forks further up in the trees. Unlike using shorter springs in the front, this way, you won't lose any suspension travel.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 146
Likes: 2
From: slatington, pa
First thing, lowering a bike will hurt your lean angle. That being said I lowered my dyna with progressive 11" 430s. The ride is stiffer and with her weight any lowering kit/shocks will be stiff. I would stay away from lowering blocks bc you can bottom out the rear tire on the fender. 11" shocks still have stops so that is much harder to do. I would try just rear shocks 1 inch shorter and see how that fits her if it needs to go lower then u can get a drop in kit thats adjustable with a pvc tube. Another thing to think of is if the bike is lowered front and rear yiu will either have to modify the jiffy stand(grind down the tab) or buy a shortened one. Good luck whichever you do im sure she will love a dyna.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 542
Likes: 4
From: Louisville, KY
I'm 5'-4" with no inseam and I lowered my Low Rider with the $99 11" solid chrome shocks off of eBay. That gained me about 1" under stock. They ride just amazingly well too with never a hint of bottoming out at my weight! I pulled the fork tubes up into the triple trees about a 1/2" more as well. Also I went with a stock Street Bob solo seat which has a low profile; hard after about 50 miles but sits you low to the frame.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 829
Likes: 27
From: NC
I would just buy the burly slammer kit. Comes with everything ya need to lower front and rear. Plus I believe the shocks are made by progressive. It shouldn't bottom out, however, when you lower a bike, you reduce the amount of travel. This will result in a stiffer ride.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 196
From: Boise, ID
No worries about the shocks bottoming out. I am more than twice her weight & I'm running Burly Slammer shocks in the rear. Adjust the preload and everything is fine. If for some reason it does bottom out nothing should rub. Yes lean angle will be reduced, but not too bad.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: North Metro Indianapolis
I lowered my Fat Bob (Glide) with 10.5" Burly Slammers and left the front alone. My ole lady is about that same size and she can sit flat-footed on my bike now. Doesn't ride it though. She has her own bike.
Didn't mess with the jiffy stand, but I do have to lean the bike to the right every time I lower or raise the stand. No big deal. It's habit now, but I do make sure my right foot isn't on loose gravel before the lean.
Didn't mess with the jiffy stand, but I do have to lean the bike to the right every time I lower or raise the stand. No big deal. It's habit now, but I do make sure my right foot isn't on loose gravel before the lean.