How to increase ground clearance?
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
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How to increase ground clearance?
First off, I know my street bob will never handle like my race bikes. I find, however, that the bob is capable of leaning further than the pegs/exhaust will allow it to. I am looking for more clearance to allow the bike to be able to keep a better pace in the twisties. I have been looking at taller rear shocks as well as changing the exhaust to a higher clearance style. Has anyone here done something similar to what I am looking for? Thanks.
David
David
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,360
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From: Davie, FL
RE: How to increase ground clearance?
teethandnails; never handle like my race bikes. Which is true due to the frame design not being stiff enough as well ashaving rubber mounted motor/trans/swingarm. You can get great results by changing some components to get as much as you can out of your bike. At the same time you can also enhance the ridability of your bike by making it as smooth as your race bikes once you change the suspension settings (adjustability).
To do this you must to the logical. Get rid of the HD junk suspension & put a for real front end, rear shocks, and brakes on it. I use carbon fiber wheels for much, much better cornering, ride quality, increased acceleration and better braking due to less rotating mass and stiff wheels (4.6 lb front VS 46 LBs for the stock front fatboy rim). I did not do my Dyna but I did build my current FXR and also my Bagger (124ci w/radial brakes, inverted front Superbike forks, rear shocks, C/F wheels and got rid of the ruber bushings and made them out of DelrinÂŽ). Good luck. You are one of the first to write about performance before looks. Maybe you know how to ride?
To do this you must to the logical. Get rid of the HD junk suspension & put a for real front end, rear shocks, and brakes on it. I use carbon fiber wheels for much, much better cornering, ride quality, increased acceleration and better braking due to less rotating mass and stiff wheels (4.6 lb front VS 46 LBs for the stock front fatboy rim). I did not do my Dyna but I did build my current FXR and also my Bagger (124ci w/radial brakes, inverted front Superbike forks, rear shocks, C/F wheels and got rid of the ruber bushings and made them out of DelrinÂŽ). Good luck. You are one of the first to write about performance before looks. Maybe you know how to ride?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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RE: How to increase ground clearance?
ORIGINAL: FastHarley
You are one of the first to write about performance before looks. Maybe you know how to ride?
You are one of the first to write about performance before looks. Maybe you know how to ride?
There are performance oriented people on here, but since a Harley was not built to act like a sport bike and will never perform at that level they don't usually boast about .5 second increase they got adding raising or adjusting.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 1
From: NZ but live in Dorset, England
RE: How to increase ground clearance?
ORIGINAL: FastHarley
You are one of the first to write about performance before looks. Maybe you know how to ride?
You are one of the first to write about performance before looks. Maybe you know how to ride?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 1
From: MA
RE: How to increase ground clearance?
ORIGINAL: teethandnails
First off, I know my street bob will never handle like my race bikes. I find, however, that the bob is capable of leaning further than the pegs/exhaust will allow it to. I am looking for more clearance to allow the bike to be able to keep a better pace in the twisties. I have been looking at taller rear shocks as well as changing the exhaust to a higher clearance style. Has anyone here done something similar to what I am looking for? Thanks.
David
First off, I know my street bob will never handle like my race bikes. I find, however, that the bob is capable of leaning further than the pegs/exhaust will allow it to. I am looking for more clearance to allow the bike to be able to keep a better pace in the twisties. I have been looking at taller rear shocks as well as changing the exhaust to a higher clearance style. Has anyone here done something similar to what I am looking for? Thanks.
David
It is possible to spend some serious $ on suspension. I was horrified the first time I grabbed a handful of front brake and the stock front end dove 5 inches. I have replaced the front and rear suspension with better (and longer) components and find the difference is night and day. Most people don't want to go longer - most don't like the look.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
RE: How to increase ground clearance?
First of all crank up your stock shocks to thier highest setting.That will give you an idea of how your bike will feel with slightly taller and firmer suspension.If you like that and you want more just buy a better quality shock in the stock length or slightly longer.Since you will get a bit more clearance if your front doesn't compress as much think about stiffer springs, thicker oil, cartridge emulators or progressive springs up front.Taller tires can give you a tiny bit more and also moving your forks down in the triples until they're flush with the tops may help as well.Used Electraglide shocks while not quite ideal will give you a bunch more cornering clearance as well as a really smooth ride for very little money.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,101
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From: The Left Coast
RE: How to increase ground clearance?
ORIGINAL: SPECIAL ED
and also moving your forks down in the triples until they're flush with the tops may help as well.
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and also moving your forks down in the triples until they're flush with the tops may help as well.
.
Kent