Been thinking of lowering my '03 Wide Glide. Are the standard shocks 12"? I think I remember someone saying the Progressive 11" shocks would lower a WG 1", but I'm not sure. Also, is it necessary to do the front as well? Does that require a new set of shocks for the front suspension also? Thanks..

 

Hi Mark,

I believe the standard length on my 01 WG was 12 5/8 in....

I put Progressive 412's on my scoot last year.....the 11 1/2 in....I've had no issue's with it at that height.....

As far as your front end is concerned....No, it's not necessary to lower the front end, however, your scoot will handle a little differently. If you don't like the handling, you can always slip your tubes up to lower the front end.....or you can do what I did, and that is to put Progressive lowered springs in, I do have to say, the bike handles much better with those progressives in.

Respects,
Ed

 

A shock length of 1" less will give you more then a 1" drop. It has to do with the geometry of the swing arm.

 

Stock shocks are 12.5" I lowered my 2000 FXDL down to 11" and it was too low for me. I bottomed out coming out of my driveway and it wasn't pretty and felt like I was sliding off the bike...I put a set of 12" shocks on there and it seemed like a good compromise. Other people say that 11" are fine...

 

Stock '03 Wide Glide shocks are 12 5/8" and you can't slide the fork tubes up in the triple trees like you can on the newer ones.

 

Your right Murph, ya can't slide those tubes......my bad....

Respects,
Ed

 

I think it is less than an inch of drop due to the shock being angled and not perpendicular to the ground(geometry)

 

I made the mistake of having my stock shocks cut to lower my Wide Glide. The work was fine but I did not like the ride. Subsequently, I purchased a set of Fox Racing Shocks that HD use to sell as their lowering kit. I love them. I think they are 11.75" which is not quite an inch shorter than the stock 12 5/8 and they do lower the bike about an inch. I bought them used on ebay. They are chrome and look fabulous. They will work on your 03. Some of the new Progressive designs are sharp and if I had the coin I might go with them. Steve

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You have to consider all the geometry, including the fact that the axle is further back on the swingarm than the lower shock mount and the fact that the swingarm has to rotate upward, notraise vertically,for the shock mount to meetthe shorter shock.Also consider that the angle of the shorter shock will be slightly different than the longer shock due to the swingarm rotating about the pivot shaft.
The axle, being further back on the swingarm, travels a greater distance upward than the shock mount on the swingarm when you mount the shorter shock.
Going from a 12 5/8" shock to a 12" will lower the top of the rear fender directly above the axle real close to 1".

 

Dont you wish you could go to a shock store that sold shocks like shoes?
"here, try these on and see how they fit"