Lowering a Wide Glide
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Lowering a Wide Glide
When I take my front end apart this winter, I am going to replace the fork springs. I plan on going with Progressives. I noticed they have springs that will lower the front end an inch or two. If I do that, I plan to replace my shocks, and drop the back end an inch as well.
If I drop the rear an inch, is it just a matter of swapping the shocks out, or will I need to do other mods to deal with reduced fender clearance or anything else?
If I drop the rear an inch, is it just a matter of swapping the shocks out, or will I need to do other mods to deal with reduced fender clearance or anything else?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
stock length for your wideglide is 12.6" going to an 11.5" should be fine clearance wise. If you go to an 11" shock you could run into problems with your belt guard hitting the fender. Progressive warns of this specifically for the wideglide. They include a warning paper and diagram showing where you will need to cut the rear fender to avoid this.
The progressive kit for lowering the front requires that the fork legs be disassembled. Plan on taking the lowers off the downtubes to install the included springs that lower forks either 1"or 2".
The progressive kit for lowering the front requires that the fork legs be disassembled. Plan on taking the lowers off the downtubes to install the included springs that lower forks either 1"or 2".
Last edited by rounder; Nov 22, 2008 at 11:00 PM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
I'm putting chrome lowers on this winter, so I figured I may as well swap out the stock springs while I have everything apart. I keep seeing the reference to 1" or 2"... that's even what Progressive says. So, which is it? Is it a choice I get to make when installing them?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
I'm putting chrome lowers on this winter, so I figured I may as well swap out the stock springs while I have everything apart. I keep seeing the reference to 1" or 2"... that's even what Progressive says. So, which is it? Is it a choice I get to make when installing them?
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
2" is too much! Since you ride 2 up, you don't want anything shorter than an 11.5 shock in the rear. That's 1 inch lower. You can leave the front end stock height and still lower the rear and be fine if you wish. What makes a big difference is fork oil. Thicker oil keeps the forks from being "spongy". Screamin Eagle Fork oil has a pretty good rep. If you find your jiffy stand is keeping the bike too upright, you can get a 1" under stock style jiffy stand through j&p cycles for around 100 bucks. I have one and it works fine on my bike....granted I ride solo, and use 11" Progressives in the rear, and raked out the front to level the bike out. 
~Joe
~Joe
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 805
Likes: 6
From: Burb of Chicago
I lowered my front end with prgressives 1 in. and put a set of 11.5 in 440's on the rear with no problems on my 01 Wide Glide. Didn't change out the stand, although I will say when parking on some slopes it does become tricky.
Respects,
Ed
Respects,
Ed
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 2
From:
Mine is set up like yours wescoot2. 440's in rear, and 1" up front with progressive springs. No problem with stand sittin bike too straight, but same as you, it's sometimes different on slopes (no big deal). I love this set up, rides killer!