lowering FXDB
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
lowering FXDB
if i were to go with 11" progressives in the back on my bike, would i have to lower the front accordingly? or can i lower the rear and leave the front stock to create kind of a crouched stance on my street bob?
would this mess with my handling/ride at all? i'm assuming yes, but i'm just wondering if this is a huge no no or if it's minimal.
thanks.
would this mess with my handling/ride at all? i'm assuming yes, but i'm just wondering if this is a huge no no or if it's minimal.
thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: long island.ny
it would throw the trail off a little. you would feel the difference. the front end might feel "lighter". its up to you. maybe try it. you can always just lower the front by sliding the fork tubes up through the trees a bit. i went with the prog 11" and lowered the front about 1/2" and it feels about right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,278
Likes: 1,138
From: southeast PA
I put 11.5" Progressives on my SB and did not lower the front at first, although I installed the fork spring kit. The front end does feel better, but it did not change the ride and handling except for the better. Recently I slid the fork tubes up 1/2" and it is a little better balanced, and I like that the bike looks more level.
The only drawback for me is that now I'm scraping more stuff in the corners. It's a toss-up between looks and handling. Just see how you like it and go from there.
The only drawback for me is that now I'm scraping more stuff in the corners. It's a toss-up between looks and handling. Just see how you like it and go from there.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
You'll need to lower the front to adjust to proper handling, I lowered my 07 Street Bob 0.5 inch with Progressive 430 without touching the front, I can feel the difference, so @ 1 inch lower you'll definitely suffer from unbalanced handling.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
I didn't change shocks, but I did lower my '08 Street Bob with 1" lowering "blocs" but originally I did NOT lower the front end. Couldn't figure out why I was struggling with the handling all summer, mostly in the twisty turnies until someone suggested I lower the front end. I did and the difference in handling was improved a lot. Someone also suggested that because I am short that when I lowered the back end only, the handling issue might have been more noticeable than it would have been for a taller person??? Not sure if that's so, but anyway, that is MY story!!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Augusta County, Virginia
I put 11" progressives on my FXDB. looks good. rides pretty good. doesn't handle too well. you want to tear up the twisty roads, buy a Buell.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
the worse thing you can do for handling is decrease the lean angle. That said, if you need 11" shocks, get works performance ones. At least the ride wont suffer as much. Also to maintain current handling traits you do want to lower the front. This will of course kill your lean angle and you'll scrape very easily. A lowered bike looks killer, performs bad. Your pipes will point down towards the back if you don't lower the front end, that will look stupid too.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: The Left Coast
I put 12" progressive 412's on the rear, which lowered it 1/2" from stock, no lowereing the front, I didn't notice much difference, but then again, I did this soon after purchase. I am looking into Progressive new quick front end lowering springs, check them out, they'll kower the front of a Dyna 1"
Progressive Suspension DROP IN Fork Lowering Kits about $106.00
Part # 10-2002
Progressive Suspension DROP IN Fork Lowering Kits about $106.00
Part # 10-2002
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
lower the front the same amount as you lower the rear.......if you don't your bike will want to track straight - you might think this is a good thing on the highway but in corners you'll notice the bike wanting to stand up and drift to the outside. I learned this when I slammed the back end of my sportster; really messed up the handling until I dropped the front too. I think the folks that have lowered the rear and not the front and claim not to notice the difference either do most of their riding on the freeway or just aren't paying attention - it's definitely noticable at 1" and will be more so the bigger the rear end drop.