Lowering Blocks - Whos got em?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 347
Likes: 2
Lowering Blocks - Whos got em?
So I am studying the various rear lowering blocks available for my wifes 05 Super Glide. I keep looking at the Arlen Ness kit and the other various brands(Burley, Tamarack, White Bros, etc). To anyone that has either of these kits, could you take a picture for me of the lower shock mount so I can see how the block sits on the swing arm?
(If you are wondering...) The reason I am asking for this is that it appears that the Ness kit mounts to the swing arm with the center hole then has a rearward hole for the shock to bold to at the end of the block. The other brands all appear to mount to the swing arm at the end of the block, then the shock mount to the middle of the block. I want to confirm that since there is a $50 difference in price between the Ness kit and the other brands. If the block mounts to the swing arm via the center hole, this will not allow the block to pivot on the swing arm when the bike is jacked up, when it bolts to the end of the block and you jack the bike up, the block pivots up and the rear wheel hangs real low. I am just not a fan of this design. I had lowering blocks on my wife's old Honda Shadow and hated the design. It never seemed entirely safe to me.
(If you are wondering...) The reason I am asking for this is that it appears that the Ness kit mounts to the swing arm with the center hole then has a rearward hole for the shock to bold to at the end of the block. The other brands all appear to mount to the swing arm at the end of the block, then the shock mount to the middle of the block. I want to confirm that since there is a $50 difference in price between the Ness kit and the other brands. If the block mounts to the swing arm via the center hole, this will not allow the block to pivot on the swing arm when the bike is jacked up, when it bolts to the end of the block and you jack the bike up, the block pivots up and the rear wheel hangs real low. I am just not a fan of this design. I had lowering blocks on my wife's old Honda Shadow and hated the design. It never seemed entirely safe to me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 2
From: Texas City, TX
Are you sure you're not overthinking this, man? They're just blocks, regardless of price. All any of them are gonna do is move the lower shock mount further out. I understand what you're explaining, but you may be nitpicking... 
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 992
Likes: 1
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
I pondered the lowering blocks myself but everyone will tell you that shorter shocks are not that much more expensive and are probably an upgrade on the stock shocks so do what I did and spend about $200 on some lower Progressive 412's or something. Others will argue that there are much better shocks out there, and there are but if the objective is to lower the bike cheaply I would do it this way. I think the blocks will ruin your ride also. Just one man's opinion.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 2
blocks
Well heres my opinion....i have the shorter shocks and took them off and went to blocks...My ride is MUCH better with the stock shocks.U lose travel with the shorter shocks and do not with the blocks.I have never bottomed out solo or 2-up.I also lowered the front of the bike.I have the lbm blocks and love them.I would highly reccommend spending 50.00 on the blocks guys before 200.00 on the shocks just to find out ya dont like the ride.This is just my finding guys...
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 347
Likes: 2
This is my wifes bike. She will probably never have saddle bags on the bike. The bike never carries a passenger, so the lost weight capacity is no big deal with the blocks. I have read too many reviews on the cheap shocks and everyone says the same thing - too hard. That is one thing she loves about her Dyna, how "nice" (soft) it rides. (And to her a Cadillac rides nice and a sports car rides too hard, so a more performance based shock wont be better)
Yes, I want to be cheap, but at the same time, I was not 100% comfortable with the blocks on the Honda. I dont think there was really ever an issue with them on the road, but it was one of those things that bothered me.
Yes, I want to be cheap, but at the same time, I was not 100% comfortable with the blocks on the Honda. I dont think there was really ever an issue with them on the road, but it was one of those things that bothered me.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
If your not running bags and want to keep a soft ride while dropping the rear end, its awfully hard to beat the blocks. I bought the Tamarack blocks. After installing them on my bike, I find it hard to believe these things could ever fail. Its not like its a moving part...and just to mention, its about 3 times thicker than the stock location point. So I feel reasonably safe.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: fallbrook, socal
bottom line its the cheap (if not wrong) way to lower a bike.
Also make sure she inspects them often - a good area for fatigue and failure
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
So I am studying the various rear lowering blocks available for my wifes 05 Super Glide. I keep looking at the Arlen Ness kit and the other various brands(Burley, Tamarack, White Bros, etc). To anyone that has either of these kits, could you take a picture for me of the lower shock mount so I can see how the block sits on the swing arm?
(If you are wondering...) The reason I am asking for this is that it appears that the Ness kit mounts to the swing arm with the center hole then has a rearward hole for the shock to bold to at the end of the block. The other brands all appear to mount to the swing arm at the end of the block, then the shock mount to the middle of the block. I want to confirm that since there is a $50 difference in price between the Ness kit and the other brands. If the block mounts to the swing arm via the center hole, this will not allow the block to pivot on the swing arm when the bike is jacked up, when it bolts to the end of the block and you jack the bike up, the block pivots up and the rear wheel hangs real low. I am just not a fan of this design. I had lowering blocks on my wife's old Honda Shadow and hated the design. It never seemed entirely safe to me.
(If you are wondering...) The reason I am asking for this is that it appears that the Ness kit mounts to the swing arm with the center hole then has a rearward hole for the shock to bold to at the end of the block. The other brands all appear to mount to the swing arm at the end of the block, then the shock mount to the middle of the block. I want to confirm that since there is a $50 difference in price between the Ness kit and the other brands. If the block mounts to the swing arm via the center hole, this will not allow the block to pivot on the swing arm when the bike is jacked up, when it bolts to the end of the block and you jack the bike up, the block pivots up and the rear wheel hangs real low. I am just not a fan of this design. I had lowering blocks on my wife's old Honda Shadow and hated the design. It never seemed entirely safe to me.
Are you kidding? It sounds like you're planing to leave the bolts looose!
I've got these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-75-...Q5fAccessories
... they never 'pivot' when I raise the bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 628
Likes: 1
From: Bowling Green, KY
I had blocks and took them off for shorter shocks. I guess I'll find out how different the ride is. I'm not gonna sell the blocks yet just in-case I don't like the ride.
The year I rode with the blocks on I never had a problem at all. I took them off to go lower.
The year I rode with the blocks on I never had a problem at all. I took them off to go lower.