lowering blocks are a recipe for disaster
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Yukon, Canada
I have been running 1" drop blocks with stock 12.5 shocks on my 08 FXD without trouble - solo or two-up. Shocks are set on the second to softest preload ( run them there solo or x2) and I am around 215 dressed to ride. Have yet to bottom out in 6000 miles of riding.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 5
From: long island.ny
shorter shocks will lower ride height and reduce swingarm travel but only on the upstroke. the shocks will still bottom out at approx the same point as oem shocks do. lowering blocks are a differant story. by changing the angle of the shock, they allow the swingarm to travel further when the shock is compressed sometimes causing interference with tires,fenders,wiring, brake calipers,etc. the solution is to install travel limiters on the shocks. just remove the springs from the shocks and reinstall them on the bike. then jack the swingarm up(or lower the bike) to the point where there is still enough clearance and nothing will hit. then measure and install the travel limiters,1/4',1/2',3/4"etc, and put the springs back on and your good to go.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
What about lowering shocks, does it make a differance? Just wondering if Lowering shocks would have the same down falls. Does the bike handle better or worse. Just trying to understand if theres a better way than lowering blocks, and are people doing this mod because it looks good, or because the bike is supposed to handle better.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Killeen, TX
You got your bike to handle better than a sport bike by slamming the rear end WITH BLOCKS?? The only way you're gonna run me over is if you try to chase me around a corner and your bargain basement drop job runs out of awesomeness, bottoms out and you go down. All I'm saying is don't share "information" with members when you obviously don't have anything useful to contribute.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Pekin,IL
Hate to reopen an old thread, but, I can't imagine you would call a Busa a sport bike, they are long and don't handle well at all, I did not say sportbike I said Busa, Yes those are 10 in shocks, Had a man cut them for me, and lowering the center of gravity will always make a bike handle better, you sir know nothing about geometry or Busa's.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Im 200lbs, and with 1" lowering blocks I scraped my wires (with my tire) and dented my rear fender on my rear brake housing. Now I have 11.5" shocks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
OMG do I have the story for you all about those lowering devices.
I was pleased with the height of the used bike I bought and the owner proudly showed me the lower kit, and the receipt.
The second day I owned the bike the wife and I went for a ride. Hit a railroad crossing and hit bottom. BTW the total weight was only about 350 pounds, I stand 5'6" and find it real hard to touch ground on most full dressers.
I got home and went to add some air and discover they require a special pump to add and check the pressure in the air shocks.
It wasn't until I applied the HD pressure pump did I realize my air shocks were blown. Old oil all over the swing arms. How did I miss seeing this ... well the saddlebags covered the area up.
I went to take off my saddle bags and discovered both had damage where the flattened air shock boot had forced a crack in both saddle bags.
The damage to the saddle bags included the entire bottom of one also. On the second day I owned the bike I looked at my f'ed up fiberglass bags and just about cried.
I bought the lower shocks and heard story after story about shock damage using the lower kits due to the incorrect travel and force from the original design. The sharper angle of the shocks when bolted a few inches to the back of the original mounts busted the entire bottom of the shock The mounted portion to the bolt was sheered off. Both shocks leaked out and were useless.
IMHO Do Not Use The Lower Blocks On Your Bike. Spend some money and get the lowered air shocks.
I was pleased with the height of the used bike I bought and the owner proudly showed me the lower kit, and the receipt.
The second day I owned the bike the wife and I went for a ride. Hit a railroad crossing and hit bottom. BTW the total weight was only about 350 pounds, I stand 5'6" and find it real hard to touch ground on most full dressers.
I got home and went to add some air and discover they require a special pump to add and check the pressure in the air shocks.
It wasn't until I applied the HD pressure pump did I realize my air shocks were blown. Old oil all over the swing arms. How did I miss seeing this ... well the saddlebags covered the area up.
I went to take off my saddle bags and discovered both had damage where the flattened air shock boot had forced a crack in both saddle bags.
The damage to the saddle bags included the entire bottom of one also. On the second day I owned the bike I looked at my f'ed up fiberglass bags and just about cried.
I bought the lower shocks and heard story after story about shock damage using the lower kits due to the incorrect travel and force from the original design. The sharper angle of the shocks when bolted a few inches to the back of the original mounts busted the entire bottom of the shock The mounted portion to the bolt was sheered off. Both shocks leaked out and were useless.
IMHO Do Not Use The Lower Blocks On Your Bike. Spend some money and get the lowered air shocks.