I am considering lowering the rear end of my '07 Street Bob, but was wondering if it makes any difference to just lower the rear shocks vs. both forks and rear shocks. I would like to keep the stock height out of my forks if I can.

 

Yes you con lower the rear without doing the front.

 

I lowerd just the rear on my 10' SB with a 1.75" lowering block... Took it off after a 100 miles, didn't like the way the bike handled.... I will sell the kit to you if u wanna try it for cheap...

 

Lowering only the rear will slow your bikes turning capabilities and give you less front tire bite for cornering. High speed stability might improve somewhat, but that's not a problem to begin with.

Furthermore, shortening the travel at either end of the bike will have a negative effect on ride comfort and speed over bumps.

I went the opposite direction and lengthened my rear shocks and kept the front end at stock height. Much better cornering, more clearance for more lean, way better ride in the rough and high speed stability is still great.

Lowering is for looks, so if that is your only goal, then do whatever you want. Ditto for apes.

 

I lowered the rear first and it did affect the handling slightly. Lost some of the "trail" and was not quite as solid at low speeds. I lowered the front with Progressive springs and all is right in the world!

 

have to disagree with the speed stability ! my bike at stock height felt like the front end was getting light at about 80-85 now that I have lowered the bike with 1" shorter shocks and a 2" drop in the front the bike is solid, no front end lift even at 100 ! not that I have done that....well more than once.... ! lol !!

 

If you're just doing the rear, I recommend at least changing fork oil to the heavy duty oil.

 

Its not necessarily bad doing just the rear. It just depends on what you want your bike to do. I personally prefer a less raked stock stance, and tend to stick with the longer rear shocks is better crew. Much more nimble handling.

To me a lower rear only numbs the handling too much. If I were to lower a bike I would do both ends equally and keep the frame rails level. Thats best for handling in my book. And handling on a good lowered bike and handling on a good setup long shock bike are 2 completely different worlds. The long shock ride will outcorner and handle andy lower bike no matter what. Better lean angles, rake and trail numbers, and bump handling will be worlds better on the long shock setup with prepped forks (correct preload/ springs/oil/ valving (Ricor Intiminators)

But they sure do look hott slammed down low......

 

Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!

It gets so boring riding with softail and lowered bike riders. I ride a mile and slow down to wait them to appear in the rear view mirror, repeat, repeat.

 

if I was worried about being bored with my handling I would have bought a Ducati ! lol ! low and slow is cool enough for me ! besides my bike corners just fine for the way I ride, it may scrape some chrome off the bottom of the pipes but if your looking at that your to damn close to my bike anyways !! need to slow down and enjoy the ride brother, it ain't about who gets there first in my book !