Shocks to replace lowering blocks
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville, AL
Shocks to replace lowering blocks
Yes this is another shocks thread. Sorry guys.
I’m starting a new thread because this one has a story and a twist and I want as much input as possible.
The wife’s 2010 Street Bob had the apparently common rear fender cracking. Harley ordered the fender about 5 weeks ago and it came in Monday, dropped the bike off then, and picked it back up yesterday. All routine. Covered under warranty.
I’m not a big fan of this dealership; their attitude is usually less than desirable. However he shot me straight from the hip when we picked the bike up.
First the story behind the story....
It is my wife’s bike; she is "vertically challenged". So as soon as we got it, we lowered it with 2" blocks in the back and a 1" kit up front.
Well of course yours truly did the work, very simple. Well after installing the blocks I jumped on it and ran it around the block. The FIRST mistake I made was I forgot to check the shock settings and make sure they were on at least notch 4. Nope, they were on 1.... Hit a speed bump and it bottomed out and the bleeder valve put a little ding in the fender. Got it home, tightened up the shocks, and try to keep my big fat butt off of it. No big deal right?
Until yesterday. When I picked the bike up he said, THIS TIME its covered under warranty. He said that he didn’t believe Harley had changed anything with the Fender so more than likely in another 9 months to a year it would need a new fender. (Nice to know huh?)....
BUT then he said something that made me start this thread. IF I bring it back to the dealership for warranty work on the fender again, they will not do any work on the fender if they can find any damage on it due to the lowering blocks. I.e. where the bleeder valve hit the fender..... I completely understand this and am not putting them down. I really appreciate they fixed it this time under warranty.
So now...after all that. The Point...The punch line...The finale...
I'm going to lower the bike right.... Toss the blocks, and replace them with shocks (yes I can rhyme too)
.
So, best shocks for the money. Here is what I want....Throw them at me.
Black shocks (yes her bike is all black, blah)
Equivalent of that of a 2" lowering block
Possible adjustable settings? Not mandatory?
Good riding but stiff enough I don’t have to worry about the bleeder valve into the fender scenario again.
And finally.... BUDGET FRIENDLY!
Here I will add some cute lil smiley to liven this thread up a little....Might even add a pic!
:icon_wake :
I’m starting a new thread because this one has a story and a twist and I want as much input as possible.
The wife’s 2010 Street Bob had the apparently common rear fender cracking. Harley ordered the fender about 5 weeks ago and it came in Monday, dropped the bike off then, and picked it back up yesterday. All routine. Covered under warranty.
I’m not a big fan of this dealership; their attitude is usually less than desirable. However he shot me straight from the hip when we picked the bike up.
First the story behind the story....
It is my wife’s bike; she is "vertically challenged". So as soon as we got it, we lowered it with 2" blocks in the back and a 1" kit up front.
Well of course yours truly did the work, very simple. Well after installing the blocks I jumped on it and ran it around the block. The FIRST mistake I made was I forgot to check the shock settings and make sure they were on at least notch 4. Nope, they were on 1.... Hit a speed bump and it bottomed out and the bleeder valve put a little ding in the fender. Got it home, tightened up the shocks, and try to keep my big fat butt off of it. No big deal right?
Until yesterday. When I picked the bike up he said, THIS TIME its covered under warranty. He said that he didn’t believe Harley had changed anything with the Fender so more than likely in another 9 months to a year it would need a new fender. (Nice to know huh?)....
BUT then he said something that made me start this thread. IF I bring it back to the dealership for warranty work on the fender again, they will not do any work on the fender if they can find any damage on it due to the lowering blocks. I.e. where the bleeder valve hit the fender..... I completely understand this and am not putting them down. I really appreciate they fixed it this time under warranty.
So now...after all that. The Point...The punch line...The finale...
I'm going to lower the bike right.... Toss the blocks, and replace them with shocks (yes I can rhyme too)
. So, best shocks for the money. Here is what I want....Throw them at me.
Black shocks (yes her bike is all black, blah)
Equivalent of that of a 2" lowering block
Possible adjustable settings? Not mandatory?
Good riding but stiff enough I don’t have to worry about the bleeder valve into the fender scenario again.
And finally.... BUDGET FRIENDLY!
Here I will add some cute lil smiley to liven this thread up a little....Might even add a pic!
:icon_wake :
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
you could slim down her seat (change it out for a new one?)
that usually helps people reach the ground better
then you could do a cheaper set of progressive heavy duty shocks that are maybe only 1" lower
oh, and keep your *** off her bike
that usually helps people reach the ground better
then you could do a cheaper set of progressive heavy duty shocks that are maybe only 1" lower
oh, and keep your *** off her bike
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville, AL
She clames to be 5'4" but i think thats when she is in here riding boots....
And believe me. I try to stay off her bike. Doesnt fit me very well. Im 6'2" 235. That lil seat and mid controls dont do well for me......
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville, AL
Im not ruling Burley Slammers out. Not at all. HOWEVER, she rides more than a lot of people here on the forum. Not just a bar hopper, but 1,500+ mile trips are not uncommon....800 mile trips are made monthly. So i would like something a little more forgiving than the Burley kits....
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Im not ruling Burley Slammers out. Not at all. HOWEVER, she rides more than a lot of people here on the forum. Not just a bar hopper, but 1,500+ mile trips are not uncommon....800 mile trips are made monthly. So i would like something a little more forgiving than the Burley kits....
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 4
From: Huntsville, AL
Thanks for the input. WIll add them to the "strongly considering" category.....
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From: Vegas
[quote=Wyde Glyde Bry;8842613]you could slim down her seat (change it out for a new one?)
that usually helps people reach the ground better
then you could do a cheaper set of progressive heavy duty shocks that are maybe only 1" lower
***
I recommend not getting any Progressive heavy duty shocks. As a 5'6" lightweight myself, I can tell you that they're way too stiff (they're for near max gross load riders) ... I tried heavy duty 440's and now have the hand adjustable (11") 430's and like them.
that usually helps people reach the ground better
then you could do a cheaper set of progressive heavy duty shocks that are maybe only 1" lower
***
I recommend not getting any Progressive heavy duty shocks. As a 5'6" lightweight myself, I can tell you that they're way too stiff (they're for near max gross load riders) ... I tried heavy duty 440's and now have the hand adjustable (11") 430's and like them.
Last edited by TL03fxdl; Sep 21, 2011 at 09:52 AM.