Shorter Rear shocks
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
I was thinking about lowering the shocks but I'm 215lbs and I ride 2up a lot. I was also wondering If you would be able to separate the stock HD shocks and cut 1" off the coil and reassemble? Any thoughts on that?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 1
From: Abingdon, VA
I am SERIOUSLY considering the lowering blocks...as the price is definately right. I just don't know a lot about them. It seems as though they would change the shock angle of the stock shocks. This may not be an issue at all......just don't know. Anyone got any thoughts?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
A shorter shock has less travel. Lowering the longer shock does not eliminate all of the travel. It changes it a little due to the geometry change though. I bottomed out a couple of times 2 up. Once was because i forgot to change the preload when I first lowered it. I left it on 3 instead of moving it to 5. 3 is the setting for solo average size guy. I'm 275lbs. And my rider was North of 150 plus had some gear. I shredded the taillight wires. Once I set it to 5, I only bottomed out once. It was loaded the same and hitting a bad bump in a turn. The left shock was loaded on the turn. I rerouted my wires to the side of the tire instead of over the top also. Never had problems with them again. The reason I took the blocks off is because I am embracing the handling of the FXDX more now. I also ride a lot more 2 up with gear. The wide and I do some longer trips and form lost out to function. It doesn't look as good, but I can tear up the mountain roads better.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
I am SERIOUSLY considering the lowering blocks...as the price is definately right. I just don't know a lot about them. It seems as though they would change the shock angle of the stock shocks. This may not be an issue at all......just don't know. Anyone got any thoughts?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Here's what a set of lowering blocks looks like mounted up. Mine were just the 1" Tamarack blocks, but the principle is the same. They do lower the bike but as mentioned, you need to remember to add some preload to the springs to avoid bottoming out. I eventually had to switch to shorter shocks because the result of moving the bottom of the shock rear wards meant that in order to run saddlebags I had to either mover them way back or mount then away from the fender to clear the shocks. If you have throw overs, its a non issue as you can just bend out the brackets a bit, but if you have hard mounted bags, the blocks might be a bit of an issue.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, NM (USAF)
I bought a set of used FXDB 10.5 eye to eye shocks for $90 and they are perfect.
Just like these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARLEY-DAVID...item2a155c8980
Just like these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARLEY-DAVID...item2a155c8980
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 829
Likes: 27
From: NC
No problem. I pm'd you back. I was short as well. Some guys like the 412's some will admit that they ride like crap compared to stock. I think the guys who say they don't just don't want to admit it since they spent the money on them. When you jump up to the other models, the ride is better. I'm not sure how they go in order, but they have the 418, 430, 440 and 970. The 970 is definitely top of the line and more of a sport shock, not lowering. A little info on you, your bike and how you rise will help too. Are you a bigger guy, do you ride 2-up and what length shocks do you have now and what year bike?
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