Shorter shocks vs Lowering Blocks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
I think you do some great powdercoating though, from the photos I've seen....
When asked for prices on shock shortening, rather than asking people to PM for a price, maybe you could answer on the forum. "PM for prices" means danger, at least to me, because other people can't comment on the price.
Maybe you could also explain how it's done, for us nerd technical types who need to know before making a decision. Do you shorten the springs, shorten the shaft, or what?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: Los angeles
I lowered mine with 1.5 inch blocks. I like the feel a little bit better actually. Never saw any diff in performance, but I'm not a hot dogger. Way cheaper, so if you don't like it you not out much $$.
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
I'm wonderin' about that, because I've managed to scrape the frame even with 12.5 inch shocks, and when you put hard parts against the pavement, you're pretty much done on cornering speed.
I think you do some great powdercoating though, from the photos I've seen....
When asked for prices on shock shortening, rather than asking people to PM for a price, maybe you could answer on the forum. "PM for prices" means danger, at least to me, because other people can't comment on the price.
Maybe you could also explain how it's done, for us nerd technical types who need to know before making a decision. Do you shorten the springs, shorten the shaft, or what?
I think you do some great powdercoating though, from the photos I've seen....
When asked for prices on shock shortening, rather than asking people to PM for a price, maybe you could answer on the forum. "PM for prices" means danger, at least to me, because other people can't comment on the price.
Maybe you could also explain how it's done, for us nerd technical types who need to know before making a decision. Do you shorten the springs, shorten the shaft, or what?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,918
Likes: 3,715
From: Hill Country, TX
A good pair of shocks are going to provide you with two very important things ground clearance, and a comfortable ride. First off, when you lower your bike with those short Burley shocks, you're decreasing your ground clearance. When you decrease your ground clearance, you will decrease the lean angle capability of your bike because something on your bike will contact the ground when you lean past a certain point (a lot sooner than a normal length shock). Case in point: my friend's custom chopper is slammed real low, and every time I leaned it past about 15 degrees left, the kickstand would drag on the ground. I thought the handling sucked, and my old FXR with an almost stock 80" Evo motor and suspension would eat his lunch on any kind of twisty road.
Secondly, the suspension travel on those 10.5" Burleys is close to nil. Without any suspension travel, your ride quality will suffer. If those shocks aren't absorbing those potholes, etc (when they bottom out) with their 1/2 to 1" of travel what do you think is? Your *** and your back are, that's what.
If you can even adjust those shocks compression and rebound damping (I don't think Burley has those adjustments) not to bottom out with their limited travel, you'll feel like you're riding a hard tail.
Let's face facts guys that slam their bikes way down to the ground are doing it for a certain look. Hell, I think it looks pretty cool too, but let's be realistic here they aren't doing it to improve the handling characteristics of the bike. The bike's handling and comfort levels are compromised. You just have to decide if it's right for you.
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
The Burlys do have adjustments. Now would I use them if I carried passengers? Probably not. To compensate for the extra weight you would have to dial them up I think which would mean a stiffer ride. I don't have to worry about that and I have them on the softest setting.
Last edited by Robbie13; Sep 24, 2013 at 06:05 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,918
Likes: 3,715
From: Hill Country, TX
The Burlys do have adjustments. Now would I use them if I carried passengers? Probably not. To compensate for the extra weight you would have to dial them up I think which would mean a stiffer ride. I don't have to worry about that and I have them on the softest setting.
I'm guessing that Burley has a "preload" adjuster, and not a compression/rebound (or sweep valve) adjuster.
The only thing a preload adjuster does is adjust your sag (ride height) on the bike. It doesn't affect compression or rebound damping in any way, shape or form.
I don't even know how you'd adjust the sag on a bike with only 1" of suspension travel…seems ridiculous.
Sorry, I'm not picking on Burley shocks in particular…just using them as an example in this case.
LOSER
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,719
Likes: 4
From: Williamston, NC
Robbie,
I'm guessing that Burley has a "preload" adjuster, and not a compression/rebound (or sweep valve) adjuster.
The only thing a preload adjuster does is adjust your sag (ride height) on the bike. It doesn't affect compression or rebound damping in any way, shape or form.
I don't even know how you'd adjust the sag on a bike with only 1" of suspension travel seems ridiculous.
Sorry, I'm not picking on Burley shocks in particular just using them as an example in this case.
I'm guessing that Burley has a "preload" adjuster, and not a compression/rebound (or sweep valve) adjuster.
The only thing a preload adjuster does is adjust your sag (ride height) on the bike. It doesn't affect compression or rebound damping in any way, shape or form.
I don't even know how you'd adjust the sag on a bike with only 1" of suspension travel seems ridiculous.
Sorry, I'm not picking on Burley shocks in particular just using them as an example in this case.
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I have used them with air shocks, coil over shocks and struts. Never had a problem.
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