Hey guys. So, I have a '13 street bob and want to change the stock 12" shocks to 11.5" standard progressive 444s. I'm also considering buying 1" or maybe even 2" lowering brackets for the rear only to get that high-front, slammed-rear bobber look. My 130 lb girlfriend often rides with me on weekends. So before I change anything, I'm trying to figure out how much lowering I can get away with without bottoming out and causing her discomfort. I doubt losing that half inch in the shocks will matter, but would losing an additional inch or two with a lowering kit drop it too much? Afraid of passenger clearance/comfort issues. Thanks in advance for any input!

 

Had this set up for years on my 10' using Burly Slammers, sitting on middle notch with no issues, between the wife and I we slam this at 300lbs total.

 

My wife lowered her '13 street bob with 11" 412's. She love the way it handles and looks now.

 

blueangel73, so just to be clear your bob had 11.5" 444s plus slammers and never bottomed out on bumps or anything? Do you know many inches your slammers were? And did your wife think the setup was more comfortable than stock? Thanks for your help!

 

I'm not sure of the actual length of shaft travel, but it's probably around 3-4 inches in comparison to spring under load being 12" that you stated. Decreasing the spring by only .5" would translate to very little loss in shock shaft travel. With progressive rate springs, and the shocks being aftermarket they probably also have a firmer valving as well. I don't think you have much to worry about.

 

I did this to mine, I'm 6 ft , 240, and sometimes ride double. Take your springs apart, cut ONLY 1, coil from each, put back together. It's free, easy, and will not change the ride quality whatsoever. People will tell you otherwise but that's because they cut too much out.

 

Iwent from stock shocks to Burly Brand Slammers, they measure 10.5", giving me a 1.5" drop from the stock 12". I believe the Burly Brand are made by Progressive, but I don't know which Progressive shock is the equalilant to the Burly's. My wife never road the stock shocks, so it would be hard for her to answer that, I do know she hate the vibs coming off the swing arm, but don't think that has anything to do with the shocks.