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Lowering 1986 FLHT
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
Lowering 1986 FLHT
Hey Guys,
So, i just picked up this wonderful 1986 FLHT and it's running like a dream. However I am vertically challenged enough that my feet barely touch the ground and grabbing the kickstand is somewhat of a gymnastic act. Is there a way to lower the bike 1"-2" without getting into changing out the shocks. The mustang seat it came with is not helping but finding a low profile gunslinger for an 86 has not been very fruitful either. Will letting air out of the air ride lower the bike?
I am open to suggestions. I put burly slammer on my old bike I would just rather not have to deal with that again.
Any help will of course be greatly appreciated.
So, i just picked up this wonderful 1986 FLHT and it's running like a dream. However I am vertically challenged enough that my feet barely touch the ground and grabbing the kickstand is somewhat of a gymnastic act. Is there a way to lower the bike 1"-2" without getting into changing out the shocks. The mustang seat it came with is not helping but finding a low profile gunslinger for an 86 has not been very fruitful either. Will letting air out of the air ride lower the bike?
I am open to suggestions. I put burly slammer on my old bike I would just rather not have to deal with that again.
Any help will of course be greatly appreciated.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 115
From: Boston, MA
Seat. Most cost effective route may be to take the seat off and visit a local upholstery shop. The folks in my 'hood that can do this work are the convertible replacement shops.
Good luck,
Tom
Good luck,
Tom
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The air in your suspension supplements the springs, so lowering air pressure will mean you start bottoming out and is likely to spoil the ride. Being vertically challenged myself I recommend thick-soled riding boots, to give you a good solid grip when you put your toes down. Saddle time will improve your confidence. Been riding my ole lady since new and have never been able to get flat-footed, but that isn't all it's cracked up to be!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
this is the first time I have had a bike that i couldn't be flat footed. My Chopper I lowered with a change of seat and Burly Slammers. My old 76 FLH had a low profile seat on it so that wasn't an issue either.
I ordered a lower profile seat last night it should be here Friday. I also took it out today with my boots on instead of my sneakers and it was a little better, so i am going to assume with the new seat it should be fine.
Thanks for the advice.
I ordered a lower profile seat last night it should be here Friday. I also took it out today with my boots on instead of my sneakers and it was a little better, so i am going to assume with the new seat it should be fine.
Thanks for the advice.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,216
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From: Black Hills
Here's a little more info for you. I've been running the inverted swingarm for over 10 years. Some guys will freak out over it but it's been fine for me with over 40K miles on it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-swingarm.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...-to-lower.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...-swingarm.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/evo-c...-to-lower.html
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 211
Likes: 1
From: Brooklyn, NY
That is an interesting idea. It's a bit more work than i want to put into this as the bike is running and riding great. If the lower seat doesn't do it. I will get some burly slammers for it and that will do the trick. Having slammed my last bike (only the rear) i know how that feels and that it works.
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