some questions about 98 fatboy evo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 5
From: upstate SC
some questions about 98 fatboy evo
just got it a few weeks back and I'm wanting to make some changes. suspension first. this thing is slammed to the ground front and back. what is the standard height and where should I measure at? as it is now when I push down on the forks I get maybe a 1/2 inch of movement and about the same or a hair more on the rear and it still has the standard kick stand on it and I'm afraid it may fall over lol. so I want to rise it back up a little as it also ride hard like a brick rigid tail.
next would be handlebar cables. I have these monster 1 1/4" Johnson/beach bars on it that make it somewhat hard to move around in parking lots and other small places. I pick up some drag bars and risers. how do I measure for cable length? whats on there now will be way too long after the drag bars are installed.
next would be handlebar cables. I have these monster 1 1/4" Johnson/beach bars on it that make it somewhat hard to move around in parking lots and other small places. I pick up some drag bars and risers. how do I measure for cable length? whats on there now will be way too long after the drag bars are installed.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
The hardest part will be finding the correct tubes to go with your bike.
Call Robs used Harley parts and see if they have any OEM ones.
The rear should have adjustable shocks and you just have to adjust them to the shortest possible and that should set you at stock height.
As for your handle bars put the new ones on then take a tape measure and go from where you are to where they have to go.
That will tell you what size to order.
Pictures would help.
Call Robs used Harley parts and see if they have any OEM ones.
The rear should have adjustable shocks and you just have to adjust them to the shortest possible and that should set you at stock height.
As for your handle bars put the new ones on then take a tape measure and go from where you are to where they have to go.
That will tell you what size to order.
Pictures would help.
Last edited by texashillcountry; Aug 19, 2018 at 02:13 PM. Reason: used wrong word
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 5
From: upstate SC
The hardest part will be finding the correct tubes to go with your bike.
Call Robs used Harley parts and see if they have any OEM ones.
The rear should have adjustable shocks and you just have to adjust them to the shortest possible and that should set you at stock height.
As for your handle bars put the new ones on then take a tape measure and go from where you are to where they have to go.
That will tell you what size to order.
Pictures would help.
Call Robs used Harley parts and see if they have any OEM ones.
The rear should have adjustable shocks and you just have to adjust them to the shortest possible and that should set you at stock height.
As for your handle bars put the new ones on then take a tape measure and go from where you are to where they have to go.
That will tell you what size to order.
Pictures would help.
Last edited by gonzosc1; Aug 19, 2018 at 05:19 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 19
From: Wisconsin
most likely they are a spring kit in the front and yes it should extend out* when you put it on a lift.. I have a set of stock springs that are barely used for the front...what rear lowering kit is it in the rear??Progressives?
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I didn't even think about how the front would be slammed. I don't know if they just used a spring drop kit or changed the tubes! guess I'll find out soon enough haha. I have not had it on a lift yet so I don't know how far the forks extend, if it was just a spring lowering kit like a burly or progressive would the tubes fully extend when its on a lift? would hate to have nice chromed out tubes that I couldn't use. do you have any idea on the stock ride height? and where to measure that? only pic I have at the moment
Both of my bikes are lowered in the rear a bit so that my short *** legs will reach the ground when I sit on it.
If you have a Service Manual or Owners Manual it might give you the stock seat height.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,116
Likes: 7,640
From: Poolville
The frame will sit approximately 5" of the ground, maybe a 1/4" more when sitting stock and upright.... The front springs most likely are progressives and the use a plastic plug to set the front ride height. I believe I used a 3 1/2" plug on top of mine when I replaced the springs. It actually picked it up a 1/2" over stock. As for the rear, if they are adjustable shocks you want to adjust them so that the curved part of the swing arm is even with the top and bottom of the frame.. Sort of like matching the curved sections..
Last edited by 98hotrodfatboy; Aug 20, 2018 at 06:23 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 5
From: upstate SC
The frame will sit approximately 5" of the ground, maybe a 1/4" more when sitting stock and upright.... The front springs most likely are progressives and the use a plastic plug to set the front ride height. I believe I used a 3 1/2" plug on top of mine when I replaced the springs. It actually picked it up a 1/2" over stock. As for the rear, if they are adjustable shocks you want to adjust them so that the curved part of the swing arm is even with the top and bottom of the frame.. Sort of like matching the curved sections..
I looked at the fork lowering kits and see the plug you are talking about. depending on which kit it is I should be able to just add a little longer plug to raise it up some. I like the lowered look so I think I will just bring it up a little at a time to find where the ride smooth's out and go with that setting. what is the plug made of in the forks? PVC? looks that way!
Thank
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 119
Likes: 5
From: upstate SC
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
ok thanks for that. 5", its a starting point. the rear shocks appear to be adjustable as I look at them through the frame. lots of threads showing on the stem towards the back of the bike and I can see the lock nut and the larger long adjustment nut. looks like a light copper/brass colored hardware setup and what little of the shock body I can see also has the same light copper/brass color if they are the stock shocks from 98 I will get some newer ones and just which over the lowering links to the new ones.
I looked at the fork lowering kits and see the plug you are talking about. depending on which kit it is I should be able to just add a little longer plug to raise it up some. I like the lowered look so I think I will just bring it up a little at a time to find where the ride smooth's out and go with that setting. what is the plug made of in the forks? PVC? looks that way!
Thank
I looked at the fork lowering kits and see the plug you are talking about. depending on which kit it is I should be able to just add a little longer plug to raise it up some. I like the lowered look so I think I will just bring it up a little at a time to find where the ride smooth's out and go with that setting. what is the plug made of in the forks? PVC? looks that way!
Thank
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post