Lowering the front end??
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,071
Likes: 89
From: NEPA
Lowering the front end??
I have a 90 FXR with a wide glide front end, which was on it when I bought it. I want to lower it and I was wondering if anybody out there has experience with the fork lowering kits. What are the good ones on the market? How big of a job is it?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,395
Likes: 2,596
From: NC USA
And you can spend big bucks on "progressive" what-the-heck ever, but ALL coiled push-type springs ARE progressive. Shorter you compress them, harder they are to compress - simple as that
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
In this case... the cheap ones are the good ones. The only thing you're doing is installing shorter springs to lower them about 1 1/2"
And you can spend big bucks on "progressive" what-the-heck ever, but ALL coiled push-type springs ARE progressive. Shorter you compress them, harder they are to compress - simple as that
And you can spend big bucks on "progressive" what-the-heck ever, but ALL coiled push-type springs ARE progressive. Shorter you compress them, harder they are to compress - simple as that
Standard springs are 'single' rate and have uniform coil gaps. As they compress under load their spring rate remains constant. Progressive-rate springs have coil gaps which get progressively tighter. As they compress their spring rate progressively increases, to resist further compression.
When shortening either front or rear suspension the travel is reduced. So progressive-rate springs are a good idea and should give an improved ride and comfort.
The damping on Harley forks is not very good, so as well as using progressive-rate springs, consider using Race Tech emulators, which will improve damping.
Any Harley can be improved by using better quality suspension at both ends. When lowering a bike it is even more important to use quality hardware if you want a comfortable ride! The company called Progressive Suspension Inc can supply progressive-rate springs as well as good quality lower rear shocks, as can Hagon and probably others.
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,071
Likes: 89
From: NEPA
Thanks for the advise guys. I'm just looking into it for now. I might leave it where it is at. I'm just waiting for my wife to make up her mind if she wants her own bike or not. If she gets her own, then this thing is getting slammed, if not then I'll keep it as it is.
All I have left is the small details like this, the paint and then its done. I'm riding it this year so it will have to wait for December to get painted
All I have left is the small details like this, the paint and then its done. I'm riding it this year so it will have to wait for December to get painted
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 17
From: The Frozen Tundra
If you're undecided try the free mod...
Raise the bike up and lower your forks about an inch to an inch and a half in the trees, (what ever your handlebars will allow) and go from there.
Raise the bike up and lower your forks about an inch to an inch and a half in the trees, (what ever your handlebars will allow) and go from there.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,071
Likes: 89
From: NEPA
Cool I'll try that first
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Just passing along my experience as we just finished installing a new 39mm front end on my 93 FXR during a total rebuild. Prior to that, the bike sat pitched upward in the front. New triple trees were plated at Brown's, new Frank's fork tubes, a Progressive lowering spring kit set at 1", new HD chrome lower legs 20wt Belray fork oil and most importantly, Racetech's Gold Emulator valves. There is a night and day difference with these changes. The bike now sits level, is stable at speed (85mph) and with the Emulators the rebound is much better.
We now have a suspension that works. If you decide to make any of these changes, do your homework first. Frank actually shipped his standard length FXR tubes that were longer than the stock HD tubes. Shipped them back to have them set at 25 3/8" that worked out perfectly. Be careful with purchasing catalog fork tube parts as different brands come in different lengths for the same applications. Good luck with your choices.
We now have a suspension that works. If you decide to make any of these changes, do your homework first. Frank actually shipped his standard length FXR tubes that were longer than the stock HD tubes. Shipped them back to have them set at 25 3/8" that worked out perfectly. Be careful with purchasing catalog fork tube parts as different brands come in different lengths for the same applications. Good luck with your choices.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kbore
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
1
Aug 8, 2009 08:58 AM
