custom rear lowering kit
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
From: Grand Rapids, MI
custom rear lowering kit
i was just wondering if anyone has built a custom lowering kit for their bike? I have a 85 fxsb. i would like to build my own, but not sure about what that entitles.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
I only know of two ways to lower the rear, either with shorter shocks, or alternatively using the existing shocks with lowering blocks of some sort. There is a thread over in Touring from someone who has suffered a broken swingarm from using lowering blocks, which it seems is quite common, so that doesn't seem a good idea!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 640
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From: Hickory, NC area
I've thought about this as well since the ones in the catalog look really simple for my application. I have a friend with a really good Miller welder and can't see any reason why I couldn't just build some for about nothing. It looks like all you are doing is adding an extension that allows you to move the lower shock bolt down and back a bit - maybe an inch or two. Seems very straightforward but I haven't had time to track it down. I do wonder if it would cause more rubbing and such when riding two up. Also, I wonder how it would effect the cornering.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
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From: North Atlanta Area, GA
I've thought about this as well since the ones in the catalog look really simple for my application. I have a friend with a really good Miller welder and can't see any reason why I couldn't just build some for about nothing. It looks like all you are doing is adding an extension that allows you to move the lower shock bolt down and back a bit - maybe an inch or two. Seems very straightforward but I haven't had time to track it down. I do wonder if it would cause more rubbing and such when riding two up. Also, I wonder how it would effect the cornering.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 27
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From: upstate ny
I made my own lowering brackets for my 94 flhtp...basiclly just move shocks back to lower bike about 2 inches works great, handles fine, just used some angle iron I had and a welder, grinder and sawsall...had to spend some time to get measurement but worked and a lot cheaper then the 60 buck set I found on line...also made my own tank lift kit that raised front of tank by 1.5 inches...saved another 45 buck on that and thats easy one...
have 2000 miles so far so future problems could crop up but nothing so far and it is nice to touch ground flat footed
have 2000 miles so far so future problems could crop up but nothing so far and it is nice to touch ground flat footed
Last edited by gofasted; Jul 1, 2010 at 10:54 PM. Reason: add info
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Being a shortarse I have never been able to flat foot a bike and after 40 years don't reckon I will ever! But I am amused that so many riders feel the need, especially as most of them are taller than me! I spend more time with my feet up than down. 
Just thinking out loud....
Just thinking out loud....
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, NC area
I have a set of Burly lowering blocks on Bertha. I like them a lot. No rubbing nor adverse handling characteristics that I've noticed - despite the "warnings" I've read on the 'net. They lowered the bike about an inch and a half, which made it a lot easier for me to put both feet flat on the ground. Probably tends to scrape sooner in hard cornering, but unless I'm riding two up I haven't scraped at all.
I don't really need them because of height - I'm 6'2" and flat foot my old glide no problem. I just like the looks of a slammed bike. I suppose I could just add a little extra air when the OL gets on - as long as she doesn't see me doing it!
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
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From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Being a shortarse I have never been able to flat foot a bike and after 40 years don't reckon I will ever! But I am amused that so many riders feel the need, especially as most of them are taller than me! I spend more time with my feet up than down.
Just thinking out loud....
Just thinking out loud....
Well if ain't scrapin' once in a while then you ain't ridin' hard enough!
I don't really need them because of height - I'm 6'2" and flat foot my old glide no problem. I just like the looks of a slammed bike. I suppose I could just add a little extra air when the OL gets on - as long as she doesn't see me doing it!
I don't really need them because of height - I'm 6'2" and flat foot my old glide no problem. I just like the looks of a slammed bike. I suppose I could just add a little extra air when the OL gets on - as long as she doesn't see me doing it!
I got a double whammy by lowering Bertha's rear end - she looks slammed, AND I can sit flatfooted - thus maintaining the Cool Factor!
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
One time I was making a hard left with her onboard, and it scraped really hard. Scared the crap out of me because we were going south down the mountain twisties on GA 129 out of Blairsville, and if you run off that road, you're going down a ravine and hope you hit a tree to stop you! Fortunately, there are more trees up there than you could ever avoid...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
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From: North Atlanta Area, GA
I use the term "fortunate" rather loosely - but better to get stopped by a tree than plummet down a 200 foot ravine! Not that I wish to do either, mind you... which is why I ride as to NOT scrape!