Lowering stock shocks
Lowering stock shocks
I have been doing a lot of research on lowering my 93 heritage. I purchased a HD manual and the only thing it says you can do to the shocks is adjust the preload. My question is, is there a way to adjust the rod end coming out of the shock to raise or lower my ride height, or do I have to spend the money and buy a longer rod end. I figured I'd ask the seasoned veterans on here before I tear Into it and disappoint myself. Thank you in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Longer rod end will lower the bike but it will compromise your ground clearance. In NZ we have some fairly bumpy roads and I have seen several Softies that have smacked their shocks on the ground and dented the covers. In a couple of instances this has resulted later on in the mounting bolt failing as one shock cannot extend fully.....just making sure you are fully aware of the implications. You may have smooth roads and no corners, which may make for boring riding but it reduces the risk a fair bit.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Spanners, in my modest experience of riding and driving in the States there is no such thing as a smooth road, in fact they are some of the worst I've ever come across. Our visit to H-D's Centenary celebrations was the inspiration for improving the ride quality and suspension of my ole Glide. You'd reasonably think that with their love of wheels, they'd be ace road builders and repairers......
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 138
Likes: 4
From: wisconsin
no seasoned vet here. but I bought and installed this kit off ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/89-99-HARLEY...#ht_6620wt_758
I lowered mine about 1 1/2 inches and its been working good so far. Good quality parts......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/89-99-HARLEY...#ht_6620wt_758
I lowered mine about 1 1/2 inches and its been working good so far. Good quality parts......
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,736
Likes: 1,524
From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Spanners, in my modest experience of riding and driving in the States there is no such thing as a smooth road, in fact they are some of the worst I've ever come across. Our visit to H-D's Centenary celebrations was the inspiration for improving the ride quality and suspension of my ole Glide. You'd reasonably think that with their love of wheels, they'd be ace road builders and repairers......
Ones in FL were dead straight and very good...boring but smooth!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I was there back in the '80s, on a hired FLT, but don't recall anything special about road conditions. The experience of riding 3,5k miles in '03 is etched permanently on our butts..... 
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I don't know how many miles you have on your Heritage, but in my experience, after 50,000 miles your stock shocks are most likely shot anyway.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
That kit looks like the kit I used. It lowered mine right down. There is not much for travel now though. It's damn near a hard tail. I have scrapes on my shocks but not any dents as of yet.
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