I have the 81 running well and the brake problems are solved. Putting some miles on it and the wife is still getting used to it in the parking lots and will soon take to the road since she completed her safety course last week. Thanks to all who helped out here in getting the problems ironed out.

What I need now are suggestions on lowering the bike. I'd like to get 2 inches at the most. The front isn't a problem but I can't find much for the rear and I'm sure people here have options I have not found. I was thinking shorter shocks but am not sure what to buy if that's the way to go.

 

Shorter shocks is the way to do it, but I'm guessing 2" shorter than stock is a bit too much. You will probably have fender interference problems, and if not, the ride will be very harsh with shocks that short (10.5"). The usual pick for relatively inexpensive shocks are the Progressive 412 series. I wouldn't go shorter than 11.5" if I were you.

 

I do not recall the stock shock length for 1979-on Sportsters. For 1978&prev it is 14-1/2 inches, and there is very little room for lowering - nowhere near two inches.

What is the length of the shocks on the bike now, center to center of the mount bolts/studs?

How much space is between the top of the rear tire and the inside of the fender?

The really low ones have been hard-tailed.

You might ask also in a Sportster Evo forum what they do for 1986 to 2003 as these have a similar frame [tho not as close as the 82-on frames, which are the actual precursors to the Evo frames].

 

Mick, the stock shocks on the '79-'81 models are 12.5", just like the later Ironheads and early Evos.

 

Right. I recall some now. When i had my 1980 i noticed that the shocks on a buddy's '74 were a lot longer, but i did not know the numbers. I do recall tho that i had a difficult time with slightly oversize rear tires - i could fit a 140-xx with great difficulty, and some xxx-90 would hit the fender over bumps.

I honestly do not know how guys get away with lowering these bikes - unless they ride only on smooth paved roads and do not have steep driveways. And i am a light weight 140 lbs.