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Rear lowering shocks?

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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 05:54 PM
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Default Rear lowering shocks?

Does anyone make rear lowering shocks for an early 70's ironhead. I cant find any for that era.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:06 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

Did you check out Progressive? They have a lot of different styles. I also saw an ad in one of my biker magazines for a company that shortens shocks by cutting the spring, but you have to send the parts to them. I'll see if I can dig up the info and post it for you.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2008 | 07:17 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

Do a search for "sportster shocks" on e-bay. you will find what you want. Or you will at least see
the progressive&nbsp\\;ones and get a guestiment of prices
 
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Old Jun 25, 2008 | 05:07 AM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

I cant find anything on ebay that works on bikes before 75. What was the big change, all the sportster rearends look the same to me. Seems like any set couldbe modified to work. Any thoughts?
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 02:02 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

Other not usually thought of options include FLH shocks ( I run them) and corvette air shocks for&nbsp\\;70 to 78&nbsp\\;corvettes. ( around $60 a set anywhere Monroe or Gabriel). Both will lower your bike. Both bolt right up.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 02:31 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

be real careful about lowering it.The rear tire will rub.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 04:20 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

ORIGINAL: pitbull1

be real careful about lowering it.The rear tire will rub.
I lowered mine 1 1/2 inches with no rub running stock wheels.
Could likely go another inch or two if I wanted, but the 1 1/2 inch set her perfect for my tastes.
Problem most people have is wanting to run too wide a tire on the rear.
So the statement should have been-&gt\\;\\\\\\;
"be real careful about lowering it.The rear tire MIGHT rub if not done correctly."
&nbsp\\;
BTW- the beauty of running the corvette air shocks is you can set it just right for all situations and they are cost effective. The down side is the corvette air shocks are usually ugly bastards, but can be painted to color coordinate.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 04:33 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

hay horse, what size tire you running??
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 06:26 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

110-90-18 rear on stock aluminum Sportster wheel ( wire spoke). A 120-90-18 would likely be ok &amp\\; just fit,&nbsp\\;but I like good clearance rather than a barely fits set up.&nbsp\\; I was running a 130-90-16 and it rubbed a bit with stock shocks and worse with the lowered shock set up.
The 18 looks better in my opinion and the narrower &amp\\;&nbsp\\; "more stock" sized tire tracks&nbsp\\;better too.
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008 | 06:48 PM
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Default RE: Rear lowering shocks?

ORIGINAL: Horse13

ORIGINAL: pitbull1

be real careful about lowering it.The rear tire will rub.
I lowered mine 1 1/2 inches with no rub running stock wheels.
Could likely go another inch or two if I wanted, but the 1 1/2 inch set her perfect for my tastes.
Problem most people have is wanting to run too wide a tire on the rear.
So the statement should have been
"be real careful about lowering it.The rear tire MIGHT rub if not done correctly."
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
BTW- the beauty of running the corvette air shocks is you can set it just right for all situations and they are cost effective. The down side is the corvette air shocks are usually ugly bastards, but can be painted to color coordinate.
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
"My statement should have been"..Huh..lol.Do you make a habit of telling people what they should have said Horse?That's kinda&nbsp\\;wallyworld to tell someone they can lower an early 70's Ironhead Harley Davidson with a corvett air shock.I got a grand that says you can't lower a stock early 70's Ironhead 3 inches without it scrapeing.You said you lowered yours 1 1/2 in and can go 2 more.That's bs.Unless you have a roller skate tire on the back of yours.lol.CDS.I lowered my 75 1 1/4 inch.stock tire size is 130/90/16.It was just fine my riding single but with the old lady up my back tire rubbed the rear strut mounting bolts on the inside of the fender when I hit small bumps in the road.Tore several chunks out of it.My rear tire is a stock size.I'll stand by my statement to watch lowering the ironhead.Course that depends on the particular scooter.Mine is a 75 with the ends of the strut mounts inside the rear fender.I assume yours is similar.
 
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