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Lower front fork tubes= better handling?

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  #11  
Old 04-23-2019, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Peter Quinn
M J, Sliding the trees down the stanchions will have no effect on compliance damping or handling.All that changes is the ride height and posture.
Pretty sure your undoubted experience with dirt bikes is playing a part here.To evaluate this process requires a visual of your Harley in the garage.
Just requires a stopper block and 3/8' allen key to test it.
It does reduce trail. You need to lower the rear to keep the trail the same.
 
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Old 04-23-2019, 07:19 PM
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Thanks for the feed back, Im leaning towards Ledgens up front for now, Don't think I'll slide my tubes up the triple trees.
 
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Old 04-23-2019, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Max Headflow
It does reduce trail. You need to lower the rear to keep the trail the same.
His rear is already lowered. He's got a RGS with 12" shocks. If he lowers the front, he should have the same geometry as a RGU with 13' shocks.
 
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Old 04-23-2019, 09:09 PM
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Originally Posted by flstcbob
His rear is already lowered. He's got a RGS with 12" shocks. If he lowers the front, he should have the same geometry as a RGU with 13' shocks.
Don't know who has RGS shocks in this discussion but if only lower the front, you reduce rake and trail a little. Handling changes.
 
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Old 04-23-2019, 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Peter Quinn
M J, Sliding the trees down the stanchions will have no effect on compliance damping or handling.All that changes is the ride height and posture.
Pretty sure your undoubted experience with dirt bikes is playing a part here.To evaluate this process requires a visual of your Harley in the garage.
Just requires a stopper block and 3/8' allen key to test it.
It changes the steering geometry. Whether it was enough for you to notice or not, it changes both trail & rake.
 
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Old 04-24-2019, 06:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Max Headflow
It does reduce trail. You need to lower the rear to keep the trail the same.
Hd puts 12" shocks on the specials and does not lower the front. Geometry was not a concern to them to get the slammed look. Having said that one needs to lower the front forks 1" to return to the geometry that the 13" shock touring bikes have.
 
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Old 04-24-2019, 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Redrodyankneck
Hd puts 12" shocks on the specials and does not lower the front. Geometry was not a concern to them to get the slammed look. Having said that one needs to lower the front forks 1" to return to the geometry that the 13" shock touring bikes have.
Having 12 inch shocks on the back, increases the trail and rake over 13 inch shocks.
 
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Old 04-24-2019, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Max Headflow
Having 12 inch shocks on the back, increases the trail and rake over 13 inch shocks.
More reason to lower the front, these bikes already have lots of trail 6.8 inches for the stock Street glide special with 12" shocks. 6.7 for the stock ulta limited with 13" shocks ,not much difference.
 
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Old 04-24-2019, 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Peter Quinn
I have been riding My 2017 SGS for two years with the front end lowered 1/2" through loosening the triple tree bolts and sliding them lower, it can make no change to handling , suspension travel or damping. It sure makes it easier to stabilize when you stop with a pillion on back.
Just dont take it past 3/4" or the lower Triple could dent the top of the fender!
I'm giving this some thought, fairing has to come off or just moved to the service position?
 
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  #20  
Old 04-25-2019, 10:07 AM
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The faring stays where it is.Just place a block under front of the crankcase with a gap equal to your lowering requirement with the bike vertical.
loosen the triple tree clamp allen keys until it rests on the block Retighten the bolts.Take it for a fast ride and be convinced that the 1/8" change in rake length will have an immeasurable effect!
 
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