Lowering a softail
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 440
Likes: 15
From: South East PA
imo it works much better.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 7
From: NH
it really depends it you car about the stiffness of the suspension... comfort of the ride...
if you don't care, use progressive drop-ins for the front and lowering bolts for the back (you will loose travel and have a much stiffer ride). if you do care get new / used fork tubes that shorter from the factory made for another softail or DBI fork tubes, that way they will be lower with out loosing any travel and get air suspension like shotgun or other brand (you will not loose travel and maintain that comfy cushy ride).
41 mm Tubes
FLT 1984-1996 20-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
Edit: there are higher end lowering kits that will give you that stock feel with less travel loss, but the above is my personal opinion
if you don't care, use progressive drop-ins for the front and lowering bolts for the back (you will loose travel and have a much stiffer ride). if you do care get new / used fork tubes that shorter from the factory made for another softail or DBI fork tubes, that way they will be lower with out loosing any travel and get air suspension like shotgun or other brand (you will not loose travel and maintain that comfy cushy ride).
41 mm Tubes
FLT 1984-1996 20-7/8"
FLT 1997-later 20-1/4"
FLSTC/N/F 1986-1999 22-7/8"
FLSTC/N/F 2000-later 22-1/4"
FXWG ,FXST/C 1984-1999 24-1/2"
FXDWG,FXST/C 2000-later 24-1/4"
Edit: there are higher end lowering kits that will give you that stock feel with less travel loss, but the above is my personal opinion
So I can change out my 2012 Fatboy Lo front forks for those on a 1997+ flt for a 2inch drop?? Could I go even lower by adding front fork springs to them and theoretically making it almost a 4inch drop?? I ask because I am changing my front wheel to a 23
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
The rear discussion is killed,
Rear - bolts are terrible for anything longer than 40 minutes solo,
- Progressive is cheap(er) alternative, OK for medium length rides, OK for short two up
- ShotGun (Air shocks) are your optimal solution could be had here around 1000$used.
Front : MonoTubes is one option, or if you do springs, install intiminators which will give you great improvement.
Good luck.
Rear - bolts are terrible for anything longer than 40 minutes solo,
- Progressive is cheap(er) alternative, OK for medium length rides, OK for short two up
- ShotGun (Air shocks) are your optimal solution could be had here around 1000$used.
Front : MonoTubes is one option, or if you do springs, install intiminators which will give you great improvement.
Good luck.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 440
Likes: 15
From: South East PA
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...l#post13951517
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
