Mod for more lean angle
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
Mod for more lean angle
I have a 1992 Heritage Softail. I bought it about a year ago. I replaced the front and rear shocks (Progressive 422) and put it back up to stock height. That has improved the handling and available lean angle a lot. I am wondering if it is possible to increase the lean angle a bit more.
I do not ride that hard, but I still scrape the boards from time to time. I have gotten used to scraping the boards occasionally and it is no big deal. But, I hit the frame once before I upgraded the suspension. I do not want to do that again. So I want to know if it is possible and advisable to raise it a bit more to give it a little more lean.
I have room on the rear shocks to raise it another inch. I do not know about the front shocks. I feel like if I raise the rear, I should raise the front to keep similar geometry.
When I hit the frame, there was a bump in the road and I feel like it was towards the back. But that was the old suspension so I do not know how relevant that it. And since there was a bump in the road. I do not know whether I am getting close to the frame in normal riding.
Any thoughts would be welcome.
I do not ride that hard, but I still scrape the boards from time to time. I have gotten used to scraping the boards occasionally and it is no big deal. But, I hit the frame once before I upgraded the suspension. I do not want to do that again. So I want to know if it is possible and advisable to raise it a bit more to give it a little more lean.
I have room on the rear shocks to raise it another inch. I do not know about the front shocks. I feel like if I raise the rear, I should raise the front to keep similar geometry.
When I hit the frame, there was a bump in the road and I feel like it was towards the back. But that was the old suspension so I do not know how relevant that it. And since there was a bump in the road. I do not know whether I am getting close to the frame in normal riding.
Any thoughts would be welcome.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 430
From: MASS_hole
Taller wheels would be my first choice.
Plan on doing it with my Slim eventually. One or 1.5 inch will also fill in the fenders for a nicer look.
Als a goo way to increase your fuel efficiency.
Plan on doing it with my Slim eventually. One or 1.5 inch will also fill in the fenders for a nicer look.
Als a goo way to increase your fuel efficiency.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 981
Likes: 182
From: Fairfax County, VA
Crank the shocks to get max ride height. Technically it will change the rake but its not going to become squirrely or start producing tank slappers. A taller profile tire is cheap and will get you a little with or without bigger rims (I.e. from 50 to 60). A little bit makes a big difference in your pursuit. Extend the forks and also heavier springs front and rear (overcome cornering compression), shift your riding position in the corners - move your weight inside and decrease lean angle. What you really want to do is slow down a bit in the corners. Go buy a cheap track bike and have fun on a course or get a sport tourer if you missing a little vigor.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 442
Likes: 30
From: Florida
That is good advice!
I generally ride pretty conservatively. When I scrape, it is usually because I misjudged a corner or have to cut a bit tighter to avoid some road debris. But I I could ride more conservatively.
I have a Versys 650 as well. That bike has way more lean angle than I will ever come close to. But I am considering selling it since I like riding the Harley better. The Versys is not getting much use at the moment.
I generally ride pretty conservatively. When I scrape, it is usually because I misjudged a corner or have to cut a bit tighter to avoid some road debris. But I I could ride more conservatively.
I have a Versys 650 as well. That bike has way more lean angle than I will ever come close to. But I am considering selling it since I like riding the Harley better. The Versys is not getting much use at the moment.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 546
From: Wayne County, PA
Ride the versys. Softails don't handle at all. They are for show and no go. I would just use the sloptail for looking cool(if a fake rigid looks cool?), and the versys for actuall riding. Especially spirted riding leave the sloptail at home.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
Huh? Trolling the softail section and talkin noise?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 816
Likes: 10
From: Southern, MD
The only way a softail looks like a rigid is if you don't know what the *** your looking at. I've even had ppl ask if my softail was a dyna, so I guess because if the wide glide forks that means they softail is wanna be dyna? Dumbasses!!!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 6,846
Likes: 1,386
From: Florida
Get ricor intimidators for the front forks and don't cut the spacer. That will raise the front 5/8 of an inch and give you a better front end.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 430
From: MASS_hole
thanks for takin care of that for me.
Guessin not everybody knows how to ride a softail haha
And Mr.Mike... loved your comment. True that a siftail was not designed for road racing.
But if you' e spent enough time on a course or two for a few years. You learn to get by on a vespa if you had to.
You know (;
Guessin not everybody knows how to ride a softail haha
And Mr.Mike... loved your comment. True that a siftail was not designed for road racing.
But if you' e spent enough time on a course or two for a few years. You learn to get by on a vespa if you had to.
You know (;
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
A higher aspect tire ratio. The Street Rod gained two inches of clearance and therefore greater lean angle over the Street 750 that way. Both have 17 inch tires but the Street Rod has wider and taller tires.