I’d like to go Howard’s route one day soon.

Just for curiosity/comparison, I swapped my Heritage stock rear shock for the 3/4” shorter shock that’s stock in your Street Bob. It’s perfectly decent to ride on, but definitely poorer performing. Makes sense giving up some travel. The ride position change is barely perceptible. What I didn’t expect was how much harsher it made the stock front end. I’m assuming the slight increase of angle on the forks by lowering just the rear a tad has impacted the telescopic flow of the front suspension. It use to be fairly plush, now it is much more jarring over harsh bumps at speed.

You might consider trying the taller HD shock, or any aftermarket one, at that height and see what you think. I don’t think it will drastically alter the lines of the bike.

I will be the first to admit that I am not the most experienced rider, so I can believe that I may not be able to make a true evaluation. I rode a Kawa in the 70's so this bike is like the only thing I ridden of late and therefore can not really make a unbiased comparison.

Due to being veretically challanged, it was a necessity that I had my Heritage lowered. I used the H-D lower profile suspension in both the rear and front. I did the rear, but had the dealer do the front as I felt it was beyond my capability. When they did the front I had them use the heavier weight fork oil.

Now, the lowering was was done along with my 1K service. Prior to the installation of the Lower Profile Front suspemsion, I allwas experienced a significant amount of front end dip when stopping (some of which I freely admit was my poor stopping technique which I have improved at). However with that being said, even to this fairly inexperienced rider, the front end allways felt sloppy...too soft and spongy for my liking. It was probably me, as I much prefer the feel of a new pick-up truck to the soft wallow of a high priced sedan. So maybe it is just why I did not care for how the stock front end felt. The hevier fork oil made a world of difference to me. Not overly stiff, but much less sloppy.

As for the overall ride...I could not distinguish any difference except for the loss of some lean angle. Before I started to ride 2-up, I had the monoshock set to it softest setting. Now for 2-up riding I leave it set at about a third stiffer. Can I tell the difference when riding solo? Not really, but maybe just a tad on very harsh roads, RR crossings, or hitting those damn manhole covers. Most often, no complaint.

Just for some clarity, I did find my Reach seat was too hard and I had MCC mod it so now the ride is much more comfortable in my butt. ​​​​​​​

Now, with over 4K on the bike, I very happy with the ride.

Frank, my front end wasn’t what I’d call sloppy before, but I agree it wasn’t what I’d call tight either...now it’s just stiff and uncompliant feeling. I’m convinced it has something to do with angle change of the forks doing just the rear. I can’t afford to lose lean angle or I’d look at the front too, probably with the heavier fork oil you recommend.

As for the rear, solo it’s fine lowered up to about 70mph...only slightly harsher than stock on sharp edged transitions. At higher speeds than that though I feel it handles those bumps much worse that the longer stock shock. I’m talking 85 - 95...I commute on some damn fast freeways...Wednesday at 4am? The Prius drivers are at triple digits...

BadC - at the risk of contradicting myself I’m sure you can raise the rear an inch and not ruin the handling. I may be putting my stocker back on, otherwise I’d be happy to work a deal. If I wind up with an upgrade shock (Axios or Ohlin) I’ll for sure give you a good price.