When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I recently bought an unmolested 1997 FXSTC from the original owner and was wondering how much you can lower the rear ride hight without affecting the rake and trail. The saddle bags hide the gap between the tire and fender so it's not so noticable. 97 FXSTC
I lowered my 98 Softail Custom 2 inches in the rear and 2 inches in the front. No change in the rake and I've had no problem with the suspension bottoming even on rough Illinois roads. Not to mention that it looks so much better lowered.
I lowered the rear only with Shotgun Shocks air ride.
Yes, you can see the frame angle but it handles just fine.
And it adds to the chopped look I was going for.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Softail Suspension
