unlower my fatboy?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
RE: unlower my fatboy?
Just a thought......
Depending what you "use to" ride, I would try to find a buddy, or a demo, or a rental to see if a non-lowered FB rides like you would expect.
I noticed that my new Fatboy rides harder than my previous bikeand it steers like it was on a rail.I need alittle more effort for counter-steering, and bumps give a resonable jolt but recovers instantly. These observations (of mine) are all a great thing to me. Not a single complaintaboutmy FBsuspension.
A lowering kit may not have changed your noticed characteristics that much.
For example, did your previous bike have laced wheels? Again, with the FB, solid wheels makes a difference too. I'd hate to see you go through the expense of getting the rear back to stock if the outcome doesn't change things.
(The short answer is YES, you can get things taken back to stock). How about some pics?
Depending what you "use to" ride, I would try to find a buddy, or a demo, or a rental to see if a non-lowered FB rides like you would expect.
I noticed that my new Fatboy rides harder than my previous bikeand it steers like it was on a rail.I need alittle more effort for counter-steering, and bumps give a resonable jolt but recovers instantly. These observations (of mine) are all a great thing to me. Not a single complaintaboutmy FBsuspension.
A lowering kit may not have changed your noticed characteristics that much.
For example, did your previous bike have laced wheels? Again, with the FB, solid wheels makes a difference too. I'd hate to see you go through the expense of getting the rear back to stock if the outcome doesn't change things.
(The short answer is YES, you can get things taken back to stock). How about some pics?
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From:
RE: unlower my fatboy?
Thank you for the info. I rode a newer FB a while back that seemed to be nicer riding. So i wasn't sure if it's just that mine is older. Mine is a 98 but sharp and that's what got me lol
I tried to enclose a pic but says that file is to big. And since computers are not my forte I don't know how to make it smaller
I tried to enclose a pic but says that file is to big. And since computers are not my forte I don't know how to make it smaller
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: unlower my fatboy?
Alot of people that say lowering a bike will make it ride a bit rougher. It depends on a lot of factors though. Was the front lowered as well? How is the suspension adjusted. Have a look see. I wanted to lower mine for a while until I realized I might lose some handling and cornering. Once I heard that I said forget it...
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
RE: unlower my fatboy?
I lowered my 00 Heritage a few years ago.(1" frt / 1.5" rr). It ruined it. Absolutely ruined it!!! Just put it back to stocka few weeks ago. Stock springs in front, Prog 422's in the rear(set @ stock height)
What a difference. I actually enjoy riding it again.
What a difference. I actually enjoy riding it again.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From:
RE: unlower my fatboy?
I had a Nitetrain up until a week ago, i traded itin for a 08 Fat Boy,
i did everything to my Nighty inc lowering it front and rear, boy did i f**k it up when i compared it to my mates,
May of looked good but it rode s**t,
Never again!
i did everything to my Nighty inc lowering it front and rear, boy did i f**k it up when i compared it to my mates,
May of looked good but it rode s**t,
Never again!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
RE: unlower my fatboy?
So I have a question regarding all this...
When you guys speak of lowering.... are the majority of you saying you lowered it with a lowering kit? Or did you change to adjustable shocks or harley's low profile shocks?
On my Standard I put the Harley Low profiles on and I didn't find it to be that bad of a ride... Course, the Dampening needed fine tuned but still it wasn't real rough or bad. Now... I used the shocks that went down 3/4 of an inch.... so I didn't go that low... just enough to give it that lowered look more.
When you guys speak of lowering.... are the majority of you saying you lowered it with a lowering kit? Or did you change to adjustable shocks or harley's low profile shocks?
On my Standard I put the Harley Low profiles on and I didn't find it to be that bad of a ride... Course, the Dampening needed fine tuned but still it wasn't real rough or bad. Now... I used the shocks that went down 3/4 of an inch.... so I didn't go that low... just enough to give it that lowered look more.
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Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
RE: unlower my fatboy?
My wife's 03 has the Harley shocks. They are JUNK!!!! They don't really even lower it a full inch. We used HD's stuff because we got a 20 % disc on parts & labor at the dealer.
If anything, run the stock Harley shocks with the Prog Susp adjustors.
If anything, run the stock Harley shocks with the Prog Susp adjustors.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
RE: unlower my fatboy?
ORIGINAL: byersmtrco
My wife's 03 has the Harley shocks. They are JUNK!!!! They don't really even lower it a full inch. We used HD's stuff because we got a 20 % disc on parts & labor at the dealer.
If anything, run the stock Harley shocks with the Prog Susp adjustors.
My wife's 03 has the Harley shocks. They are JUNK!!!! They don't really even lower it a full inch. We used HD's stuff because we got a 20 % disc on parts & labor at the dealer.
If anything, run the stock Harley shocks with the Prog Susp adjustors.