Progressive Front Drop-in Lowering Kit?
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 36
From: Hoboken, NJ
So, I just picked up the Profile adjustable rear shocks from a fellow HDF member. They should be here this week. I am interested in lowering the front as well, but am intimidated by the number of choices out there... HD sells a "drop in" kit for the front, but then I see the Arlen Ness and other kits out there... what's the difference between them all?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
Mine came today, I am just going to throw them in and wait till the end of the year to redo the forks. I have a set of chrome lowers and also have a set of takeoff lowers that I was going to powdercoat but now I am thinking of the chrome. Thats why I'll wait and see, so many people around here are going the Black route so just to be different I will do chrome.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 7
From: Carpentersville , IL
So, I just picked up the Profile adjustable rear shocks from a fellow HDF member. They should be here this week. I am interested in lowering the front as well, but am intimidated by the number of choices out there... HD sells a "drop in" kit for the front, but then I see the Arlen Ness and other kits out there... what's the difference between them all?
Mine came today, I am just going to throw them in and wait till the end of the year to redo the forks. I have a set of chrome lowers and also have a set of takeoff lowers that I was going to powdercoat but now I am thinking of the chrome. Thats why I'll wait and see, so many people around here are going the Black route so just to be different I will do chrome.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 7
From: Carpentersville , IL
The dampers are the part that actually pushes up on the springs. You can see them in my pic coming out the bottom of the fork tubes. They have the holes towards the bottom. The springs sit inside the fork tubes. One small spring below the damper and one long above.
If you dont have one already I highly suggest you pick up a service manual for your bike. Its worth its weight in gold!
If you dont have one already I highly suggest you pick up a service manual for your bike. Its worth its weight in gold!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 2
From: Western KY
Well, my kit came today and it looks like the one I decided on is not a drop in for sure. I am going to have to change out the small spring on the damper, and the big spring in the forks. So here is my stupid question of the night, can I do the bottom first, by taking the lowers apart, and then put that back together, and then do the top, without changing the fork oil? Will I loose my fork oil by taking the bottom part apart to get to the damper spring? Damnit, I wish I would of just went with the drop in kit, would of been easier it would seem. Any insight will be greatly appreciated!!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 7
From: Carpentersville , IL
Well, my kit came today and it looks like the one I decided on is not a drop in for sure. I am going to have to change out the small spring on the damper, and the big spring in the forks. So here is my stupid question of the night, can I do the bottom first, by taking the lowers apart, and then put that back together, and then do the top, without changing the fork oil? Will I loose my fork oil by taking the bottom part apart to get to the damper spring? Damnit, I wish I would of just went with the drop in kit, would of been easier it would seem. Any insight will be greatly appreciated!!
FYI, I used a piece of 1 1/2" pvc pipe cut in half lengthwise to reinstall the seals in the lowers. I reused my original seals because my bike only has 500 miles. Your also gonna need a couple containers of fork oil. Each fork takes 12.5 oz.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 2
From: Western KY
Not that hard to do this job at all. You're gonna have to completely remove the forks though. After the forks are out and drained(lowers removed too), you remove the spring plug at the top of the tubes and turn them upside down...the springs and damper will fall out. Swap in new springs and put back together.
FYI, I used a piece of 1 1/2" pvc pipe cut in half lengthwise to reinstall the seals in the lowers. I reused my original seals because my bike only has 500 miles. Your also gonna need a couple containers of fork oil. Each fork takes 12.5 oz.
FYI, I used a piece of 1 1/2" pvc pipe cut in half lengthwise to reinstall the seals in the lowers. I reused my original seals because my bike only has 500 miles. Your also gonna need a couple containers of fork oil. Each fork takes 12.5 oz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZGHZ...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtwCN...eature=related
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 2
From: Western KY
. So you are saying that I should go ahead and take the nut loose on the lowers first. Will they come off after that, or after I get the tops taken apart? Sorry for the questions, I had my plan made out for doing the drop-in kit, which would of been easier.