Softail lowering advice
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
Softail lowering advice
I've got a pair of Ultima shocks that I'm going to put on, my question is:
I may be wrong, but it looks to me like a 1" longer shock will lower the bike more than 1". What is a rough guideline for determining how low the bike will sit. For example, how much lower will the bike sit for every quarter inch I add to the length of the shocks. This will be my first time, so any other tips are also appreciated.
Thanks.
I may be wrong, but it looks to me like a 1" longer shock will lower the bike more than 1". What is a rough guideline for determining how low the bike will sit. For example, how much lower will the bike sit for every quarter inch I add to the length of the shocks. This will be my first time, so any other tips are also appreciated.
Thanks.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
lowering
I have Ultima shocks on the 97 Heritage I am working on. While I don't know the exact measurements you are looking for I do have a few suggestions:
- Install the shocks at stock length, and install them one at a time. Remove one of the stock shocks and use it for a length reference for installing the new ones.
- The shock mount bolts have a 3/4" head. The bolt on the left side in the rear is a pain to get to. I had to cut down a 3/4" wrench to do the job.
- Don't know which set of shocks you have but I installed #116-257 (the narrow body units). These are adjustable once installed. That way you can put them on at stock length, measure height, adjust/lengthen shock and measure again.
- When lowering DO NOT forget to factor in the weight of the rider. I lowered mine an inch or so, but it wasn't as low as I really wanted it to look. That is until a friend of mine who weighs the same as I do sat on the bike. With his weight added the suspension dropped to where I wanted. If I had set it lower I do think I would have risked tire/fender/wiring interference.
Later,
BK
- Install the shocks at stock length, and install them one at a time. Remove one of the stock shocks and use it for a length reference for installing the new ones.
- The shock mount bolts have a 3/4" head. The bolt on the left side in the rear is a pain to get to. I had to cut down a 3/4" wrench to do the job.
- Don't know which set of shocks you have but I installed #116-257 (the narrow body units). These are adjustable once installed. That way you can put them on at stock length, measure height, adjust/lengthen shock and measure again.
- When lowering DO NOT forget to factor in the weight of the rider. I lowered mine an inch or so, but it wasn't as low as I really wanted it to look. That is until a friend of mine who weighs the same as I do sat on the bike. With his weight added the suspension dropped to where I wanted. If I had set it lower I do think I would have risked tire/fender/wiring interference.
Later,
BK
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 200
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lowering
BK
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 512
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
lowered
Except on the softail. The shocks work in reverse.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I've got a pair of Ultima shocks that I'm going to put on, my question is:
I may be wrong, but it looks to me like a 1" longer shock will lower the bike more than 1". What is a rough guideline for determining how low the bike will sit. For example, how much lower will the bike sit for every quarter inch I add to the length of the shocks. This will be my first time, so any other tips are also appreciated.
Thanks.
I may be wrong, but it looks to me like a 1" longer shock will lower the bike more than 1". What is a rough guideline for determining how low the bike will sit. For example, how much lower will the bike sit for every quarter inch I add to the length of the shocks. This will be my first time, so any other tips are also appreciated.
Thanks.
Then I installed the lowering shocks.
I left one of the shocks jam nuts loose set the new height -2" with one shock then tightened the other.
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I adjusted the shocks all the way stiff yesterday, and this morning I'm going to put them on. A local mechanic told me to pop the old ones off, and while I've got the bike up in the air raise the swingarm as high as it will go to check for clearance before putting the new ones on. I just love the look of lowered bikes and can't wait to see this!
Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 152
Likes: 3
From: florida
I just went thru this whole thing ... if the shock is 1 inch longer it will give you a little less than 2 inchs of drop do to the pivot point of the arm . so if you adjust your shock length by 1/2 an inch you will get roughly an inch