Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Lowering ?'s

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26, 2009 | 10:45 PM
  #1  
fireman02's Avatar
fireman02
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default Lowering ?'s

So I am hoping to start the install of a heartland 180 kit this weekend. I need some opinions on lowering it.
Option 1 is to buy LA Choppers or progressive's lowering kit for my current shocks and save some money. But shocks are 13years old and probably need to be replaced anyway.
Option 2 Bite the bullet and buy Progressive 422's.
Option 3 Go with some other set up recommended by those who read this post.
I would like to go with a air ride kit but do not have the money for one at this time.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 10:51 PM
  #2  
VTwin-Goodies's Avatar
VTwin-Goodies
Former Sponsor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,839
Likes: 1,956
From: SoCal
Default

Air ride for sure. 13 year old shocks are most likely beat the hell. A friend put the 422's on and was not happy with the results on his fatboy. He had the air ride a week later. Lost a bit of money on the swap. I have an air ride too. I did not bother with lowering socks or bolts as everyone I know and ride with has the air ride and is quite happy with it. There are quite a few choices. Platinum bleed and feed, Hi Lo rider, Legends, Arnott, and the list goes on.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 11:39 PM
  #3  
ElSupremo's Avatar
ElSupremo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 2
From: WA - The State
Default

A cheap alternative to the 422's are the adjustable Ultima's. I've got them on my Deluxe and so far I have been pleased.

That being said, an air ride is definitely gonna find its way onto my bike, hopefully this next winter.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 11:42 PM
  #4  
VTwin-Goodies's Avatar
VTwin-Goodies
Former Sponsor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,839
Likes: 1,956
From: SoCal
Default

Save the money you'd spend on the lowering and invest it in the air ride. You won't be sorry.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 11:44 PM
  #5  
KumaRide's Avatar
KumaRide
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Default

How low do you want to go... Wanted to lower mine only an inch to get rid of the dirt bike look. More than that and the handling changes quite a bit and/or too much scraping and not so good for 2up. Installed Deluxe Softail shocks in the rear. Still has a nice ride for 1up and 2up. Used ones like new, low miles, can be had for $100.
 
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 11:51 PM
  #6  
ElSupremo's Avatar
ElSupremo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 2
From: WA - The State
Default

Originally Posted by HarleyGoodies
Save the money you'd spend on the lowering and invest it in the air ride. You won't be sorry.
The Ultima's are only like $125 shipped, so for me it was something inexpensive to get me where I wanted to be now, while I save up for an air ride.
 
Reply
Old May 27, 2009 | 11:20 AM
  #7  
fireman02's Avatar
fireman02
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by ElSupremo
The Ultima's are only like $125 shipped, so for me it was something inexpensive to get me where I wanted to be now, while I save up for an air ride.
Where did you get your Ultima's? Do they drop 2"? I might go this route until I can afford and air ride suspension.
 
Reply
Old May 27, 2009 | 11:34 AM
  #8  
ElSupremo's Avatar
ElSupremo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 2
From: WA - The State
Default

Originally Posted by fireman02
Where did you get your Ultima's? Do they drop 2"? I might go this route until I can afford and air ride suspension.
I got them from Eastern Performance Cycles on ebay. They do drop 2" from stock.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ULTIM...Q5fAccessories
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 27, 2009 | 12:31 PM
  #9  
saintslax11's Avatar
saintslax11
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 19
From: MD
Default

IMO i believe the heartland kit only looks good slammed all the way down either by slamming the bike with the bolt kit or air suspension. I love the way it sits right on the tire. The bike looks like chit when the fender sits off the tire to high. Save your bread and get the air ride. You want it to look good and have spent alot on Heartland, take the next step and get air ride.
 
Reply
Old May 27, 2009 | 01:31 PM
  #10  
fireman02's Avatar
fireman02
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Default

Your bike looks great with the air ride, and I wish I had the funds to get one. But, I have a wife thats 20 weeks pregant and I have used almost all my side cash for this 180 kit and the other stuff I have purchased to go with it. My plan is to lower it now the most economical yet quality way know, and save up for the air ride this winter.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:25 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE