Lowering a Train
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 7
From: Dubuque, Iowa
Lowering a Train
I have an '09 Night Train and I keep seeing other bikes on here that are lowered and they look great! Just how harsh do the Trains get with a 2" drop? Do the cheap kits only lower the rear? Do most guys only lower the rear or do you have to do something different other than the studs to lower the front? Thanks guys!
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Cheap bolts in the rear. Install, Drop, ride, adjust, repeat.
There is a sweet spot where the bike rides pretty nicely actually. You wont find it on the first adjustment. Took me 3 different settings. Has to do with the valving in the stock shocks, your weight etc..etc.. There is a harsh part of the stroke in that shock and there a sweet cushy spot. Ya' gots to find the "Cush"!
Progressive kit in the front forks. Rides better, handles better, should be installed OEM. The front kit from progressive or better yet race Tech's kit with the gold emulator valves are both better than stock and you will suddenly be hammering the apexs on yer big ol' Train!
There is a sweet spot where the bike rides pretty nicely actually. You wont find it on the first adjustment. Took me 3 different settings. Has to do with the valving in the stock shocks, your weight etc..etc.. There is a harsh part of the stroke in that shock and there a sweet cushy spot. Ya' gots to find the "Cush"!
Progressive kit in the front forks. Rides better, handles better, should be installed OEM. The front kit from progressive or better yet race Tech's kit with the gold emulator valves are both better than stock and you will suddenly be hammering the apexs on yer big ol' Train!
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 7
From: Dubuque, Iowa
So progressives on the front make the front end ride better than stock and when dialed in the bolts in the rear will ride fairly good? I was just worried that it would bottom out and be really rough on our not so smooth rural roads around here.
oneloudz7,
I'm in the same boat. I just picked up an 07 Train. I am going to order up some of those $20 bolts and drop the back 1.5 inches to start and see how it looks/feels. I will then lower the front with the Progressive kit they sell on eBay for $100. This, from what I gathered, needs to be installed by a tech since it's a little more involved.
My issue is I ride 2-up once in a while with the little lady. You know what I mean....??? I'm going to get that removable 14"-wide Mustang rear pillion that's super cushy as well just in case.
I'm in the same boat. I just picked up an 07 Train. I am going to order up some of those $20 bolts and drop the back 1.5 inches to start and see how it looks/feels. I will then lower the front with the Progressive kit they sell on eBay for $100. This, from what I gathered, needs to be installed by a tech since it's a little more involved.
My issue is I ride 2-up once in a while with the little lady. You know what I mean....??? I'm going to get that removable 14"-wide Mustang rear pillion that's super cushy as well just in case.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 7
From: Dubuque, Iowa
That brings up another point, she wont ride solo as of now because the stock seat is too uncomfortable. I wanted to go with a solo seat for looks, but was looking for one that I could put a nice comfortable detach on for her. I guess I will be looking into the mustang.
Thanks for the idea finalfury!
Thanks for the idea finalfury!
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Oddly my bike is plusher at 2.25" than it was at 1 3/4". Its all about getting that shock into the plush part of the stroke.
Dont get me wrong...You hit a big bump dropped 2" and your *** will come up outta the seat.
I dont ride my Old lady....I ride Solo. I even sold her stoopid Sundowner seat last week in the classifieds. If she really wants to ride I just bolt up the badlander. Which is all of never.
That brings up another point, she wont ride solo as of now because the stock seat is too uncomfortable. I wanted to go with a solo seat for looks, but was looking for one that I could put a nice comfortable detach on for her. I guess I will be looking into the mustang.
Thanks for the idea finalfury!
Thanks for the idea finalfury!
Just did the work for ya
Oh yeah, and the Mustang is the most comfortable of all the seats. I had one on my last bike and i could ride for hours on end and I dairy air was happy. The tour sport is not bad looking at all. What doesn't look good is their vintage or wide vintage on Softails. Someone in this forum mentioned it looks like, and I quote, "...a sofa on your Softail". It wasn't me though. :-)
Last edited by finalfury; Jul 6, 2009 at 04:16 PM.
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Adjusting the pre-load in addition to just installing the lowering bolts will definitely help the comfort factor. That will make sure you aren't bottoming out when you shouldn't be, etc.
Also, if you don't want a goofy looking seat, I think the LePera silhouette series has passenger pilions you can pair with their solo seats. Give you a a similar look to the bare bones with a little more comfort
Also, if you don't want a goofy looking seat, I think the LePera silhouette series has passenger pilions you can pair with their solo seats. Give you a a similar look to the bare bones with a little more comfort
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
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Way better fork action with the progressive kit over stock and I hear the race Tech kit with the gold emulator valves is even better.
Oddly my bike is plusher at 2.25" than it was at 1 3/4". Its all about getting that shock into the plush part of the stroke.
Dont get me wrong...You hit a big bump dropped 2" and your *** will come up outta the seat.
I dont ride my Old lady....I ride Solo. I even sold her stoopid Sundowner seat last week in the classifieds. If she really wants to ride I just bolt up the badlander. Which is all of never.
Oddly my bike is plusher at 2.25" than it was at 1 3/4". Its all about getting that shock into the plush part of the stroke.
Dont get me wrong...You hit a big bump dropped 2" and your *** will come up outta the seat.
I dont ride my Old lady....I ride Solo. I even sold her stoopid Sundowner seat last week in the classifieds. If she really wants to ride I just bolt up the badlander. Which is all of never.
Everyone has their own level of comfort but most will agree, lowering your bike will deteriorate the ride quality somewhat, to what degree and whether you can tolerate it, is another topic altogether.
My 2 cents.
I have a Mustang Day Tripper Solo and detachable pillion that I would sell for 250 bucks (380 new) and this thing has about 40 miles on it. It is brand new.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,246
From: Georgia
Cheap bolts in the rear. Install, Drop, ride, adjust, repeat.
There is a sweet spot where the bike rides pretty nicely actually. You wont find it on the first adjustment. Took me 3 different settings. Has to do with the valving in the stock shocks, your weight etc..etc.. There is a harsh part of the stroke in that shock and there a sweet cushy spot. Ya' gots to find the "Cush"!
Progressive kit in the front forks. Rides better, handles better, should be installed OEM. The front kit from progressive or better yet race Tech's kit with the gold emulator valves are both better than stock and you will suddenly be hammering the apexs on yer big ol' Train!
There is a sweet spot where the bike rides pretty nicely actually. You wont find it on the first adjustment. Took me 3 different settings. Has to do with the valving in the stock shocks, your weight etc..etc.. There is a harsh part of the stroke in that shock and there a sweet cushy spot. Ya' gots to find the "Cush"!
Progressive kit in the front forks. Rides better, handles better, should be installed OEM. The front kit from progressive or better yet race Tech's kit with the gold emulator valves are both better than stock and you will suddenly be hammering the apexs on yer big ol' Train!