Lewering a fatboy (help)
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 63
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From: UK
Lewering a fatboy (help)
Looking for some information Lads. I know this subject has been battered to death as much as the oil threads but please bare with me as I am a novice to this.
I have 2002 fatboy and I love the look of the lowered bikes in this forum. Now you probably know what's coming.
If I lower the bike 1 to 2 inches weather it's by the Harley bolt or 422s how will the ride be. Will the bike still handle?
If I lower the rear 1 or 2 inches do I have to lower the front also to compensate.
Any help would be great lads. I dont want to go down the road of lowering the bike and loosing its handling. Thanks again
I have 2002 fatboy and I love the look of the lowered bikes in this forum. Now you probably know what's coming.
If I lower the bike 1 to 2 inches weather it's by the Harley bolt or 422s how will the ride be. Will the bike still handle?
If I lower the rear 1 or 2 inches do I have to lower the front also to compensate.
Any help would be great lads. I dont want to go down the road of lowering the bike and loosing its handling. Thanks again
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 33
From: Illinois
I lowered a few Softails and I always prefer the 1" kit from HD. The reason being I'm about 300 lbs and by the time I get the old lady on the back, that's about all the bike can handle before the ride suffers. I usually only do the rear, though. I did a 2" adjustable some years back and instantly turned my Softail into a solo bike. The ride will depend on how much weight you're carrying, but handling will remain about as dismal as most Softails. They're usually more about the style than handling anyway. They definately look much cooler, though, and if I want to appreciate the ride of my Softails, then I jump on my rigid Shovel lol.
If you want lowered and handling you need air ride. Of course that is a little more expensive. Never did anything to my bike until I got an air ride so i can't comment on the quality of lowering bolts. But, I have had my air ride for nearly 5 years and nary a problem.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: New York
Check 2 of the most recent beat downs 
:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ce-please.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ggestions.html
:https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ce-please.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ggestions.html
Looking for some information Lads. I know this subject has been battered to death as much as the oil threads but please bare with me as I am a novice to this.
I have 2002 fatboy and I love the look of the lowered bikes in this forum. Now you probably know what's coming.
If I lower the bike 1 to 2 inches weather it's by the Harley bolt or 422s how will the ride be. Will the bike still handle?
If I lower the rear 1 or 2 inches do I have to lower the front also to compensate.
Any help would be great lads. I dont want to go down the road of lowering the bike and loosing its handling. Thanks again
I have 2002 fatboy and I love the look of the lowered bikes in this forum. Now you probably know what's coming.
If I lower the bike 1 to 2 inches weather it's by the Harley bolt or 422s how will the ride be. Will the bike still handle?
If I lower the rear 1 or 2 inches do I have to lower the front also to compensate.
Any help would be great lads. I dont want to go down the road of lowering the bike and loosing its handling. Thanks again
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
My nasty old man used to say......"It takes college grad engineers with degrees to figure out what works and what doesn't and your going to go **** with it!....who the **** are you!?".....
What he meant was "every thing you tinker with" has an inverse reaction.....I used to lower and raise my cars and after busting enough springs and screwing up the overall suspension I stopped doing it....
I dont mess with suspension for LOOKS anymore.....Bikes included.
That 1 inch lower seat will buy you what???? Really?? And cost you plenty....
Just my 2cents...
What he meant was "every thing you tinker with" has an inverse reaction.....I used to lower and raise my cars and after busting enough springs and screwing up the overall suspension I stopped doing it....
I dont mess with suspension for LOOKS anymore.....Bikes included.
That 1 inch lower seat will buy you what???? Really?? And cost you plenty....
Just my 2cents...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,790
Likes: 10
From: Hawaii
My old man told me that stuff to... It never stopped me from doing what I wanted... lol
Get a set of progressive's, Keep in mind Progressive or the cheap bolt kit if they are slammed all the way down they'll feel the same "rough ride" as for doing or not doing the front thats up to you... if you are only going down 1-2 inches you can leave the front.
Get a set of progressive's, Keep in mind Progressive or the cheap bolt kit if they are slammed all the way down they'll feel the same "rough ride" as for doing or not doing the front thats up to you... if you are only going down 1-2 inches you can leave the front.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 6
From: Oregon City, OR
Most of it depends on how much you weigh and what kind of riding you do. I lowered my '00 Fat Boy 1" with the HD kit. I weighed about 260lbs and the ride suffered a little but not horrible over flat surfaces. One thing that did happen is that I started grinding the footboard (especially the right side) on harder turns.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 6
From: N.C.
Drop it. I was afraid I whould harm the way the bike rode, but IMHO it rides better. I dropped the front 2 inchs and the rear 2 inches.
I would, if it were not so hard raise the front back about 1/2 inch.
My bike looks and handles much better with the 422's set to firm. I know I could of set the stock shocks to firm however I did'nt even bother.
Air ride is the way to go , but get a good kit like HarleyGoodies offers.
If you get a junkie or cheapie air ride you will be upset with the pogo effect of the ride. Its all about how much you want to spend.
When A bike is lowered and riding down the street it just looks twice as cool as a stock height bike. Lower the front and rear when you do it. I weigh 185lbs (84kg) and Im 5'11". If you weigh more than 200lbs (91kg) and you ride double you may want to diffenitly get air ride.
I would, if it were not so hard raise the front back about 1/2 inch.
My bike looks and handles much better with the 422's set to firm. I know I could of set the stock shocks to firm however I did'nt even bother.
Air ride is the way to go , but get a good kit like HarleyGoodies offers.
If you get a junkie or cheapie air ride you will be upset with the pogo effect of the ride. Its all about how much you want to spend.
When A bike is lowered and riding down the street it just looks twice as cool as a stock height bike. Lower the front and rear when you do it. I weigh 185lbs (84kg) and Im 5'11". If you weigh more than 200lbs (91kg) and you ride double you may want to diffenitly get air ride.
Last edited by Rockyriver; Jan 12, 2010 at 05:03 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,790
Likes: 10
From: Hawaii
What? I'm 230 most of the time i ride solo but when the wife wants to go... I slap a suction cup seat on and go without even thinking about it. And my bike is slammed 4 inches in the rear. True it rides hard but thats something I'm willing to sacrifice.
