Lowering Deluxe again
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 543
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RE: Lowering Deluxe again
I still think you should start the cheapest way possible and that is have the seat shaved. Just changing the seat will only move you forward not down so much but shaving it will allow you to move down. Go to an upholstery shop to have it done. If to tall then you can lower it less. Like Nikon said any lowering will sacrafice handling so you want to do that as little as possible.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30
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RE: Lowering Deluxe again
I think you may be right. HD lowered mine (07) when I bought it with an adjustable slam kit (that's what they called it) which lowered the rear one inch. Then I had my seat shaved. My feet touch the ground but I still can't get enough traction to maneuver (yes, I wear big shoes!). My Sporty felt like that at first too even after having it lowered. But after a few months I got used to the weight and feel of the bike and could easily maneuver it around.
I've only had my bike 2 weeks (and it was at the leather shop getting it's seat shaved for 1 week of that time). He made me a new leather seat and reattached the trim/bib. So I think once that softens up and I relax more it might be easier. It's 200+ pounds more heavy than my Sporty so I'm still getting used to the extra weight as well. We'll see!
As far as dragging the floorboards, I did that at first as I tried to take turns like I did on the Sportster. So I've started practicing around the neighborhood -- learning how to turn all over again.
I've only had my bike 2 weeks (and it was at the leather shop getting it's seat shaved for 1 week of that time). He made me a new leather seat and reattached the trim/bib. So I think once that softens up and I relax more it might be easier. It's 200+ pounds more heavy than my Sporty so I'm still getting used to the extra weight as well. We'll see!
As far as dragging the floorboards, I did that at first as I tried to take turns like I did on the Sportster. So I've started practicing around the neighborhood -- learning how to turn all over again.
ORIGINAL: softail2005
I assume that you ladies have already purchased a good pair of shoes with a lug sole. Something like a Red Wing Harley shoe, which should raise you up another inch or so. I do think changing the seat is the best option, I am 5'6" and switched to the sundowner two up seat and its a whole new ball game. Its much easier to have both feet flat on the ground and be in control of the weight while stopped.
My bike drags on driveway entrances, security gate tracks, reverse road crowns in cruves and is a bit dangerous with a two up load and travel bags. I make sure I slow down for turns to avoid dragging the pipes and footboards. My frame rails are already scrached pretty deep, pipes scratched also. Switching to V&H BigShotStaggered Pipes solved the dragging problem with the pipes but its still easy to drag the footboards.
But I weigh 200 my wife is 125, T-Bags and saddlebags can add another 60 lbs so If you travel one up you may not have my type of problems.
I think after you ride for a while and you get used to the bike you may not need to lower it as much as you think. But be safe and good luck with a wonderfull bike. I love my Deluxe.
I assume that you ladies have already purchased a good pair of shoes with a lug sole. Something like a Red Wing Harley shoe, which should raise you up another inch or so. I do think changing the seat is the best option, I am 5'6" and switched to the sundowner two up seat and its a whole new ball game. Its much easier to have both feet flat on the ground and be in control of the weight while stopped.
My bike drags on driveway entrances, security gate tracks, reverse road crowns in cruves and is a bit dangerous with a two up load and travel bags. I make sure I slow down for turns to avoid dragging the pipes and footboards. My frame rails are already scrached pretty deep, pipes scratched also. Switching to V&H BigShotStaggered Pipes solved the dragging problem with the pipes but its still easy to drag the footboards.
But I weigh 200 my wife is 125, T-Bags and saddlebags can add another 60 lbs so If you travel one up you may not have my type of problems.
I think after you ride for a while and you get used to the bike you may not need to lower it as much as you think. But be safe and good luck with a wonderfull bike. I love my Deluxe.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
RE: Lowering Deluxe again
Harley makes a "Reach" seat for the deluxe. It moves you forward, AND it brings your legs closer together, giving you a far better reach to the ground. I installed one on my Wifes Deluxe, and it allowed her to touch the ground flat footed, where she had her toes only on the ground with the stock seat.
I am in the process of shaving the seat myself. We want the stock seat set-up, in order to put a solo tour pak on the bike., Hopefully, the seat mod will allow her to ride without lowering the bike.
Last note, Someone said they bought saddlebags for her new Deluxe. I hope you didn't buy yhe H_D bags...They are way too small, and they do not seal up as they should. You will have everything wet the first time you get caught in a light rain.
I recommend taking them back, and buying a good bag elsewhere. We went with Leatherworks, They look fantastic, hold nearly 3 times as much, and are similar in price.
$750.00 for bags that leak is ridiculous.
here is a link to the Leatherworks 120 bags for the deluxe...
Leatherworks bags
I am in the process of shaving the seat myself. We want the stock seat set-up, in order to put a solo tour pak on the bike., Hopefully, the seat mod will allow her to ride without lowering the bike.
Last note, Someone said they bought saddlebags for her new Deluxe. I hope you didn't buy yhe H_D bags...They are way too small, and they do not seal up as they should. You will have everything wet the first time you get caught in a light rain.
I recommend taking them back, and buying a good bag elsewhere. We went with Leatherworks, They look fantastic, hold nearly 3 times as much, and are similar in price.
$750.00 for bags that leak is ridiculous.
here is a link to the Leatherworks 120 bags for the deluxe...
Leatherworks bags
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
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RE: Lowering Deluxe again
Just noticed you had Big Shot Staggereds on your Deluxe. I just ordered a set and saw a note from Lynlaine that said they require the rear right peg to be moved approx one inch. I got that verified from the V & H guy thru email. What did they do to your pegs when you had them installed? Were both pegs moved, or only right side? And oh yeah, how do you like them? I have a 2007 Deluxe but don't expect that makes any difference.
[IMG]local://upfiles/17245/7736D4BE4ED0424492C9522E0F858242.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/17245/7736D4BE4ED0424492C9522E0F858242.jpg[/IMG]
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 73
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RE: Lowering Deluxe again
Correct, you'll need to move the right side peg up. You'll also want to move the left side up so they match. There are already holes on each side for the pegs to mount into the new locations.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
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RE: Lowering Deluxe again
ORIGINAL: anubisss
. Do you want it to handle at all? I lke to call it having manners, and I'd imagine that it already has no manners at that height. . Think about those floorboards dragging in the corners. I have a Fatboy that drags extremely easily.
. Do you want it to handle at all? I lke to call it having manners, and I'd imagine that it already has no manners at that height. . Think about those floorboards dragging in the corners. I have a Fatboy that drags extremely easily.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,247
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From: Location
RE: Lowering Deluxe again
ORIGINAL: hd2007
SHE LOWERED HER DEXUXE TOO LOW !!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/16696/1AC78AF4CFD44290852192338971F212.jpg[/IMG]
SHE LOWERED HER DEXUXE TOO LOW !!!
[IMG]local://upfiles/16696/1AC78AF4CFD44290852192338971F212.jpg[/IMG]
The best part about this, is that someone actually stopped to take a picture before going to help out!
I love it...
RE: Lowering Deluxe again
I like the low look personally but while riding my dads Fatboy which was too low I thought but thats the way he wanted it, I all but had it wash out on me dragging the forward controls and I wasn't going around a curve very fast either. I still like the lowered look but not for anything I am going to be riding. Its not a good feeling when you feel that back tire start scooting across the road and you feel the wieght of bike start pivoting. Please be careful.