Night Train: Lowering it question.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
Sheers has hit the nail on the head, I have done it all and must say the best way is a set of shotguns in the rear and shorter tubes in the ft. I have had bolts, shocks, ft springs, each does what they say they will do but theree are trade offs in the ride quality. With the roads in the northeast here the progressive springs in the ft is great on smooth roads but when in a bunch of small bumps the ft wheel skips over the road and when you are in a corner and the ft skips like that it's interesting. With bolts and shocks in the rear the bumps are harder and the interstates here are bumpy, thats why I have airride it makes it so much more rideable. Just my thoughts on this do what you can afford
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Quincy,IL.
Wow! Thank you guys for your responses.
Very useful information. I quick searched eBay for the air ride, I must say, wow! About 1k.
Gotta pay to play is my thinking. I'm shopping.
Thanx
Mick.
Very useful information. I quick searched eBay for the air ride, I must say, wow! About 1k.
Gotta pay to play is my thinking. I'm shopping.
Thanx
Mick.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 8
From: Chattanooga Tn
Naw air ride systems aren't cheap. But start out with bolts and down tha road upgrade. That's what most of us ended up doin. Plus I've seen a few air rides hit the classified section on here when folks get ready to trade in they're softails.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 1
From: Rowlett, Texas
Sheers has hit the nail on the head, I have done it all and must say the best way is a set of shotguns in the rear and shorter tubes in the ft. I have had bolts, shocks, ft springs, each does what they say they will do but theree are trade offs in the ride quality. With the roads in the northeast here the progressive springs in the ft is great on smooth roads but when in a bunch of small bumps the ft wheel skips over the road and when you are in a corner and the ft skips like that it's interesting. With bolts and shocks in the rear the bumps are harder and the interstates here are bumpy, thats why I have airride it makes it so much more rideable. Just my thoughts on this do what you can afford
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 720
Likes: 3
Not sure why some are saying that the ride is stiffer with lowering bolts. They shouldn't change the ride quality whatsoever as all they do is lenthen the shock thus moving the swingarm up in it's swing. If you adjust the preload higher on the shocks of course the ride will stiffen up.
Air rides are a hassle just because you have to remove it every time you want to drain the trans oil.
A good set of shocks like Progressives provide a good ride while lowering the bike and not having to yank them every time you want to maintenance the transmission.
Air rides are a hassle just because you have to remove it every time you want to drain the trans oil.
A good set of shocks like Progressives provide a good ride while lowering the bike and not having to yank them every time you want to maintenance the transmission.
Mine is lowered front and back 2 inches with progressive 422's and drop ins.kind of pricey but like ash says you can pick them up on the soft tail thread when someone upgrades to air shocks,with the 422 you can adjust them up or down with a little effort,mine are set in the middle and i ride two up and the ride is ok.THE MIDDLE BEING THE PRE LOAD.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
When lowering the front with shorter tubes do you have to change out the springs? Or is there just a bit more preload with the stock springs in the shorter tubes?
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
The tubes come pre-assembled complete with springs. You just install them in your lowers, install the seals, fill with fluid and your good.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Quincy,IL.
Thank you for your responses yall!
Saw these on ebay,..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
Are these ok?
Do you have a link for the 422's?
Saw these on ebay,..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT
Are these ok?
Do you have a link for the 422's?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
I lowered the Train about 2" in the rear with a bolt kit.
I sure as hell can't tell any difference from the stock setup, have never bottomed out, and haven't had any complaints from the ladies who ride with me.
I always say, some people I know can't ride across town without an Ultra, and I also know a couple of women who don't think anything of riding their own rigid frame bikes to Daytona every year.
Diferent strokes.
I sure as hell can't tell any difference from the stock setup, have never bottomed out, and haven't had any complaints from the ladies who ride with me.
I always say, some people I know can't ride across town without an Ultra, and I also know a couple of women who don't think anything of riding their own rigid frame bikes to Daytona every year.
Diferent strokes.