OEM or Lowering Kit??
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Got one, thanks!
Indeed! If I had wanted a hardtail I'd have bought one!!
Indeed! If I had wanted a hardtail I'd have bought one!!
Last edited by BrianG; Dec 22, 2011 at 10:55 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: United States
Baaaahaaahaaa.... it might be! I have something of a winter project planned.
I'm actually going to try to get some cornering clearance and some suspension travel out of this thing so that it rides like a motorcycle rather than a sled.
I'd like to see the rear end with 3" of bump travel (3:1) and the front end set to provide 32* of rake with a Touring 17" laced, dual disc front wheel and a CT on the 16" laced rear.
The jugs and heads are at Bean's getting drilled to add a little poop, and a set of A37b cams are on the way, too.
This should keep me out of the bar for most of the winter. It's cold up here!!
I'm actually going to try to get some cornering clearance and some suspension travel out of this thing so that it rides like a motorcycle rather than a sled.
I'd like to see the rear end with 3" of bump travel (3:1) and the front end set to provide 32* of rake with a Touring 17" laced, dual disc front wheel and a CT on the 16" laced rear.
The jugs and heads are at Bean's getting drilled to add a little poop, and a set of A37b cams are on the way, too.
This should keep me out of the bar for most of the winter. It's cold up here!!
I'm Confused! This doesnt even make sense to me. Do you bottom out on the rear now? IMO raising it wouldn't do anything for you other than worse stability. What kind of cornering are you doing on a cruiser? Unless your hitting the dirt tracks.
I've never heard someone wanting to raise the rear end. Hope it works out for you.
Last edited by Green Hornet; Dec 23, 2011 at 01:01 AM.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 302
Likes: 4
From: Edmonton, AB, Canada
LOL.... No.
Sorry, I didn't mean to throw anyone off. I bought this bike recently and I am somewhat disconcerted by the lack of ground clearance. I was told that the PO had "lowered" the bike because she was quite short. I discovered that she had had a 130/XX -16 tire installed on the back to further lower it. So, I am not looking to raise the rear end for the sake of raising it, but rather trying to determine if it should be raised to regain the original position.
Since I cannot uncover any data on ride height measurement for this model, I am attempting to sort out the suspension parts to attempt to regain the OEM chassis geometry, with the presumption that this bike wasn't designed to handle like the slug that it is now. I don't expect it to run like my Ducati, but it can't even run away from itself as it is.
BTW, Hornet, your comment about "worse" stability is almost right. Rear ride height affects a number of things, but in terms of stability, mostly it affects steering head rake angle. As that angle is decreased, by raising the rear ride height, stability is indeed decreased (rather than worsened) or it could be said that maneuverability is increased, depending on one's goal. This FLSTCI carries 32* of rake while a sport bike may carry a little as 23* of rake, so I'm thinking that instability is a long ways further away than ride height adjustment will take me. I am just seeking to regain/optimize the chassis performance within the design parameters.
Frankly, I am at a loss to understand the HD crowd's preoccupation with chassis detuning by lowering everything. Perhaps there are no corners in some states.
I'm Confused! This doesnt even make sense to me. Do you bottom out on the rear now? IMO raising it wouldn't do anything for you other than worse stability. What kind of cornering are you doing on a cruiser? Unless your hitting the dirt tracks.
I've never heard someone wanting to raise the rear end. Hope it works out for you.
I've never heard someone wanting to raise the rear end. Hope it works out for you.
Since I cannot uncover any data on ride height measurement for this model, I am attempting to sort out the suspension parts to attempt to regain the OEM chassis geometry, with the presumption that this bike wasn't designed to handle like the slug that it is now. I don't expect it to run like my Ducati, but it can't even run away from itself as it is.
BTW, Hornet, your comment about "worse" stability is almost right. Rear ride height affects a number of things, but in terms of stability, mostly it affects steering head rake angle. As that angle is decreased, by raising the rear ride height, stability is indeed decreased (rather than worsened) or it could be said that maneuverability is increased, depending on one's goal. This FLSTCI carries 32* of rake while a sport bike may carry a little as 23* of rake, so I'm thinking that instability is a long ways further away than ride height adjustment will take me. I am just seeking to regain/optimize the chassis performance within the design parameters.
Frankly, I am at a loss to understand the HD crowd's preoccupation with chassis detuning by lowering everything. Perhaps there are no corners in some states.
Last edited by BrianG; Dec 23, 2011 at 10:03 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
My fatboy is lowered 2 inches. I had no problem in the curves, most of the people I ride with can't keep up with me, but it also doesn't bother me scraping my pipes and floorboards around corners. Besides, if I want to get really aggressive I take my gixxer.
On a side note, I have a set of stock softail shock with <5k miles on them for sale.
On a side note, I have a set of stock softail shock with <5k miles on them for sale.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: United States
ok yah makes more sense now that your trying to get it more back to original height! good luck with it. What were the original sized rims on that model that year? What is that a heritage? i think those are stock with 16's, I could definatly be wrong.
Last edited by Green Hornet; Dec 24, 2011 at 03:09 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: east texas
"""looks like stock shocks with lowering bolts on em!!
i have lowering bolts on mine,looks better but killer on the lower back!"""
Plus 1..
I am doing the same thing to my 03 Fatty..
previous owner lowered it . "looked cool", rode like a stump!
after scraping foot boards. and the thunderheader, I raised the rear.
Even scraped the frame going over small bumps in the pavement..
I am now pulling the progressive lowering springs out of the forks.
there were no spacer's in it. had less than one inch of travel.
added spacer's to raise it , that made it too stiff. they are coming out.
Obtained some stock , straight wound springs ..
they will go in next...
i have lowering bolts on mine,looks better but killer on the lower back!"""
Plus 1..
I am doing the same thing to my 03 Fatty..
previous owner lowered it . "looked cool", rode like a stump!
after scraping foot boards. and the thunderheader, I raised the rear.
Even scraped the frame going over small bumps in the pavement..
I am now pulling the progressive lowering springs out of the forks.
there were no spacer's in it. had less than one inch of travel.
added spacer's to raise it , that made it too stiff. they are coming out.
Obtained some stock , straight wound springs ..
they will go in next...
Last edited by heybaylor; Dec 24, 2011 at 10:32 AM.