Slamming a 2009 Fatboy....
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Richmond, VA
Slamming a 2009 Fatboy....
UPDATE, WITH PICS.....................
One of the guys I ride with has a very nice 2009 Fatboy with Apes. Clearly the bike is in need of lowering but he rides two up quite a bit. Neither him or his wife are large riders. Were talking less than 350 lbs max fully loaded with both of them, and gear. The 2009 Fatboy of course has that massive rear wheel. Can he safely lower it 2 full inches front and rear without clearance or rubbing issues? Were talking about the 20 dollar lowering bolts in the rear and the 99 dollar Progressive drop in kit for the front. As a practical matter, are there issues with that giant rear tire?
Please advise
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One of the guys I ride with has a very nice 2009 Fatboy with Apes. Clearly the bike is in need of lowering but he rides two up quite a bit. Neither him or his wife are large riders. Were talking less than 350 lbs max fully loaded with both of them, and gear. The 2009 Fatboy of course has that massive rear wheel. Can he safely lower it 2 full inches front and rear without clearance or rubbing issues? Were talking about the 20 dollar lowering bolts in the rear and the 99 dollar Progressive drop in kit for the front. As a practical matter, are there issues with that giant rear tire?
Please advise
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Last edited by bikerlaw; Feb 18, 2012 at 06:19 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Louisiana
I had mine lowered with the bolts. My wife and I together were about the same weight as you are inquiring about. With the bolts, my bike did bottom out quite a bit. It was hitting the bump stops, not the tire. It was actually horrible when we were both on it. My front is stock. I have since installed the Shotgun shock. Very pricey, but the best mod I have done to the bike.
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 37
From: Hoboken, NJ
Bolts suck. There's no way around it. Trust me, I know from experience.
2" pretty much pulls the Softail-style shock to its full length, leaving no space for it to act, you know... as a shock. I currently run the Progressive 422's and while margainally better and lowered almost 2", the ride is still... stiff. And I ride 1-up exclusively. I couldn't imagine what it'd be like with someone of even light weight on the back. Bump stop time.
2" pretty much pulls the Softail-style shock to its full length, leaving no space for it to act, you know... as a shock. I currently run the Progressive 422's and while margainally better and lowered almost 2", the ride is still... stiff. And I ride 1-up exclusively. I couldn't imagine what it'd be like with someone of even light weight on the back. Bump stop time.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Dayton
Bolts suck. There's no way around it. Trust me, I know from experience.
2" pretty much pulls the Softail-style shock to its full length, leaving no space for it to act, you know... as a shock. I currently run the Progressive 422's and while margainally better and lowered almost 2", the ride is still... stiff. And I ride 1-up exclusively. I couldn't imagine what it'd be like with someone of even light weight on the back. Bump stop time.
2" pretty much pulls the Softail-style shock to its full length, leaving no space for it to act, you know... as a shock. I currently run the Progressive 422's and while margainally better and lowered almost 2", the ride is still... stiff. And I ride 1-up exclusively. I couldn't imagine what it'd be like with someone of even light weight on the back. Bump stop time.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 37
From: Hoboken, NJ
Unfortuneatly, lowering a bike (or a car) presents its own set of unique issues. Suspension systems are designed to work in very specific ways when they're designed/built. Dampening/travel/handling... all of these are effected when you mess with ride height.
Benway, if you're planning on a lot of 2-up riding, I HIGHLY suggest air ride. It's really the ONLY way to go.
Benway, if you're planning on a lot of 2-up riding, I HIGHLY suggest air ride. It's really the ONLY way to go.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,566
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From: Detroit
There is a $495 air ride kit out...shocks, compressor, wiring, airlines and fittings, complete kit.
Nobody has tried one yet though...sure its not a Shotgun but then again its not $1400 either.
I am running the ultima shock and bolt kit so Ive been thinking of trying one but Im kind of saving for cams first.
Just thought i would throw that out there.
Nobody has tried one yet though...sure its not a Shotgun but then again its not $1400 either.
I am running the ultima shock and bolt kit so Ive been thinking of trying one but Im kind of saving for cams first.
Just thought i would throw that out there.
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Ultimate HDF Member
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From: Richmond, VA
Thanks for all the replies. So, what I hear is the bolts suck for two up rideing..... is that the bottom line? Even with the shocks turned as tight as they go, two up riding will still constantly bang the bump stops, correct?
Second, the Progressive 422's are only a little bit better? Is that correct? Is there a heavy duty version of 422's like there is with standard shock absorbers? Would you guys recommend something like that or would they ride like a brick solo?
Remember, I am a Dyna guy and have not owned a Softail in 10 years, so respond not as if I know what the hell your talking about but as some one who knows diddly about Softails. The one I owned had bone sock suspension I not only never so much as adjusted the suspension, I don't think I ever even bent down to look at it.
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Second, the Progressive 422's are only a little bit better? Is that correct? Is there a heavy duty version of 422's like there is with standard shock absorbers? Would you guys recommend something like that or would they ride like a brick solo?
Remember, I am a Dyna guy and have not owned a Softail in 10 years, so respond not as if I know what the hell your talking about but as some one who knows diddly about Softails. The one I owned had bone sock suspension I not only never so much as adjusted the suspension, I don't think I ever even bent down to look at it.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 32
From: Oregon
Heres the deal. You buy an $18000 Harley Davidson, Dont go cheap and dangerous on lowering your bike especially if your wife is on the back. IMO. When my Deluxe was stock loaded down with the bags, pack, and wife (130 lbs) on the back I would drag pipes all the time. Scary when not ready for it in a tight turn. Also the bike handles like **** when the *** is sagging from the weight. I put a shotgun on it now I just air up when were 2 up and the bike handles great. And another up side is to pull all the bags and seat off and ride it solo slammed. It was easy to convince my wife to buy the shotgun when I told her the bike would have a better ride with it. Good luck
Stone
Stone
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Ultimate HDF Member
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From: Richmond, VA
T-Stone, thats good advice. Actually that was the advice he got when this all started. When he found out a shotgun system was 1600 bucks delivered he immediately started looking at other options. Ain't know way "in his mind", he was gonna pay 10 percent of the bikes entire brand new value for a set of shocks. So thats how I got here to the Softail section asking for options. When I started my research what I found were lowering bolts and Progressives drop in kits, as well as lowering shocks. Since damn near every single Softy on this forum appears to be lowered, I thought this was a simple deal. But JUST LIKE IN THE DYNA SECTION, there are battle royals over what is the best, safest, smartest, most cost effective and right way to lower the bike. I'm the middle man, I can only pass the info along. But believe me when I say this, thanks to each person who replied with advice. I would not have asked it, if it wasn't important to the people involved.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Albany, NY
There is a $495 air ride kit out...shocks, compressor, wiring, airlines and fittings, complete kit.
Nobody has tried one yet though...sure its not a Shotgun but then again its not $1400 either.
I am running the ultima shock and bolt kit so Ive been thinking of trying one but Im kind of saving for cams first.
Just thought i would throw that out there.
Nobody has tried one yet though...sure its not a Shotgun but then again its not $1400 either.
I am running the ultima shock and bolt kit so Ive been thinking of trying one but Im kind of saving for cams first.
Just thought i would throw that out there.