Front End Lowering kits
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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From: New Hampshire
Front End Lowering kits
Hey Everyone!
Looking to lower the front of my Softail Deluxe about 2". Is this something I could do myself you think or should I drop it at the local shop to be done? Also which one has everyone gone with when doing your own? and can I go lower then 2"? Im planning to keep the stock tire after lowering it but will eventually put on a 21".
Looking to lower the front of my Softail Deluxe about 2". Is this something I could do myself you think or should I drop it at the local shop to be done? Also which one has everyone gone with when doing your own? and can I go lower then 2"? Im planning to keep the stock tire after lowering it but will eventually put on a 21".
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,515
Likes: 1
From: malibu
I have the Progressive Drop In Kit in my FatBoy. I dropped mine about an inch and a half. I was afraid to go too low as I ryde with a crazy group that likes to hit the local twisters real hard!! Just like my last girlfriend, I think I'd be banging the hell outta the bottom 
Be ready for a stiffer response. The more performance suspension will give you more feedback from the road. Once you get a feel for her though, you'll love it.
There's a pretty good how-to in The April issue of HotBike. They drop a dyna 2in. Thatll give you an idea of the difficulty level.
Lemme know if you have any questions.
-Jason.
Be ready for a stiffer response. The more performance suspension will give you more feedback from the road. Once you get a feel for her though, you'll love it.
There's a pretty good how-to in The April issue of HotBike. They drop a dyna 2in. Thatll give you an idea of the difficulty level.
Lemme know if you have any questions.
-Jason.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
I saved some labor by taking the forks off the bike and dropped them at the Indy to have them swap the internals. I also went with the Progressive Drop In kit but my bike is still on the jack so I can't speak about the ride. Not sure you can or would want to go more than 2", have to have some travel left in the springs. lol
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 789
Likes: 3
From: Utah
I did the progressive drop in kit too but only got 1.5" as I also did the Ricor Intimitators. I thought the kit was extremely easy to install, but I guess that's all relative. just be sure you have all the right sized sockets, etc. before jumping in. I usually end up having to run to Autozone or wherever in the middle o every new job i do.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
I should have added that I swapped the lowers out for chrome to, so all the internals were removed is why I had the Indy do mine. But if your just lowering it you could do the drop in kit yourself without any special tools etc.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
I see that others have used and recommended the progressive drop in kit's but they don't say what kind. I don't know if they just dropped in new springs or the gas filled monotube kits. I dropped mine an inch with the progressive kit but I did not use the springs. I used the progressive gas filled monotubes in my front end and lowerd it an inch. I got away from the springs and went to the gas filled shocks because of the handling and to no longer have to deal with the "dipping" of the front end when hitting the brakes. I love these gas filled tubes, it feels so firm while handling and in the turns and this thing does not dip a fraction of an inch even if I stand on the front brakes. It is more expensive but to me, worth every single penny. Good luck and let us know what you decided to use.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,855
Likes: 3
From: North Carolina
Tony, the kind of Progressive kit that is mentioned is the "Drop-In Kit" which is a spring kit.
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Yes, the Intiminators are an oil valving system, and the ride will be similar to the gas tube shocks. They limit bike input (brake dive), and tune the wheel input (bumps and potholes).
There are 2 progressive kits for softails:
The "drop in" kit (which is only drop in on Dynas, a little bit more involved on softails) replaces only the main spring with a shorter progressive rate spring, and a small preload spring and spacer. This whole assembly gets "dropped in" the top of the fork tube, requiring the removal of only the fork top cap.
The Lowered Fork Spring kit includes a shorter progressive rate main spring, additional damper springs, and spacers. This kit requires the disassembly of the entire fork in order to install the damper springs. It should theoretically also give slightly better ride and handling compared to the drop in kit.
There are 2 progressive kits for softails:
The "drop in" kit (which is only drop in on Dynas, a little bit more involved on softails) replaces only the main spring with a shorter progressive rate spring, and a small preload spring and spacer. This whole assembly gets "dropped in" the top of the fork tube, requiring the removal of only the fork top cap.
The Lowered Fork Spring kit includes a shorter progressive rate main spring, additional damper springs, and spacers. This kit requires the disassembly of the entire fork in order to install the damper springs. It should theoretically also give slightly better ride and handling compared to the drop in kit.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,132
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From: Las Vegas
I don't know about gas, but the Ricors really helped my ride. Since the company is located near me, they also did the install. During the conversation, I was also informed that Ricor is currently working on something for the rear end if anyone is interested. However, I probably won't go that route since I have the Shotgun Shocks installed already.
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