another softail lowering bolt question
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Fort Benning GA
another softail lowering bolt question
OK so because of my budget I had to forgo my lowering shocks and get some lowering bolts from LA Choppers. They are pretty much the same as the Arlen Ness ones in the looks department and they seem the same in the install department as well. Here is my question...
I ride 2 sometimes. My wife is 5'8'' 125lbs. What is the best adjustment point (ie. lowest I can go) that I can do with these bolts?
A guy at a shop we where at said something about adjusting it so "she don't fly off the back when you hit a bump doin' 70 on the 'spressway" and she is freaked out. I know the solution is to just suck it up, wait, and get another kit that has better ride quality but I really need to get this thing lowered. Its been in enduro mode way to long. Also any tricks or problems I might run into when I lower the front (LA Choppers front kit as well).
Thanks dudes
Chris
I ride 2 sometimes. My wife is 5'8'' 125lbs. What is the best adjustment point (ie. lowest I can go) that I can do with these bolts?
A guy at a shop we where at said something about adjusting it so "she don't fly off the back when you hit a bump doin' 70 on the 'spressway" and she is freaked out. I know the solution is to just suck it up, wait, and get another kit that has better ride quality but I really need to get this thing lowered. Its been in enduro mode way to long. Also any tricks or problems I might run into when I lower the front (LA Choppers front kit as well).
Thanks dudes
Chris
Hey Chris, haven't seen ya around in a bit! Bikes lookin good, but I agree, def needs lowered.
I'm running the bolts and have it dropped the full 2" right now, both front and rear. I do very little 2 up, the girls got her own, and it's a pretty stiff ride. I get bounced out the seat a bit on big wallops, so someone on the back might get it worse. I would say you could probably get away 1"-1.5", but crank the preload up a bit to prevent bottoming out.
Up front I went with the full 2" Progressive kit (non drop in) and a set of Ricor Intiminators to smooth it out a bit. No complaints, it rides as I expected, mostly smooth, but the big wallops do smack ya around a bit. Good luck, can't wait to see the finished product!
I'm running the bolts and have it dropped the full 2" right now, both front and rear. I do very little 2 up, the girls got her own, and it's a pretty stiff ride. I get bounced out the seat a bit on big wallops, so someone on the back might get it worse. I would say you could probably get away 1"-1.5", but crank the preload up a bit to prevent bottoming out.
Up front I went with the full 2" Progressive kit (non drop in) and a set of Ricor Intiminators to smooth it out a bit. No complaints, it rides as I expected, mostly smooth, but the big wallops do smack ya around a bit. Good luck, can't wait to see the finished product!
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Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Dayton
I think the Heritage sits up extra high, cuz I lowered it the full 2 inches and it looks like it could go 2 more. Either way, went out for an afternoon with the wife on board and she said we only bottomed out twice and it wasn't that bad, so.... Your wife is pretty light too, so I wouldn't think it would be much of a problem for you.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Fort Benning GA
Hey Chris, haven't seen ya around in a bit! Bikes lookin good, but I agree, def needs lowered.
I'm running the bolts and have it dropped the full 2" right now, both front and rear. I do very little 2 up, the girls got her own, and it's a pretty stiff ride. I get bounced out the seat a bit on big wallops, so someone on the back might get it worse. I would say you could probably get away 1"-1.5", but crank the preload up a bit to prevent bottoming out.
Up front I went with the full 2" Progressive kit (non drop in) and a set of Ricor Intiminators to smooth it out a bit. No complaints, it rides as I expected, mostly smooth, but the big wallops do smack ya around a bit. Good luck, can't wait to see the finished product!
I'm running the bolts and have it dropped the full 2" right now, both front and rear. I do very little 2 up, the girls got her own, and it's a pretty stiff ride. I get bounced out the seat a bit on big wallops, so someone on the back might get it worse. I would say you could probably get away 1"-1.5", but crank the preload up a bit to prevent bottoming out.
Up front I went with the full 2" Progressive kit (non drop in) and a set of Ricor Intiminators to smooth it out a bit. No complaints, it rides as I expected, mostly smooth, but the big wallops do smack ya around a bit. Good luck, can't wait to see the finished product!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 4
From: Florida
If you want to adjust the preload you will need a spanner wrench which you can get at the stealership for about $12.00. on the face of the shocks there are holes around the edges that the wrench fits into and you turn the shock countercloskwise to increase the preload. If you search this you will find some good information about how many turns for how much wieght you are running. The problem will be that if you set it up for 2 up it will be stiff when riding solo and vise versa. I dropped mine two inches and it feels so much better and I like the front end stock it feels like better ride.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Fort Benning GA
If you want to adjust the preload you will need a spanner wrench which you can get at the stealership for about $12.00. on the face of the shocks there are holes around the edges that the wrench fits into and you turn the shock countercloskwise to increase the preload. If you search this you will find some good information about how many turns for how much wieght you are running. The problem will be that if you set it up for 2 up it will be stiff when riding solo and vise versa. I dropped mine two inches and it feels so much better and I like the front end stock it feels like better ride.
Does anyone have the size of the spanner wrench used to adjust the preload or the dog bone used to remove the shock?
If they are a universal fitting then please excuse my cherry question.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
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From: Florida
The spanner wrench is dfferent for different models but I think all softails are the same. I got mine from the dealer at parts counter and he even went back to the service dept to check it for me to be sure it was right size.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Republic of Texas
I want to start off by saying that if you are in the market to save money then I hope the bolts you bought didn't cost you more than $16.00. I lowered my Deluxe with bolts and at first while riding solo it bottomed out like crazy. I adjusted the preload one turn from max and now it only bottoms out on very hard bumps. But, I ride solo 99.9% of the time because my wife is scared of motorcycles. I weigh 190 if that helps any. Below is a link to the bolts I used. These guys are on this forum under a different name. These bolts are of the same quality as the one's costing over $100.00 they are just not branded with a high priced name.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-2012-Ha...sories&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-2012-Ha...sories&vxp=mtr
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Fort Benning GA
The bolts where free. A dude switched his out for air ride and gave them to me. Yea me!!!
Chris