Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Ventura County, CA
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
It should work fine. Same frame, same shock mounting system! Have fun, post pics. [/align][/align][/align]
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ORIGINAL: dl03
anyone do the burnout kit on a heritage?
anyone do the burnout kit on a heritage?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 12
From:
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
ORIGINAL: SoCalFXSTI
It should work fine. Same frame, same shock mounting system! Have fun, post pics. [/align][/align][/align]
[/align]
It should work fine. Same frame, same shock mounting system! Have fun, post pics. [/align][/align][/align]
ORIGINAL: dl03
anyone do the burnout kit on a heritage?
anyone do the burnout kit on a heritage?
did u have to change the k-stand.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 335
Likes: 12
From:
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
i have been doing alot of research on the burnout kit. i have decided that i want to do it.
now.my ? is. i do my share of 2-up. she's goin to kill me for this. she wieghs about 160 i am 165. what do u think is the lowest i can go without bottoming out. i was thinking 1- 1.5" max.
thanks.
jay.
now.my ? is. i do my share of 2-up. she's goin to kill me for this. she wieghs about 160 i am 165. what do u think is the lowest i can go without bottoming out. i was thinking 1- 1.5" max.
thanks.
jay.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
Same question here as dl03. I do 2-up with wife. Had been 2-up on my Sporty but since we got the FX, our Sporties are both pretty much exclusively 1-up. We have no experience riding 2-up on the BT so not sure how low we can go before we have clearance issues.
Another question... If stock HD shocks are good enough to put on every bike, why do mechs routinely suggest replacing them rather than using a lowering kit? Does a lowering kit change the dynamic and ride that much as to render the stock shock ineffective or unsafe? With the Ness and other kits, you are only changing a bolt. With the Burnout kit there isn't even any disassembly of the shock. Is that really such a major modification?
Another question... If stock HD shocks are good enough to put on every bike, why do mechs routinely suggest replacing them rather than using a lowering kit? Does a lowering kit change the dynamic and ride that much as to render the stock shock ineffective or unsafe? With the Ness and other kits, you are only changing a bolt. With the Burnout kit there isn't even any disassembly of the shock. Is that really such a major modification?
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
If you just change the length of the shock mount it still has its full travel capacity. Normally the shock limits the whells travel to stop it befor it can hit anything. But changing its stock unladen lengthtoo much might let the wheel travel far enough to hit the inside of the fender at full deflection.
I'm not to sure that would be a good idea as there are nuts and bolts up there (seat mountings?) that could easily do a number on atire.
One of the first times I rode my Custom with the wife on the back I went down the sidewalk to the neighborsdriveway and went into the street at an angle. When I did that I hit a bump in corner of it. There was a BIG grinding noise from the rear so I stopped to see what had happened. I didn't see anything so we got back on andwent on down the street, but the noise started up again everytime I hit a dip.
That didn't sit well with the wife, we just paid all that money to geta bike big enough to carry both of us and here it was makeing protest noises when we were on it.
I stopped again and looked closer and found that the reflector that "was"mounted to the bottom of the plate had hit the tire at the first bump and was foldedup underneath. Everytime I hit a small dip in the road the tire would hit it making a loud and ugly noise. I took it off and its been fine ever since, but I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it any more without some kind of hard physical stop in thereif the two of us expect to ride on it again.
I'm not to sure that would be a good idea as there are nuts and bolts up there (seat mountings?) that could easily do a number on atire.
One of the first times I rode my Custom with the wife on the back I went down the sidewalk to the neighborsdriveway and went into the street at an angle. When I did that I hit a bump in corner of it. There was a BIG grinding noise from the rear so I stopped to see what had happened. I didn't see anything so we got back on andwent on down the street, but the noise started up again everytime I hit a dip.
That didn't sit well with the wife, we just paid all that money to geta bike big enough to carry both of us and here it was makeing protest noises when we were on it.
I stopped again and looked closer and found that the reflector that "was"mounted to the bottom of the plate had hit the tire at the first bump and was foldedup underneath. Everytime I hit a small dip in the road the tire would hit it making a loud and ugly noise. I took it off and its been fine ever since, but I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it any more without some kind of hard physical stop in thereif the two of us expect to ride on it again.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Texas
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
When I wanted to lower my FXST, I was going to go with a lowering kit, but decided to just go with HD's lowered shocks. The ride wasn't compromised that way. It still looks good tho...
[IMG]local://upfiles/3956/52A5B3C6D61D4411AB0C8CD559365726.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/3956/52A5B3C6D61D4411AB0C8CD559365726.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Likes: 0
From: Southern Califas
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
I just installed the burnout kit, and it was a bitch!!! I had to remove the little carbon air filter before I could install the lowering kit. It took me about 5 hours. I can probably do it now in 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
The payoff: It looks bitchin' I lower mine 2 1/2." Kind of low.I don't want to mess my fish tails on every turn! I'll probably raise it 1/2." I'll post some pictures later today.
With 2-up you're better off going 1 to 1 1/2" low.
The payoff: It looks bitchin' I lower mine 2 1/2." Kind of low.I don't want to mess my fish tails on every turn! I'll probably raise it 1/2." I'll post some pictures later today.
With 2-up you're better off going 1 to 1 1/2" low.
ORIGINAL: dl03
i have been doing alot of research on the burnout kit. i have decided that i want to do it.
now.my ? is. i do my share of 2-up. she's goin to kill me for this. she wieghs about 160 i am 165. what do u think is the lowest i can go without bottoming out. i was thinking 1- 1.5" max.
thanks.
jay.
i have been doing alot of research on the burnout kit. i have decided that i want to do it.
now.my ? is. i do my share of 2-up. she's goin to kill me for this. she wieghs about 160 i am 165. what do u think is the lowest i can go without bottoming out. i was thinking 1- 1.5" max.
thanks.
jay.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
I have the burnout kit as well.. love it.
I went about 1" and that seems perfect for mew (alot of 2up riding) and i dont hink id go much farther. definitely stiffened the ride a bit but not bad, i think it looks so much better and is more comfortable.
I went about 1" and that seems perfect for mew (alot of 2up riding) and i dont hink id go much farther. definitely stiffened the ride a bit but not bad, i think it looks so much better and is more comfortable.
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Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
I had to lower my bike just to reach the ground, I think I'm the shortest rider here.
note...my ol lady's V star has 1 1/2 " more ground clearance at the frame, a stock seat, and I can flat foot sitting on it with a slight knee bend...go figure
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington, MD
RE: Lowering Softail - Opinions Wanted
I'm not sure what lowering kit I have, but I will be changing my shocks to air suspension. It doesn't bottom out or anything, Just want a smoother ride. Ride is a little harsh on the hind parts after a few hours.