I have the bolts. Not hard to install but once I took off my shocks, I paid a shop to swap on the bolts. Still cheaper than the collars. If I did it again, I would do the colllars. Much easier to install. I still am baffled at the people who say bolts and collars kill the ride. That's utter nonsense. You are reinstalling the exact same shocks on the exact same bike. Its just lower.

 

If you're not mechanically inclined, the bolts can be quite a challenge. You also have to have a press or be very innovative with a floor jack (as I did).

I agree about the ride. It should be exactly the same except it will bottom out sooner. I would tend to diss the cheap solution too, if I had just dropped $1500 on air shocks or $400 on 442s. Human nature.

 

Has anybody tried the Arlen Ness kit for lowering. Come with 2 specially designed dampeners 2 adjustable rear shock adjusters and a 1' shorter kickstand. On ebay for $160 is it worth it? Has anyone used this before or any thoughts on it?

 

I don't see anyone in here dissing on "the cheap solution"?
Maybe you are reading a different thread.

 

Well, the term difficult is different for everyone. Lol

The bolts require a press or some way to compress the shock and you also have to remove the entire shock.

I have the lowering collars and they are very easy...even for someone like me that is not a wrench.

 

I have had bolts, 422's, and Shotgun Shock. If you have the cash, buy the Shotgun. If you don't, buy the bolts or the Dead Creek Cycles kit while you save up for the Shotgun.

 

I agree, go with the bolts until you can afford the shotguns. No sense in putting any big amount of money into the 422's, save that towards the shotgun and use the bolts until then. I have yet to see anyone "Diss" anything other than the shotguns. Most of us also know how money is at times, tight!! I have had many bikes in my day and it is only the last few years I could get what I want and able to afford what I want. The shotgun is the best over anything else and I see many state that too but I don't think that is "Dissing" any of the other products. It's just what we all have found out who have tried others then gone with the Shotgun. I did something I rarely do and that was to go straight to the shotgun based only on what I read here and it was one of the best things I ever did. We all should chip in a buck or two over some kind of game or contest and then the winner every year gets the Shotgun Shock air suspension system as the prize!!! Just a thought!

 

Got my lowering kit from the company that makes it...

http://www.softailloweringkit.com/index.html

Have not yet had time to install it though...too damn busy these days.

 

Thanks for all of the advise guys. I think I am going with the collars until I save the cash for the shotguns. Great site and I on am every night

 

Listen, all you guys out there with questions about lowering your bikes and from those of us who have the Shotgun. I am sure all of us, or let me speak for myself. Before the Shotgun install on my bike I had the Burlee lowering bolts and the reason I had those was because I was not a member of this website at that time and I wanted to lower my Deluxe. After I got this bike and signed up on this website I knew nothing of or about the Shotgun shock. I read and read on here and other sites about air suspension systems because in the end, thats what I wanted. We all know how tight money can be, I raised 2 kids all on my own, ****, there were days I went without food! Well, the kids are grown now, I'm on my own and I started making a pretty good buck over time at work with the raises and yearly bonus's., I had no other bills but living expenses. I finally just said the heck with it, I ordered the shotgun shock and had it installed. Well, I have never had so much fun riding since, well, since I was a kid and the ride and comfort level is off the chart. If you can't afford the Shotgun, we all know the feeling as I am sure we have all been there. We all know one has to live, put the kids 1st, food and pay the bills. I think what we, all of us who have one on our bikes, is saying that IF and WHEN the time comes that you are able to afford one and put it on your bike that it will be the best money you can spend on your bike. I think we are also saying is if you want to lower your bike to do so in the least expensive way you can UNTIL you can afford the Shotgun, we are not "dissing" anyone or any other product out there. We are just saying to go the least expensive way possible, saving what you can UNTIL the day comes when you are able to spring for the rest of one because you will be all smiles from ear to ear when you do. It just takes riding to a whole new level and again speaking for myself, thats all I would want for any of my riding brothers out there. The Shotgun is that good and the Shotgun is that much fun.