Lowering my Train
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 29
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From: Vancouver
Lowering my Train
I will be lowering my '07 Night Train 1 1/2" before spring hits, what I would like to know is; how will this effect the ride? I suspect it will be firmer, but how about the stability and handling?
Are you using bolts? Reduced travel shocks? Air shocks? Are you lowering the front as well as the rear? All pertinent questions in order to ascertain how it might handle when done.
I lowered mine 2" front and rear with Ricor Intiminators added up front. Stock forks and tubes with progressive full kit, eBay bolts in the rear. No adverse handling once i tuned verything in (went with a 16" front wheel and 150 front tire. due to the difference in circumference, some adjustments had to be tuned in to get the rake and trail back to within the comfort zone). The ride is definitely stiffer, but not hateful. I increased the preload to help prevent bottoming out. Occasionally you'll hit a good pothole and nearly **** yourself, but that might happen even when stock. Haven't had any near death experiences, and have put some good 300 mile days on it with only the usual minor discomfort. Most of my pain is in the shoulder and neck,but that's up to my chiropractor and spine guy to fix! :-).
Post up some pics so we can check her out, and keep us posted on the progress! Also, the train pic thred is a great place to hang. Lots of good guys over there more than willing to help spend your hard earned cash! Might even want to ask the question there as well, if it can be done, someone in the train thread has done it (except maybe for fairings and bags, though I think one or two may have attempted that)......
I lowered mine 2" front and rear with Ricor Intiminators added up front. Stock forks and tubes with progressive full kit, eBay bolts in the rear. No adverse handling once i tuned verything in (went with a 16" front wheel and 150 front tire. due to the difference in circumference, some adjustments had to be tuned in to get the rake and trail back to within the comfort zone). The ride is definitely stiffer, but not hateful. I increased the preload to help prevent bottoming out. Occasionally you'll hit a good pothole and nearly **** yourself, but that might happen even when stock. Haven't had any near death experiences, and have put some good 300 mile days on it with only the usual minor discomfort. Most of my pain is in the shoulder and neck,but that's up to my chiropractor and spine guy to fix! :-).
Post up some pics so we can check her out, and keep us posted on the progress! Also, the train pic thred is a great place to hang. Lots of good guys over there more than willing to help spend your hard earned cash! Might even want to ask the question there as well, if it can be done, someone in the train thread has done it (except maybe for fairings and bags, though I think one or two may have attempted that)......
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
I used the HD lowering bolts on my '07 Train, adjusted the preload on the shocks and left the front stock.
Didn't cost much, the bike looks great, handles well even 2 up, and I think I may have scraped the kickstand once over the years laying low in the turns.
Didn't cost much, the bike looks great, handles well even 2 up, and I think I may have scraped the kickstand once over the years laying low in the turns.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
That's the price of looking good! Air ride really takes the cake though. Pricey, but everyone says it's worth it
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
I always read these posts, see the replies or comments to posts talking about their dragging or scrapping in turns. If one adjusts how they ride their NEW bike after suspension modifications there's no dragging or scraping. I say "new" because..........it's new! What some of us here has done to our suspension systems, it is literally like mounting a new and different bike for the first little while. Yes, we are familiar with our bikes but it rides and handles differently from what they were before, even if it's just "slightly". As far as what you want to install, the options are many. Just always remember, you get what you pay for.
EDIT: Air ride on a Softail is unbeatable and unmatched and very well worth every single penny.
EDIT: Air ride on a Softail is unbeatable and unmatched and very well worth every single penny.
Last edited by tbonetony06; Jan 7, 2014 at 10:26 PM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
I always read these posts, see the replies or comments to posts talking about their dragging or scrapping in turns. If one adjusts how they ride their NEW bike after suspension modifications there's no dragging or scraping. I say "new" because..........it's new! What some of us here has done to our suspension systems, it is literally like mounting a new and different bike for the first little while. Yes, we are familiar with our bikes but it rides and handles differently from what they were before, even if it's just "slightly". As far as what you want to install, the options are many. Just always remember, you get what you pay for.
EDIT: Air ride on a Softail is unbeatable and unmatched and very well worth every single penny.
EDIT: Air ride on a Softail is unbeatable and unmatched and very well worth every single penny.
I guess I don't consider scraping a kickstand once in 7 years on my Train anything to worry about or a reflection on my riding skills.
I know guys who have ridden professionally, who will take their baggers thru Tail Of The Dragon scraping boards. One of them says "if you ain't sparkin' you're parkin." I didn't sign the check for their bikes, so I figure it's none of my business, but I certainly won't claim there's anything wrong with their bikes or their skills.
As far as the ride of a softail or any other bike, I always say I know women who ride Sportys and hardtails to Daytona, and I know guys who can't ride across town with out an Ultra.
Bikes and asses aren't created equal...
Each to his own...
Last edited by *NIGHT TRAIN*; Jan 9, 2014 at 12:12 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 884
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From: n
I rode my friends lowered train a couple of times. Compared to the RK I was riding at the time, you had to put some effort into riding it and it rode a little rough-not unmanageable or particularly difficult. He would whine after a emptying a tank of gas nonstop It looked bad *** and the was best looking Harley on our block and there were more than a couple.
