I want to lower my 05 Fatboy and just thought I'd see if anyone can give me some insite? Like brands to use maybe or things to watch out for, or maybe is it not a good idea.....anything will help out!

 

I lowered my FXST this past winter. Looks great! I used the HD lowering kit and had a mech put them into the shocks. Then I did the install on the scoot. Looks will be there with the lowering kit. The ride is a tad bit rougher on the bumpies and when I am two up on the bumpies. Some suggest that the air shock route is the way to go $$$. I spent 100 buck total to do mine. You could also buy lowered shocks which will not comp the ride you have.

100 bucks vs. 250 vs. some more.

I think Arlen Ness makes a lowering kit for Softail which HD copied. Less expensive to. Ask SAM at Direct parts if he can get that kit for you!

Warren

 

I lowered my 03 Fat Boy and really like the look. The only problem is I always scrape my floorboards around a nice turn. HD does make a new set or boards that are tappered and I may swap but I like the look alot. The way I did mine was to lower the fork with differant springs and I purchased HD lowering rear chrome shocks. This was the costly way to do it but the ride is nice and I dont have some KIT that has altered my suspension. Watch out for the reduced amount of fork oil used and you need the new kick stand.

 

Cool guys, thanks for the info so far. I hear about the floor board thing and am worried about that a bit. I will look into the HD ones...good call. The ride is my greatest concern, specially with 2.....air ride is expensive....but maybe worth it?

 

My NT (2001) came lowered (Arlen Ness fit, front and rear). I hate it. IMO softails are low enough already. I have no experience to make this comment, but I think it probably doenst handle as well. Scrapped pegs only once though. I spent $180 to have the local shop RAISE the front end, and I took out all the extra adjustment in the reshocks to raise it also. ALthough I think it is still lowered some, I like it raised much better. LOOKS? Sure a lowered looks better, but I want handling and performance, well, atleast as much as a Harley can give. Currently thinking about the Race TEch cartridge kit or the new Harley certridge front end for better handling and performance. Good luck with your mod.

 

Canuck,

My bro-in-law is CaliFatBoy and he did some work on his. Take a look at his bike in the Photo Gallery. He can probably give you some insight into the pro's/con's of doing this to your fatty.

Al.

 

heard good and bad. i would like to do the same to my '05 but i already scratch my floorboards daily. i think if i ever do id get ride of the floorboards cause i could see them being a problem.

but have talked to several with lowered fatboys and they all say its fine. have had a few mention scratching the frame- i dont like the sound of that much

 

I would go with the HD low profile shocks which I ended up putting my Heritage .The ride was too harsh with the kit and pulled em off ..There is a definite difference in the ride .Theyre a little pricey though ..

 

I wouldn't even consider lowering a Softail if you plan to do much riding. They might look cool, but you will loose the ability to go around a corner in the twistys. My wife has a stock 2001 Heritage and she scrapes a lot. She has had to slow down considerably compared to her old Lowrider.

Just an opinion.

Regards,

Bill