Dropping the front...
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 358
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From: Florida
Dropping the front...
Alright I just got in a few miles yesterday with my new Shotgun shock installed. So far so good except one thing... I run D&D Fatcats for heritage now when dropped even a little I am scraping...no big deal who gonna see it anyways.
My question is I'm thinking about lowering the front end 1-2 inches, I run a 21 up front 16 out back, for better handling and to get rid of the soft forks with a drop kit and Ricors.
Will doing this help the scraping too by leveling out the bike some?
My question is I'm thinking about lowering the front end 1-2 inches, I run a 21 up front 16 out back, for better handling and to get rid of the soft forks with a drop kit and Ricors.
Will doing this help the scraping too by leveling out the bike some?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 6
From: Boston
Leveling you bike will make it scrape more evenly. LOL
I have drop in springs in the front to lower it.
I got mine from EP.
Here is the link.
http://www.easternperformance.com/pr...ftail-flt.html
obviously get the one that fits you year and model.
Don't listen to haters because there are plenty of them on here..
I scrape every time I ride.
You lower your bike, you MUST know that there are consequences when deviating from the stock design.
I have drop in springs in the front to lower it.
I got mine from EP.
Here is the link.
http://www.easternperformance.com/pr...ftail-flt.html
obviously get the one that fits you year and model.
Don't listen to haters because there are plenty of them on here..
I scrape every time I ride.
You lower your bike, you MUST know that there are consequences when deviating from the stock design.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
that's it right there... and the consequences aren't always desirable. Just lowering my rear an inch or two produces huge handling differences.
I run the SS at stock height most of the time now.
I'm considering the Progressive Monotubes for the front.
Well, at this point it's more than just considering, I really should do it since the SS on the rear has just amplified how unforgiving the front suspension really is...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Yep. Unless you just go straight all the time. But with your 21 up front your bikes geometry is off anyway and if you dont notice that then it probably wont matter.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
I think we have the same setup, I got 2" lower front with Ricor's , the handling is better than stock , but then again, adding recors to stock height would be far better 
.
As for your question, the answer is yes, the pipe will hit later as it is the far end tail that hits and this will actually be a tad higher, it is interesting and most people doe not believe it, but the swing pivot bolt is what it is.. a pivot. when you lower the front, the bike will swing around that pivot and everything attached to the front part will be lower until you reach the pivot where everything attached to this part will go ... 'higher'.. this will be mitigated by the fact that everything is a tad lower but still your tail piece of the pipe will be higher.
.As for your question, the answer is yes, the pipe will hit later as it is the far end tail that hits and this will actually be a tad higher, it is interesting and most people doe not believe it, but the swing pivot bolt is what it is.. a pivot. when you lower the front, the bike will swing around that pivot and everything attached to the front part will be lower until you reach the pivot where everything attached to this part will go ... 'higher'.. this will be mitigated by the fact that everything is a tad lower but still your tail piece of the pipe will be higher.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 358
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From: Florida
I dont know how much the geometry is off having a 21 up front. I switched my FX front to a FLST front so all I have had is 21...just different rake now. Main reason for dropping front is the soft front end...much more noticeable now with SS.
I have found I am riding stock height maybe just a "swoosh" lower on the SS...but I didnt get it for riding low...I wanted better 2 up comfort... But it is cool to roll up somewhere and drop that thing... lol
I have found I am riding stock height maybe just a "swoosh" lower on the SS...but I didnt get it for riding low...I wanted better 2 up comfort... But it is cool to roll up somewhere and drop that thing... lol
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
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From: Toronto, Ontario
I dont know how much the geometry is off having a 21 up front. I switched my FX front to a FLST front so all I have had is 21...just different rake now. Main reason for dropping front is the soft front end...much more noticeable now with SS.
I have found I am riding stock height maybe just a "swoosh" lower on the SS...but I didnt get it for riding low...I wanted better 2 up comfort... But it is cool to roll up somewhere and drop that thing... lol
I have found I am riding stock height maybe just a "swoosh" lower on the SS...but I didnt get it for riding low...I wanted better 2 up comfort... But it is cool to roll up somewhere and drop that thing... lol
As Klf stated, lowering the front will even out the bike and you will scrape less. Changing your riding habits a bit will also help. Start using more body lean and less bike lean. Don't be afraid to throw your body into it! I'm 2" lower front and rear and rarely scrape anything. If I do, it's usually in an off camber corner.
I also have the progressive full kit and Ricors up front.
If you are riding pretty much stock height, then your front end geometry isn't off much. Riding with only the rear lowered will change your trail, which will affect handling. I noticed significantly more low speed wheel flop and it was noticeably 'lighter' at speed when I switched from the 21 to the 16, which only lowered the front about 3/8". I can feel a handling difference raising or lowering the rear only 1/4".
I also have the progressive full kit and Ricors up front.
If you are riding pretty much stock height, then your front end geometry isn't off much. Riding with only the rear lowered will change your trail, which will affect handling. I noticed significantly more low speed wheel flop and it was noticeably 'lighter' at speed when I switched from the 21 to the 16, which only lowered the front about 3/8". I can feel a handling difference raising or lowering the rear only 1/4".
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