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Lowering Heritage

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Old Sep 11, 2014 | 04:12 PM
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Question Lowering Heritage

I traded a month ago for a 2012 heritage with ABS. I added an engine guard, and for my next mod I want to lower it. I'm 5'6" and like the Deluxe height a bit more. The dealer quoted me 3 hours labor to install the lower shocks, or lowering Harley Bolts. They will only install Harley parts, and the labor seems excessive? I saw the lowermysoftail kit on line for $80, and thought maybe I could buy a lift and try my luck at installing it myself and come out ahead. They say it takes only an hour. Any thoughts or advice?
 
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Old Sep 11, 2014 | 04:28 PM
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If this is the kit that comes with collars for 1.5' and 2" lowering, i have done this kit. took me longer to read the instructions, but i have a lift table. looks great, and the ride didn't suffer much at all. in theory you have the same travel in your shocks, it just moves them back. i used the "no shock removal softail lowering kit" http://www.softailloweringkit.com

here is my slim, after lowering 2":


 

Last edited by TJ_HOOKER; Sep 11, 2014 at 04:32 PM.
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Old Sep 11, 2014 | 05:40 PM
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You could swap out the shocks for Progressive 422s (can lower ride as much as 2") or go with Shotgun Air Shocks (can lower to the frame).

The 422s will run you from $300-550 and the Shotgun Shocks will run you ~$1250.

If you go with the Shotgun Shocks you get the best of both worlds.
You can lower when cruising around town and raise it for long rides.

If I wanted to do what your speaking of I'd save my money and get the Shotgun Shocks.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2014 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by GuitarAce
I traded a month ago for a 2012 heritage with ABS. I added an engine guard, and for my next mod I want to lower it. I'm 5'6" and like the Deluxe height a bit more. The dealer quoted me 3 hours labor to install the lower shocks, or lowering Harley Bolts. They will only install Harley parts, and the labor seems excessive? I saw the lowermysoftail kit on line for $80, and thought maybe I could buy a lift and try my luck at installing it myself and come out ahead. They say it takes only an hour. Any thoughts or advice?
You may want to check where your shocks are adjusted now. There is about a 1" swing in seat height from the stiff setting to the soft setting. If you look at the shocks and the cans are adjusted all the way forward they are adjusted as stiff/high as possible. If you adjust the cans all the way to the rear it will be at the softest setting (1" lower) doesn't sound like much, but it is.
 

Last edited by checkers; Sep 11, 2014 at 08:55 PM.
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 02:13 AM
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Thanks for the replies!
I looked under the bike and my shocks are all the way back.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 08:42 AM
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I'm 5'8" with a 27" inseam and it was uncomfortable with the bike at the stock height so we went with the Shotgun Shock. This IS the best mod we made to our bike, the wife loves it as I lower it all the way down for her to get on the back seat and then I get on and raise the bike up to our two up riding height and the benefit is you can adjust the ride feel, we both have bad backs so adjusting it for a soft ride and still have the ground clearance when riding is a big plus and the looks when we stop and I lower the bike for her to get off is a trip. Save the money and get the Shotgun you will be glad you did.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2014 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by GuitarAce
Thanks for the replies!
I looked under the bike and my shocks are all the way back.
That's as low as it will go without a mod.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2014 | 11:14 AM
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I ordered the collar kit TJ Hooker installed. I have a choice of 1.5 or 2 inches lower. Thanks for all the suggestions!
 
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