Cut shocks?

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Apr 21, 2016 | 01:44 PM

tmultra

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,287

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From: USA

Cut shocks?

So I've been searching and haven't found much info. Is it possible to cut an inch or two off the stock rear springs to lower it? I will eventually buy shorter shocks but due to a job transfer I lost a lot of my overtime which was my play money. So I'm trying to do what I can for low cost and utilize the money I have elsewhere on the bike. I know this isn't the ideal way to go but wondering if it's even possible

Apr 21, 2016 | 01:45 PM

tmultra

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,287

Likes: 592

From: USA

By the way this is on an 883 not the ultra classic listed on my signature

Apr 21, 2016 | 04:10 PM

heybaylor

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 2,601

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From: east texas

You cant cut the springs, they are designed with enough "preload" to hold the spring keepers in place.
cut them and the keepers will fall out =not good

Apr 21, 2016 | 04:42 PM

saddleupmc

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 321

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From: Canuckistan

If you have to lower your bike get lowering blocks, they are inexpensive.

Apr 21, 2016 | 05:06 PM

drinktothat421

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 1,135

Likes: 73

From: california

Quote:

Originally Posted by saddleupmc

If you have to lower your bike get lowering blocks, they are inexpensive.

this or just strut it out.

Apr 21, 2016 | 06:50 PM

Scuba10jdl

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2009

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If you cut the springs, they will coil bind before full travel. They're not designed with enough margin for any cutting. Also, cutting it will reduce the number of coils, which increases the spring rate.

Last edited by Scuba10jdl; Apr 21, 2016 at 06:53 PM.

Apr 21, 2016 | 07:15 PM

tmultra

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 1,287

Likes: 592

From: USA

I had found one old thread where guys were cutting then adjusting the preloads to the max. Couldn't find anything recent. I will just buy new shocks but I was curious. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ower-bike.html