Replace shocks for solid struts on 2016 883 Iron
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Devon, United Kingdom
Replace shocks for solid struts on 2016 883 Iron
Hi guys
I always use this forum for general knowledge and how tos, but this is my first post.
I've got an 883 Iron, but hate the height of the rear fender - just doesn't look right to me.
I've been looking at ways to sort this, and am really just fishing for ideas, other options and people to pick out problems I haven't thought about yet. Here goes..
There's 3 options I've narrowed it down to, what do you guys think?
1) Replace the rear shocks - I've been looking at the Burly Slammer kit. This seems like a pretty good kit for what I'm after. No bells & whistles, just low.
2) Replace the rear shocks with solid struts, and get myself a springer seat. This is a hell of a lot cheaper (because I'm wanting a new seat either way), but what issues would it cause? Could it do any damage to my engine or other parts of the bike, because there's nothing inbetween the crap roads in Devon, and the engine mounting points etc. How would it be to ride? Any of you guys hate or love it?
3) Mount the rear fender to the swing arm, and leave the standard suspension on there. This, I'm guessing, will be fairly expensive to do as Id have to get a fabricator to do it. I often have people on the back as well, and can't get my head around how I'd still have a pillion seat.
In the future I'm planning on chopping the rear fender, upgrading to the NRSH 1250 kit, and a few other bits - turning this into a little bobber project - I'd love to see your Irons!
I'm also wanting to chuck a wider tire on. What's the widest I can go on the standard wheels and swingarm etc?
Sorry for all the questions, and Thanks in advance!
I always use this forum for general knowledge and how tos, but this is my first post.
I've got an 883 Iron, but hate the height of the rear fender - just doesn't look right to me.
I've been looking at ways to sort this, and am really just fishing for ideas, other options and people to pick out problems I haven't thought about yet. Here goes..
There's 3 options I've narrowed it down to, what do you guys think?
1) Replace the rear shocks - I've been looking at the Burly Slammer kit. This seems like a pretty good kit for what I'm after. No bells & whistles, just low.
2) Replace the rear shocks with solid struts, and get myself a springer seat. This is a hell of a lot cheaper (because I'm wanting a new seat either way), but what issues would it cause? Could it do any damage to my engine or other parts of the bike, because there's nothing inbetween the crap roads in Devon, and the engine mounting points etc. How would it be to ride? Any of you guys hate or love it?
3) Mount the rear fender to the swing arm, and leave the standard suspension on there. This, I'm guessing, will be fairly expensive to do as Id have to get a fabricator to do it. I often have people on the back as well, and can't get my head around how I'd still have a pillion seat.
In the future I'm planning on chopping the rear fender, upgrading to the NRSH 1250 kit, and a few other bits - turning this into a little bobber project - I'd love to see your Irons!
I'm also wanting to chuck a wider tire on. What's the widest I can go on the standard wheels and swingarm etc?
Sorry for all the questions, and Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Devon, United Kingdom
Thanks for the reply grbrown. I'm swaying towards option 3, but would I still be able to have a pillion? If so, how?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I doubt if a pillion would want to ride with you on any of those options, especially #2! I can't see there being a solution for #3 that doesn't involve some serious fabrication.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Devon, United Kingdom
In my head there's a way for some kind of "floating" pillion pad that hangs over the back wheel. God knows how I'd get that to reality, and, like you said, without some serious fabrication
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Devon, United Kingdom
Thanks cvaria. I'll have a look into 11" shocks now. Besides the discomfort, would solids damage my bike at all?
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 238
Likes: 42
From: Montreal
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 2
From: Devon, United Kingdom
If I used lowering blocks, with my stock suspension, would there be any chance of scraping tire and fender, as there will be a lot of travel still? Sorry for all the questions, like I said it's a new bike, and my first bike, so I'm a proper newbie
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
