Lowering a 2003 Hugger
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
Lowering a 2003 Hugger
Bought a Hugger for the wife a while back and now she wants to change a few things up. One of the things she needs is to lower the bike as she is only about 5'3". I took the rear shocks off and they measure 12 3/4" from center of hole to center of hole. Everything I read says they should be 11.5".
My question, I want to install Progressive lowering springs in the front to lower it 1 inch. Then do 11" Progressive 412's in the back. Does this sound right? I could go up to 2" in the front but not sure if the bike would be level at that point. Looking for suggestions/guidance.
This is my first Sporty that I am redoing, I primarily build Softails.
Sarge
My question, I want to install Progressive lowering springs in the front to lower it 1 inch. Then do 11" Progressive 412's in the back. Does this sound right? I could go up to 2" in the front but not sure if the bike would be level at that point. Looking for suggestions/guidance.
This is my first Sporty that I am redoing, I primarily build Softails.
Sarge
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,837
Likes: 1,430
From: NJ
You basically want a Nightster set up which comes 11" rear from factory.
Progressive is very helpful with helping you decide which fronts to match what you want to do in the rear. They helped me set up my Nightster so it was balanced.
Progressive is very helpful with helping you decide which fronts to match what you want to do in the rear. They helped me set up my Nightster so it was balanced.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 691
From: Columbus Ohio
I'm short and did that to my sporties - 11" progressive in the back, lower the front 1 inch. Boots have 2" heels. Lowering with the progressives will make a huge difference. I also have taken my seats to the local upholsterer and had foam taken out and had them lowered. Once you've done this, she should have no problem riding her sportster.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Start with boots! Sturdy thick or high heeled boots will support her ankles better and give her greater confidence when her feet are down. It sounds as if the shocks are non-standard (the Hugger was the factory low-riding model), probably off a different Sporty model. By all means change them, then let her try her bike - don't change too much in one go.
Last edited by grbrown; Feb 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 3,837
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From: NJ
Start with boots! Sturdy thick or high heeled boots will support her ankles better and give her greater confidence when her feet are down. It sounds as if the shocks are non-standard (the Hugger was the factory low-riding model), probably off a different Sporty model. By all means change them, then let her try her bike - don't change too much in one go.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
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From: Michigan
Thanks for the advise. The front had to be taken apart due to leaking seals. It had 18,000 miles on it, so I decided to powder coat and upgrade it while it was apart. Just figured I would lower it while it was apart to make it easier on her. She always wears boots when she rides but she is still vertically challenged....LOL
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Nor Cal
I have some rear nightster shocks (11 to 11-1/8") in great shape if you or anyone is interested.
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Last edited by multihdrdr; Feb 3, 2017 at 10:15 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 304
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From: Black Hills SD
Does she "want" it lower, or need it lower? A hugger drags the ground easily already, lowering them more gives you little in the way of plan B when you need to change direction in a panic situation. Everyone thinks a motorcycle doesn't fit them unless they can stand flat-footed with their butt in the seat. You should actually be on the ***** of your feet, most of your weight off the seat, if they reach comfortably, you can handle the bike just fine, Just try to sit flat-footed and try to change the bikes attitude, side to side, then do the same on the ***** of your feet, you have much better leverage with the *****. When sitting at a stop light, for instance, you should not be sitting flat-footed, you should be ready to react to, say, screeching tires behind you. If you are flat-footed, it takes a lot longer to change the direction the front wheel is pointed, than it does if you just spring off the ***** of the feet. That brings me to another point. Always be sure and not pull right onto the bumper of the car in front, instead, leave yourself the opportunity to split the lane and let the cars collide with each other.