Adjusting the shocks
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
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Adjusting the shocks
Someone told me you can lower the sportster by adjusting the rear shocks to a different setting? Is that true, or do you need to purchase a lowering kit? Also, if you can, how will this affect the riding? Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
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RE: Adjusting the shocks
Adjusting the preload on your shocks won't change your ride height, only the relative stiffness. To lower your bike you'll either need shorter shocks, or a lowering kit (like a Burly bracket, which just offsets the lower shock mount so that it sits lower and more towards the rear). And if you lower the bike, always do the rear first and more so than the front (if you also use a fork spring lowering kit).
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
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RE: Adjusting the shocks
ORIGINAL: RamSportster
awesome, thanks for the quick replys! The burly brackets are a good product?
awesome, thanks for the quick replys! The burly brackets are a good product?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2005
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RE: Adjusting the shocks
I have a pair of lowering blocks for a 05 883 that I took off my bike last month. Not sure what they go for, but they are new.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Glens Falls, NY
RE: Adjusting the shocks
Not to hijack a thread - but this was a wandering question of mine and I'd hate to repost with a question so close
Ok from the dealer, the shocks are set all the way down - on my 05 this was a definate nut buster (excuse me - to borrow my 10yr old sons term - card shuffler) - haven't noticed it as much with the 06 but I do only have 260 miles before nappie nap time (never thought I'd use that term in referance to a HARLEY) - so I want the Low look - but I wouold like to have grandchildren - suggestions on bottoming out?
you can make the shock softer and they will sag more when you sit on it and it will most likely ride like ****
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Orange VA
RE: Adjusting the shocks
I asked the dealer about lowering my 1200C more in line with the 1200L. I only want to drop the rear an inch or so and leave the front stock.
I asked about shorter shocks or lowering brackets. The answer they gave was that the Customs are pretty much lowered as far as you can go without risking bottoming out and ripping wiring out from the fender (worst case) even if you used brackets or short shocks. Is this true?
Or can you safely lower a Custom by an inch or to without high risk of bottoming out and without sacrificing ride quality? Will preloading the shocks take care of this? I plan two-up riding. Concerns there with the extra weight?
I asked about shorter shocks or lowering brackets. The answer they gave was that the Customs are pretty much lowered as far as you can go without risking bottoming out and ripping wiring out from the fender (worst case) even if you used brackets or short shocks. Is this true?
Or can you safely lower a Custom by an inch or to without high risk of bottoming out and without sacrificing ride quality? Will preloading the shocks take care of this? I plan two-up riding. Concerns there with the extra weight?
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
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RE: Adjusting the shocks
HArley does not sell anything that they say will lower a 1200C. The 883 Low and 1200 Lows only bring those bikes to the height of a custom. My preload was adjusted to it's lowest setting when the bike was received, so, if that is typical, adjusting preload will not lower the shock (it's already at it's lowest). Increasing the preload does raise the seat height however.