Lower shocks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 178
From: east texas
yep , measure the shocks , buy shorter one's..bolt em on
loosen the fork tripple trees, drop forks.
how hard is that ?.
oh yeah BTW if you lower too much the front fender will hit the lower tripple clamp, and the rear will scrub the fender , taking out any wires that are in the way .
not too mention that lowering rear will give you more rake, lowering the front = less rake/less trail..
so measure , and u b fine..
loosen the fork tripple trees, drop forks.
how hard is that ?.
oh yeah BTW if you lower too much the front fender will hit the lower tripple clamp, and the rear will scrub the fender , taking out any wires that are in the way .
not too mention that lowering rear will give you more rake, lowering the front = less rake/less trail..
so measure , and u b fine..
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 8
From: Milwaukee, WI
As far as installing new shocks? With a lift it's a 20 minute job. Without a lift, the left side is more difficult. I'm not sure what the lowest length you can get. I know for my 09, the stock length is 11.5".
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
No, you don't have to. I didn't touch the front forks when I went down to the 10" short shocks. However, I did have to replace the kickstand with one from a Hugger, as my bike was standing too straight up when on the stand.....A good strong wind could have knocked it over. If you stick with something like 11" shocks, there's no need to change the jiffystand. Some people lower the front, (raise the tubes in the trees), to lower the entire height of the bike, (front & rear).
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
More Info on Not lowering the front....
I don't know her riding style or abilities so consider this.
1st thing:
If you lower only the back you are effectivly changing/Increasing
front end rake.
This will slow the steering down, It will take a bit more "Push" on the bars
to lean Into a turn. The faster she's going the more bar pressure.
This Is not going to be a problem for her as long as she Is VERY aware
of It and starts out easy and re learns steering the bike.
Warn her that It may not feel any difference at first. It can suprise her
at the worst of times like going into a moderate to fast turn a bit hot.
Second thing:
While In a corner there will be a bit less weight on the front end so going to
maintenance throttle and accelerating up and out of a corner
will need a bit smoother throttle hand.
She will also loose cornering clearance,,will have less lean angle.
this will be somewhat greater If you lower both ends,,,
Third thing:
It also will slow/lessen forward weight transfer during
braking so an emergency stop will be different,,
This can slightly lessen front brake effectivness but at the same time
Increase rear brake effectivness,,,even trade off here but again,,
she needs to know and adjust her braking accordingly.
4th thing:
Adding One extra pound of air to the rear tire Is a good Idea If you lower a Sportster 1".
If you Lower It 2",,1 1/2 Lbs at most. but do not drop a pound In the front.
This should help maintain the same size tire contact patch she had before.
I am not saying It's bad to NOT also lower the front,,
I just want her to be fully aware of the changes...
BTW the slower steering has a good side effect of a better straight line
tracking motorcycle..
She will feel more stable on the Superslab at big speeds....
Here Endeth The Lesson XD
1st thing:
If you lower only the back you are effectivly changing/Increasing
front end rake.
This will slow the steering down, It will take a bit more "Push" on the bars
to lean Into a turn. The faster she's going the more bar pressure.
This Is not going to be a problem for her as long as she Is VERY aware
of It and starts out easy and re learns steering the bike.
Warn her that It may not feel any difference at first. It can suprise her
at the worst of times like going into a moderate to fast turn a bit hot.
Second thing:
While In a corner there will be a bit less weight on the front end so going to
maintenance throttle and accelerating up and out of a corner
will need a bit smoother throttle hand.
She will also loose cornering clearance,,will have less lean angle.
this will be somewhat greater If you lower both ends,,,
Third thing:
It also will slow/lessen forward weight transfer during
braking so an emergency stop will be different,,
This can slightly lessen front brake effectivness but at the same time
Increase rear brake effectivness,,,even trade off here but again,,
she needs to know and adjust her braking accordingly.
4th thing:
Adding One extra pound of air to the rear tire Is a good Idea If you lower a Sportster 1".
If you Lower It 2",,1 1/2 Lbs at most. but do not drop a pound In the front.
This should help maintain the same size tire contact patch she had before.
I am not saying It's bad to NOT also lower the front,,
I just want her to be fully aware of the changes...
BTW the slower steering has a good side effect of a better straight line
tracking motorcycle..
She will feel more stable on the Superslab at big speeds....
Here Endeth The Lesson XD
Last edited by Osco; May 10, 2011 at 08:31 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 178
From: east texas
I don't know her riding style or abilities so consider this.
1st thing:
If you lower only the back you are effectivly changing/Increasing
front end rake.
This will slow the steering down, It will take a bit more "Push" on the bars
to lean Into a turn. The faster she's going the more bar pressure.
This Is not going to be a problem for her as long as she Is VERY aware
of It and starts out easy and re learns steering the bike.
Warn her that It may not feel any difference at first. It can suprise her
at the worst of times like going into a moderate to fast turn a bit hot.
Second thing:
While In a corner there will be a bit less weight on the front end so going to
maintenance throttle and accelerating up and out of a corner
will need a bit smoother throttle hand.
She will also loose cornering clearance,,will have less lean angle.
this will be somewhat greater If you lower both ends,,,
Third thing:
It also will slow/lessen forward weight transfer during
braking so an emergency stop will be different,,
This can slightly lessen front brake effectivness but at the same time
Increase rear brake effectivness,,,even trade off here but again,,
she needs to know and adjust her braking accordingly.
4th thing:
Adding One extra pound of air to the rear tire Is a good Idea If you lower a Sportster 1".
If you Lower It 2",,1 1/2 Lbs at most. but do not drop a pound In the front.
This should help maintain the same size tire contact patch she had before.
I am not saying It's bad to NOT also lower the front,,
I just want her to be fully aware of the changes...
BTW the slower steering has a good side effect of a better straight line
tracking motorcycle..
She will feel more stable on the Superslab at big speeds....
Here Endeth The Lesson XD
1st thing:
If you lower only the back you are effectivly changing/Increasing
front end rake.
This will slow the steering down, It will take a bit more "Push" on the bars
to lean Into a turn. The faster she's going the more bar pressure.
This Is not going to be a problem for her as long as she Is VERY aware
of It and starts out easy and re learns steering the bike.
Warn her that It may not feel any difference at first. It can suprise her
at the worst of times like going into a moderate to fast turn a bit hot.
Second thing:
While In a corner there will be a bit less weight on the front end so going to
maintenance throttle and accelerating up and out of a corner
will need a bit smoother throttle hand.
She will also loose cornering clearance,,will have less lean angle.
this will be somewhat greater If you lower both ends,,,
Third thing:
It also will slow/lessen forward weight transfer during
braking so an emergency stop will be different,,
This can slightly lessen front brake effectivness but at the same time
Increase rear brake effectivness,,,even trade off here but again,,
she needs to know and adjust her braking accordingly.
4th thing:
Adding One extra pound of air to the rear tire Is a good Idea If you lower a Sportster 1".
If you Lower It 2",,1 1/2 Lbs at most. but do not drop a pound In the front.
This should help maintain the same size tire contact patch she had before.
I am not saying It's bad to NOT also lower the front,,
I just want her to be fully aware of the changes...
BTW the slower steering has a good side effect of a better straight line
tracking motorcycle..
She will feel more stable on the Superslab at big speeds....
Here Endeth The Lesson XD
I told him , you told him how the watch was made ......Good Job
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