Lowering kits and ground clearance
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 6,915
From: Cincinnati OH.
Lowering kits and ground clearance
Question for those of you that have lowered your rear 1 inch.
Have you had any problems with dragging floorboards in turns, or scraping on speed bumps or any other ground clearance issues ?
Have you had any problems with dragging floorboards in turns, or scraping on speed bumps or any other ground clearance issues ?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
are you starting from a a 13" or 12" bike?
On my '95 FLHTC which came with 1" blocks from P/O, teh jiffy stand would hit on left hand turns- I removed them.
on my 09 FLHTC I was aware of the reduced clearance, some light contacts on turns floorboards ( which are made to swivel out of the way) and scrapes on speed bumps for sure.
I returned to stock height.
on a 2011 FLHTK lowered 1" front and rear I contacted the X cover on V&H power dual header hard enough to cause a slide
Mike
On my '95 FLHTC which came with 1" blocks from P/O, teh jiffy stand would hit on left hand turns- I removed them.
on my 09 FLHTC I was aware of the reduced clearance, some light contacts on turns floorboards ( which are made to swivel out of the way) and scrapes on speed bumps for sure.
I returned to stock height.
on a 2011 FLHTK lowered 1" front and rear I contacted the X cover on V&H power dual header hard enough to cause a slide
Mike
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
LOL, OK......
The stock air shocks are 12 3/4 inches. They always have been. The "lowered" air shocks are 12 inches. Your 2004 Ultra came from the factory with stock length air shocks, or the 12 3/4 inch'ers. If you install 1 inch blocks (as did I), you will be sitting at 11 3/4 inches from center of bolt to center of bolt, effectively. Yeah, you will be more prone to scraping in turns, and you definitely want to be careful going over the Walmart speed bumps. I can make it over "most" Walmart speedbumps, but sometimes I can feel the frame hitting. I just take it slow. As far as the floorboards, that's up to you. Under normal riding, I'm good to go. But if I try, I can scrape them.
The stock air shocks are 12 3/4 inches. They always have been. The "lowered" air shocks are 12 inches. Your 2004 Ultra came from the factory with stock length air shocks, or the 12 3/4 inch'ers. If you install 1 inch blocks (as did I), you will be sitting at 11 3/4 inches from center of bolt to center of bolt, effectively. Yeah, you will be more prone to scraping in turns, and you definitely want to be careful going over the Walmart speed bumps. I can make it over "most" Walmart speedbumps, but sometimes I can feel the frame hitting. I just take it slow. As far as the floorboards, that's up to you. Under normal riding, I'm good to go. But if I try, I can scrape them.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
Now that winter, sort of, has set in and riding is pretty much over for awhile, go here: http://bitchinbaggers.com/products/drop-shocks/
I highly recommend this process be used to lower the back end of your Touring Harley rather than the cheap brackets. Have had Bitchinbagger do 2 sets of shocks over the years and they come back better than before. Plus you can get them lowered to where YOU want them to be.
I highly recommend this process be used to lower the back end of your Touring Harley rather than the cheap brackets. Have had Bitchinbagger do 2 sets of shocks over the years and they come back better than before. Plus you can get them lowered to where YOU want them to be.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Cozz, there are generally two reasons for owners to want to lower their bike: either looks, or to reach the ground better. Does either of those match your wishes? We can help with other ways of achieving the latter.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,802
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From: Cincinnati OH.
Mostly for looks, although, when my feet are down it's a little uncomfortable on my thighs because my street glide seat is so wide. I would only use the LA Choppers 1" kit since it maintains the correct shock angle, and it looks very beefy. Just thought I would kill two birds.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1,957
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I lowered my King for reach. I originally went with HD Profile Lows front and rear, which dropped it about an inch. I now have Ohlins on the rear and are 12 1/8 eye-to-eye. I also have 21" wheels, so the front is dropped another inch to compensate for the wheel size. I've ridden the Dragon this summer and other areas near there and scrapped the boards only once.
On your seat, you can send to Mean City Cycles and get it narrowed a bit.
On your seat, you can send to Mean City Cycles and get it narrowed a bit.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 525
Likes: 94
From: Fresno, Calif.
08 ultra classic here I went from 13" to 12" it scrapes something on real hard turns but pretty rare. I go easy on speed bumps anyway. I am only 190 lbs. and like yours my tour pack is off. It just reminds me that It's a 800lb plus touring bike and maybe I should slow down a little. Maybe