Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

RK shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 01:30 PM
  #1  
eglinski's Avatar
eglinski
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: CT.
Default RK shocks

I am looking to lower the rear Of my RK Custom 1-2 inches.... does anyone have any exprience doing this? would I be better off with shorter shcks, or a lowering "kit" also how long is the eye to eye length of a stock RK custom shock?


[IMG]local://upfiles/58429/4618C9C7A1534AB4B21D2A8E59F62AA3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/58429/3BD1B42F53A84D3F80CDA91D37261F0F.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 01:34 PM
  #2  
Live2Ride's Avatar
Live2Ride
Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
Default RE: RK shocks

I went with the HD shocks that lower the bike 1". I wasn't able to do the lowering kit that relocates the shocks because the bags have a groove cut out for the shock to fit in. I'm not sure if your bags are set up the same way or not. If you have the groove for your shocks to fit in, you won't be able to use the kit that moves the shocks. I was told that only the Road Kings with the hard bags could do it. I had the dealer install mine, so I can't help you with your other questions.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 01:52 PM
  #3  
eglinski's Avatar
eglinski
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: CT.
Default RE: RK shocks

Hmm, my bags are molded and leather covered, looks like there would be plenty of room..... but the back of bags are recessed,
I was wondering about these shocks, if they would work for me, they are 12 in. eye to eye hopefully at least as good quality as the stock {Showa} shocks http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB....cWAT.m240.lVI
guess I have short legs Lol I'm5-8 and both feet dont sit flat on ground.



[IMG]local://upfiles/58429/30E8E48D2DDD4D7CBDEE04640B73F40B.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 02:04 PM
  #4  
Live2Ride's Avatar
Live2Ride
Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
Default RE: RK shocks

I'm new to the RK and touring models in general for that matter, so I can't really help you out much. I'm still tryin' to learn these bikes. I'm only 5'6", so I know exactly what you mean about gettin' your feet on the ground. The shocks I had put on helped some, but I'd like to be able to touch better. I'm gonna wind up sendin' my seat off to have it cut down a little.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 02:22 PM
  #5  
doghog's Avatar
doghog
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 3
From: Niles, IL
Default RE: RK shocks

When I bought my '07 RK Classic I had the RK Custom shocks put on because they lowered the bike an inch or so - wasn't enough. Then I sent the seat out to have memory foam put in it and to lower it a bit. It was better but still not enough. Now this winter I had the front end lowered using the HD lowering kit. Now I'm just fine. I'm about 5'6 or 7. My problem now is when my wife gets on the bike it gets lower and I can't set the kickstand out so be careful on howlow you go.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 02:46 PM
  #6  
wildrider's Avatar
wildrider
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Dover, AR
Default RE: RK shocks

i have an 08 rk went with the lowering shocks and reach seat,
I'm 5'7" seemes to work for me, however i'm going to lower the front soon.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 03:04 PM
  #7  
MarkandMary's Avatar
MarkandMary
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: RK shocks

ORIGINAL: wildrider

i have an 08 rk went with the lowering shocks and reach seat,
I'm 5'7" seemes to work for me, however i'm going to lower the front soon.
Would it have been better to have moved the bars closer to you instead of moving you closer to the bars? Just asking, I may be going thorough the same thing shortly, I rented the RK and didn't seen to have a problem. I am 5'8"
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:36 PM
  #8  
skratch's Avatar
skratch
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Default RE: RK shocks

ORIGINAL: Live2Ride

I went with the HD shocks that lower the bike 1".
that would not work in this case. he already has the lower shocks. the shocks on the custom (and the street glide) are 12", standard shocks are 13".

i have 11.5 inch progressive 440s on mine and am happy with the ride. course la roads really suck so sometimes there is a little bone jarring. but for the most part, it is a better ride than stock, and my feet are more firmly planted on the ground.

i'm 5'4" on a tall day, would like the bike to be lower still, but this is a good compromise and i'm not wanting to degrade the ride significantly. i'm quite used to it, and have not had any problems.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:46 PM
  #9  
eglinski's Avatar
eglinski
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: CT.
Default RE: RK shocks

would lowering the air p.s.i. in the air shocks lower the seat height??
how pricey are those 11.5 progressive shocks? do they come in 11 in.?




[IMG]local://upfiles/58429/028BA66D0A0E427C8B146D46DF1DA20B.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:48 PM
  #10  
Jumpman's Avatar
Jumpman
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 138
From: StL, MO. USA
Default RE: RK shocks

I just put on the same shocks pictured above...

Picked then up this afternoon from E&M Cycle Parts in St Louis. $110 a set.

Took the bike out with my 2-up seat and the wifey on the back for abuot an hour & I'm pleased. I'm 5'9" (on a tall day) and I can sit flat-footed now.

Well worth the $$$'s in my opinion.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:36 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE