Lowering the rear.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 7
From: Las Vegas
RE: Lowering the rear.
"Keep the Load Forward — Place the load over, or in front of, the rear axle.... Mounting loads behind
the rear axle can affect how the motorcycle turns and brakes. It can also cause a wobble." Page 33 of the MSF handbook
I agree that keeping additional weight in front of the rear axle provides the best handling but this has nothing to do with lowering the rear end by 1 inch. Regardless if the rear end is at factory height or one inch lower the handling is going to be effected with excessive weight behind the rear axle. The question that folks have brought up is if lowering the rear end only causes a noticable change in handling and the concenses is no or not enough to cause concern.
the rear axle can affect how the motorcycle turns and brakes. It can also cause a wobble." Page 33 of the MSF handbook
I agree that keeping additional weight in front of the rear axle provides the best handling but this has nothing to do with lowering the rear end by 1 inch. Regardless if the rear end is at factory height or one inch lower the handling is going to be effected with excessive weight behind the rear axle. The question that folks have brought up is if lowering the rear end only causes a noticable change in handling and the concenses is no or not enough to cause concern.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Kendallville, Indiana
RE: Lowering the rear.
Really considering lowering the rear of my ride with the Solow kit. Just curious what they mean when they say " this product is simple and not a permanent modification."
Is it exactly that? Not meant to be permanent?
Is it exactly that? Not meant to be permanent?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Lowering the rear.
They mean that it is simply a piece of metal that moves the the bottom shock eye mounting location lower and slightly to the rear so as not to change shock angle. If you remove this pieces of metal you can then mount the shock back into the original location with no problems-just like stock again!! In other words, it doesn't permanently change anything and can be easily undone.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Kendallville, Indiana
RE: Lowering the rear.
ORIGINAL: Matt8643
They mean that it is simply a piece of metal that moves the the bottom shock eye mounting location lower and slightly to the rear so as not to change shock angle. If you remove this pieces of metal you can then mount the shock back into the original location with no problems-just like stock again!! In other words, it doesn't permanently change anything and can be easily undone.
They mean that it is simply a piece of metal that moves the the bottom shock eye mounting location lower and slightly to the rear so as not to change shock angle. If you remove this pieces of metal you can then mount the shock back into the original location with no problems-just like stock again!! In other words, it doesn't permanently change anything and can be easily undone.
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Lowering the rear.
I agree with the guys that suggest lowering the front and rear. You want the bike to sit even and ride even. Im 225 and the wife is 125. My bike is lowered in the back by about an 1 1/4 inches using the Burley lowering (shock relocator) kit. The front is lowered about the same using the Harley lowering springs. If your bags rub using the Burley kit, it wont be by much. Just use a heat gun or space the bag out a little. Ben
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/B2A920E1DC3A4BEE83C9838A1513569E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/A59BA1F1A1D747668F3709A84183355E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/8465AF57BF274645AD6D1C235CB61136.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/B2A920E1DC3A4BEE83C9838A1513569E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/A59BA1F1A1D747668F3709A84183355E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/8465AF57BF274645AD6D1C235CB61136.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
RE: Lowering the rear.
ORIGINAL: ZookHD
I agree with the guys that suggest lowering the front and rear. You want the bike to sit even and ride even. Im 225 and the wife is 125. My bike is lowered in the back by about an 1 1/4 inches using the Burley lowering (shock relocator) kit. The front is lowered about the same using the Harley lowering springs. If your bags rub using the Burley kit, it wont be by much. Just use a heat gun or space the bag out a little. Ben
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/B2A920E1DC3A4BEE83C9838A1513569E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/A59BA1F1A1D747668F3709A84183355E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/8465AF57BF274645AD6D1C235CB61136.jpg[/IMG]
I agree with the guys that suggest lowering the front and rear. You want the bike to sit even and ride even. Im 225 and the wife is 125. My bike is lowered in the back by about an 1 1/4 inches using the Burley lowering (shock relocator) kit. The front is lowered about the same using the Harley lowering springs. If your bags rub using the Burley kit, it wont be by much. Just use a heat gun or space the bag out a little. Ben
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/B2A920E1DC3A4BEE83C9838A1513569E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/A59BA1F1A1D747668F3709A84183355E.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/13976/8465AF57BF274645AD6D1C235CB61136.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
From: Bulldog Country
RE: Lowering the rear.
Call the folks at Works Performance Shocks. Tell your weight, passenger weight, % of time you ride 2 up, and how much you want to lower the seat to the ground. They will build shocks to fit your exact need. No guessing and you will love the ride.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Fort Stockton TX
RE: Lowering the rear.
Just my 2 cents worth. the center of gravity does not change by raising or lowering front or rear. It only changes with physical movement of weight forward or aft of the current COG. The rear end does not gain weight because it is lower, the laterial CG will remain the same. What will change is the CG will be closer to the ground, which will give much better handling at slow speed and in turns. If the COG changed with raising the nose or lowering the rear, then the CG of airplanes would change with takeoff and clilmb. They do not. Just my 2 cents worth.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Lowering the rear.
If you lower the back without lowering the front, you will probably run out of adjustment on your auxiliary lights, and they will only be good for pisin other drivers off, or coon hunting.