Lowering Kit? Bad or Good?

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Dec 10, 2010 | 09:26 AM

#11

vtwinbob

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 552

Likes: 2

From: Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by legendzzz

Has any one used the LA choppers lowering kit? It looks like it spreads the shocks out a little when it lowers it about 1". On a Ultra with the air shocks is the ride worse? or does not change it at all ? Can you adjust the ride with the air shocks if it gets bad? Can you use the lowering kit and then put on lowering shocks ? Or would that make the bike to low and cause more issue's ?

ya might want to check out this site, it is mentioned a lot on this forum, maybe they will have your answer, i have a 10 ultra and i have on 09 S/G low profile shock on it, to help bring it down for my short legs along with the new low seat. which did do the job, but beings your saying you need 2 inch's I'd check out bitchin-baggers, good luck on which ever you choose.
http://bitchinbaggers.com/products/drop-shocks

Dec 10, 2010 | 09:55 AM

#12

mkguitar

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 14,744

Likes: 402

From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

Quote:

Originally Posted by onaride63

Check your front fender clearance, you might need to drop the fender also.

FYI lowering kit won't change this clearance as the "drop" occurs in reduced travel in the "upper" section of the forks- the fender mounts are a set distance from the axle.

I used the progressive kit on my FXR, 20 years ago. good kit, probably up the weight of the fork oil if you use this.

However, be aware that lowered bikes have reduced cornering clearance- I took my Pal's 1" F&R lowered Ultra Limited around the block and scraped up the "X" pipe on the right side pretty badly- ooops! He also has problems with speed bumps- the torco clamp on his crossover pipe was dragging speed bumps, I was able to grind off about 3/8" from the torco bolt.

When I bought my Evo bagger it had white brothers lowering blocks on it, scraped my jiffy stand lots on left turns, took the kit off (white bros now sold under the Burly name)

I now have an 09.
I looked at blocks and for a little more cost was able to buy take off 2010 street glide shocks, -.75" and supposedly revalved for the shorter travel.
They do work fairly well and I have the air pressure dialed in for a fairly smooth ride.

I did get a little jiffy crunch the other night, so may revisit that- I consider this a "testing period".

It only takes a few minutes to go back and forth from short to stock shocks.

The front end is more involved, and once the front is dropped the rear cannot be put back to stock height.

Mike

Last edited by mkguitar; Dec 10, 2010 at 11:36 AM.

Dec 10, 2010 | 11:24 AM

#13

legendzzz

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 928

Likes: 1

From: Long Island NY

i HAVE HEARD nothing really bad about the lowering kit for the rear of 1". Does anyone have heard anyone talk about it being a bad product ? 1" is not a big difference and if you leave it at that it should be fine? I think I will leave it at 1" drop with the kit and maybe drop the front with the 1" Progressive kit, that should do it?If I need to frop any more I will get a seat to drop it some more(again about 1 " on the seat)

Dec 10, 2010 | 11:50 AM

#14

gunner11

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 5,356

Likes: 8

From: Roswell, NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legendzzz

I'll admit to not knowing much about lowering kits, but a friend of mine and her boyfriend bought a 2011 CVO Ultra, and he was so short he had it slammed to the ground.Long story short, they broke up bout 4 months later and she kept the bike cause he had no credit and it was in her name. She wanted me to move it to her Dad's place, because he told her he couldn't fine the garage opener to her garage when she kicked him out (right). I rode it about 8 miles and it rode like crap and cornered even worse. I was all excited about riding the 110 c.u. CVO, but after that, my 08 Ultra was head and shoulders a better bike. he really ruined a beautiful bike. By the way, she traded it and bought herself a Trike, so he's just a cager now.

Aug 30, 2019 | 09:11 AM

#15

Matty08

3rd Gear

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

From: California

Bottoming out

I have a 03 ultra classic. I did the lowering brackets that move the bottom of the shock back. I went down two inches. Bottomed our constantly. Raised it back a inch and still bottoms out. Tire hitting the fender. I have about 15 lbs in the shocks. Is there a smaller tire with the same load rating or better shock or ? Is the answer. I love the look lowered a little. And the ride. But that bottomingnout just hurts not to mention gonna kill my tire. Thanks

Last edited by Matty08; Aug 30, 2019 at 09:17 AM. Reason: Posted in wrong place

Aug 30, 2019 | 11:40 PM

#16

BackRoader

Road Master

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,096

Likes: 107

From: Joplin, MO

I have the LA Choppers blocks. They are some of the better made ones on the market. No welded, pieced together stuff. Machined from a solid chunk of steel. They also drop your shock straight down instead of changing the angle and moving it back. Good product for sure. I do have fender scrape problems 2 up if I dont increase air pressure.

Aug 31, 2019 | 03:13 AM

#17

Matty08

3rd Gear

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

From: California

Quote:

Originally Posted by BackRoader

I’ve increased the pressure but doesn’t seem to change much. I will post a pic of the kit tomorrow.

Aug 31, 2019 | 10:58 AM

#18

LithiumZero

Cruiser

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 121

Likes: 34

From: Syracuse, NY

I had the dealership install a hogworkz lowering kit on my roadking when I bought it. I had them lower it 2”. I’m 5’6” and can flatfoot it. I’ve risen stock street glides and I can say that going down two inches affected the ride slightly but one ride on my sportster verifies that the RK is still pretty plush and handles beautifully.