Lowering an Ultra
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Los Angeles, ca.
Lowering an Ultra
I just installed a Lowering kit I purchased from Road 6 Customs. The total install took about 30 minutes, including putting the 3 tools away. (If the instructions were a little better written, it would take less than 15 minutes, but once you grab the concept it is very simple. (Please note, this is not a complaint, just a comment) (I almost took the time to rewrite and re-draw the instructions for them, but wanted to finish the install and ride)
The parts are very well thought out with a nice powder-coated bracket and grade 5 hardware in the kit. I installed them in the middle lowering hole, and it lowered the bike about 1 1/2" or so, which was perfect for me.
No problems riding solo on a 2004 Ultra, but when my wife got on (she's only 115 lbs) we bottomed out on the larger bumps.... Air pressure is set to 30psi.
If we took a longer trip, I would place them in the first position (1" lowering hole) and most likely not bottom....
All in all, great design, great product and priced affordably. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to gain another inch or two in seat height...
cheers,
mike
The parts are very well thought out with a nice powder-coated bracket and grade 5 hardware in the kit. I installed them in the middle lowering hole, and it lowered the bike about 1 1/2" or so, which was perfect for me.
No problems riding solo on a 2004 Ultra, but when my wife got on (she's only 115 lbs) we bottomed out on the larger bumps.... Air pressure is set to 30psi.
If we took a longer trip, I would place them in the first position (1" lowering hole) and most likely not bottom....
All in all, great design, great product and priced affordably. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to gain another inch or two in seat height...
cheers,
mike
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
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From: NYC
DANGER WILL ROBINSON
been there and done it. Had the same problem with bottoming out. Turns out that you are not bottoming out the tire to the fender. you are bottoming out the the tire to a cross clamp that holds the rear lighting wire harness in place. The harness is your running and brake lights. What you have to watch out for, aside from the wear on the tires....is the wear on the wire harness...eventually, the insulation on the wires will wear off from rubbing on the tires and you will blow all the rear lighting and brake fuses. You think riding a bike in NYC is scary, try riding one at night with no rear lighting or brake lights. so after this adventure, I rebuilt the wire harness but this time, instead of running the wires under the fender as Harley did, I ran the wires thru a new wiring tube and ran the tube on the top of the fender. The lighting wires comes down from the top, instead of up and from under the fender. I removed the cross clamp , which showed big time wear . I put the lowering kit in the second hole, and run air about halfway. Haven't had a rub since, even with fully loaded bags , a 165lb pax, and me 270lbs. I want to put a low profile tire at the rear, even if it's a car tire, and then I'll drop it to the 3rd hole. But, put it back on the 1st hole until you relocate the wiring assemble and pull that clamp out. You do not want to loose your rear lighting and get rear ended by some one who did not see you.
been there and done it. Had the same problem with bottoming out. Turns out that you are not bottoming out the tire to the fender. you are bottoming out the the tire to a cross clamp that holds the rear lighting wire harness in place. The harness is your running and brake lights. What you have to watch out for, aside from the wear on the tires....is the wear on the wire harness...eventually, the insulation on the wires will wear off from rubbing on the tires and you will blow all the rear lighting and brake fuses. You think riding a bike in NYC is scary, try riding one at night with no rear lighting or brake lights. so after this adventure, I rebuilt the wire harness but this time, instead of running the wires under the fender as Harley did, I ran the wires thru a new wiring tube and ran the tube on the top of the fender. The lighting wires comes down from the top, instead of up and from under the fender. I removed the cross clamp , which showed big time wear . I put the lowering kit in the second hole, and run air about halfway. Haven't had a rub since, even with fully loaded bags , a 165lb pax, and me 270lbs. I want to put a low profile tire at the rear, even if it's a car tire, and then I'll drop it to the 3rd hole. But, put it back on the 1st hole until you relocate the wiring assemble and pull that clamp out. You do not want to loose your rear lighting and get rear ended by some one who did not see you.
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Los Angeles, ca.
WOW! Thanks....
I thought i would be helping others by posting. Looks like I ended up saving myself some grief, and possible injury... This is a great forum... much to learn here. Thanks for taking the time to write the detailed explanation.
Going to change it to the first hole first thing tomorrow...
cheers,
mike
I thought i would be helping others by posting. Looks like I ended up saving myself some grief, and possible injury... This is a great forum... much to learn here. Thanks for taking the time to write the detailed explanation.
Going to change it to the first hole first thing tomorrow...
cheers,
mike
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