HD front lowering kit
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Stage I
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
HD front lowering kit
Yesterday I completed installing Harley's "Profile Low Touring Front Lowering Kit" on my 09 Ultra. I also installed the "Profile Low Touring Shocks" as recommended by Harley. The kit did what was advertised and lowered the bike 1-2 inches. Much easy for my short legs to reach the ground. Concern I have is that the rebound on the front suspension seems harsh. Feels/sounds like it is bottoming out the rebound spring on even medium size bumps. I followed step by step instructions and came with the kit, cross referenced my service manual, can't come up with anything that I could have put together incorrectly. Stopped at local Harley shop asked service manager if they ever had similar comments, didn't sound like it. Anyone have similar experience or idea what might be wrong?
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Brentwood TN
I have the same issues with the HD lowering kit. Very harsh. I am going to take it down this winter and put the stock spring in with the kit and drill out the dampener tubes. I also have the Ricor IAS system in and all that together makes it pretty stiff.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Harsh
I have the exact same concern with my07 Roadglide-I also used Harleys kit>When the forks extend entering a big dip in the road it hits hard.Entering a driveway gives the same result.I have even tried changing t the screaming eagle fork oil with no sucess.So far I haven't found a fix.I never give up so maybe there is a way to correct this concern.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 5
my friend did the same but he dropped his RK 2 inches. he raised it back up and used heavy screamin eagle fork oil befor he used the heavey duty fork oil. he raised it back up an inch to harsh of a ride but is happy with the lighter fork oil.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
My wife's 08 UC is lowered both ends though I used lowering blocks in rear instead of short shocks' which were harsh, in this setup it works great.But I took off the tour pack and she is only 130lbs which makes it handle lot better and doesn't bottom out.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
I just did mine over the weekend. HD's springs, chrome lowers, and SE fork oil. I rode it for the first time today and yeah, I felt it bottom out. I hit the driveway a little faster just to check it and it did bottom. It seemed a little rougher on the freeway this morning too. I haven't even put on the lowered rear shocks yet 
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 269
Likes: 101
From: Southern Ont, Canada
Would like hear more about this, and if Progressive might be better, I was planing to do the same to mine , I've lowered the Back with HD 12 shocks and was planing to use HD front lowering kit , But you have given me second thoughts now..
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Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From:
I did the Progressive drop in kit on my 02 RK and its bouncy at low speeds on small bumps and harsh on the big ones, sounds like its banging , I dont believe you are bottoming Race Face of you would wack your crash bar with your fender. I can not compress my forks holding down the front brake. I also put a 21 wheel on so its half the sidewall than I had but the harshness of the ride SUCKS, even my passenger asked me what I did different and she just gets on and never asks me a thing, LOL
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,542
Likes: 6,417
From: Honah Lee
My bike had the SE shocks (longer on a Softail lowers it) and shorter progressive wound springs in the front. Original owner was short. I'm 6'3" at 200lb and both front and back bottomed on uneven interstate bridges and stuff around here. I put the original back on. The inch you lower is amount of travel you loose before it hits the bump stops either in your springs or on my bike in the rear a rubber bumper. The progressive wound front spring has the same amount of coils, just the lower 1/3 are closer, hence 1" lower. Its a cost in ridding comfort since it runs out of travel. That's why it comes the way it comes without this. I'm an old man but still like the hot rod down in the back look and put just the SE back on the rear. Thought loosen them up would help, so I adjusted the shock to as soft as it would go. Big mistake. Now it really bottoms and hits the stop. (at first I had thought the shock was too hard by mistake and not realizing it was hitting a stop) Pain to get back under there and break it loose and tighten it the other way since I put loctite on it. My opinion is if you want more then a bar bike (or in my case a bar bike look) leave the suspension alone. Loosing one inch does not sound like a lot but it is, just ask her.?HA
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jul 5, 2011 at 08:54 AM.