lowering my RK
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Coolerman69, where did you get the parts for your air ride. I have been looking at the systems for Harley but they are big $$$. It would really help me be more safe.
I would need the compressor, lines, guage and switch.
I would need the compressor, lines, guage and switch.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
Shocks came from advance auto parts $72, compressor off internet o92c is what i used $64, lines come with shocks, brass line fittings- ace hardware bout $35, solenoid valve $19.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Queensland, Australia
I went with 11.5" Progressive 412s on the rear which are 1.5" shorter than stock and Progressive 'drop in' fork springs which lowered the front by 1 inch. I'm 5'9" with a 32" in seam and I can stand up with my butt way clear of the seat.
I weigh in about 175 and set my 412s on the second pre-load setting for a comfortable ride and never even came close to bottoming outand I only very rarely scrape the footboards. Sure, more than before, but the handling has also improved with the new suspension.
Good luck.
I weigh in about 175 and set my 412s on the second pre-load setting for a comfortable ride and never even came close to bottoming outand I only very rarely scrape the footboards. Sure, more than before, but the handling has also improved with the new suspension.
Good luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
What year bike do you have. If you lower the back you really should lower the front. If you have a bike where the X-Pipe run underneath the bike be carefull how low you go with your ground clearance. Go too low and you'll run the risk of bashing the crossover pipe that runs under your tranny. Pre 2009 you wont have this problem so you can go as low as you want but you should find out what the maximum travel is for the swingarm before it bottoms out or binds up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-xFf...&feature=feedu25sec from bottom to top and back to the bottom
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burbs
I went with an LA Choppers 1 inch lowering kit rear (installed myself and I'm no where near a do-it-yerselfer LOL!!) I'm bout 5'8 or 9 ish and bout 215 ish. I'll say so far so good. And the kit was only $100. Just my 2 cents. I haven't dropped the front though (even though I'm leaning more towards doing that as well).
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 513
Likes: 17
From: Parrish, Fl
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 4
From: nebraska
i have a 2008 flhrc i have 28" inseam , first thing sent my stock seat to MeanCITY had the nose narrowed and seat lowered ,memory foam added for comfort , when they were done it was an inch or two narrowar and about 2" lower. was a thrifty mod cost me about $150 including shipping both ways .. much cheaper than any new LOW seat, it is super comfortable. i also instaled a kickstand extension . these realy work good if your legs are short.
Next on my list is lowering the suspension. i looked into lowere blocks ect but most if not all of theses kits wil not work with the classics leather wrapped bags. so i looked into the low touring shocks or streetglide shocks . close to $300 ok i am CHEAP ! eeerrr i mean THRIFTY ! a place called Bitchn baggers will cut your stock 13" air shocks down an inch or two depending on what you want for $169 . i ended up buying some take off 12" streetglide shocks on ebay for $44.50+ $15 s&h THRIFTY !
I read on here you can improve the quality of the airshock ride buy changing the oil in them to a diffrent weight. so this winter before i replace my 13" shocks with the 12" shocks i will change out the suspencion oil for 7w on the 12" shocks befor i install them.
i am currious how difficult it is to do the progressive drop in lowering springs in the front forks of a RoadKing would love to see a step buy step rightup on that with photos.
Next on my list is lowering the suspension. i looked into lowere blocks ect but most if not all of theses kits wil not work with the classics leather wrapped bags. so i looked into the low touring shocks or streetglide shocks . close to $300 ok i am CHEAP ! eeerrr i mean THRIFTY ! a place called Bitchn baggers will cut your stock 13" air shocks down an inch or two depending on what you want for $169 . i ended up buying some take off 12" streetglide shocks on ebay for $44.50+ $15 s&h THRIFTY !
I read on here you can improve the quality of the airshock ride buy changing the oil in them to a diffrent weight. so this winter before i replace my 13" shocks with the 12" shocks i will change out the suspencion oil for 7w on the 12" shocks befor i install them.
i am currious how difficult it is to do the progressive drop in lowering springs in the front forks of a RoadKing would love to see a step buy step rightup on that with photos.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: SoCal OC
I had a bit of an issue with a good foot plant on my 04 FLHR which I believe is a inch higher than some of the other RKs. I had the Progressive 940 series rear shocks installed they dropped the rear a inch or perhaps a tiny bit more. The good thing about these shocks are they still give you the full 13" stock suspension droop while bringing you down 1". Adjustable preload for heavier loads when needed and gas charged with a progressive spring rate made for tour bike weights. I am extremely happy with them. Their main drawback is the cost.......these things are expensive!
I also had the Progressive lowered springs installed at the same time. They seem to out perform the stockers they replaced. I wanted to get their drop in mono tube kits in the front but didn't want to blow anymore bucks than I already was.
They do make some bolt on stuff that re-positions the rear shock mount and lowers the ride height but I read some pretty bad things about doing it this inexpensive way.
My standard RK sat really high to start with. Add in a super a wide seat and some 29-30" inseam and you can be in some situations where it is very hard to get enough foot traction to push the bike up even a slight grade. And that just plain sucked.
You have to lean pretty aggressive to make the bike scrape so for me the the 1" didn't turn the bike into a bulldozer. Not even 2 up.
For me it was money well spent. The lower look of the bike is a plus also.
I also had the Progressive lowered springs installed at the same time. They seem to out perform the stockers they replaced. I wanted to get their drop in mono tube kits in the front but didn't want to blow anymore bucks than I already was.
They do make some bolt on stuff that re-positions the rear shock mount and lowers the ride height but I read some pretty bad things about doing it this inexpensive way.
My standard RK sat really high to start with. Add in a super a wide seat and some 29-30" inseam and you can be in some situations where it is very hard to get enough foot traction to push the bike up even a slight grade. And that just plain sucked.
You have to lean pretty aggressive to make the bike scrape so for me the the 1" didn't turn the bike into a bulldozer. Not even 2 up.
For me it was money well spent. The lower look of the bike is a plus also.