Lowering blocks
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
I had a set of L.A. Choppers 1" lowering-blocks on my 2004 Road King. I used these with 13" shocks to provide a lowered ride with the travel of a 13" shock. I chose this brand because the design was such it didn't change the shock angle. They were very well made, for around 90 bucks. I had them on about 10K miles before trading the bike, and there was never one issue with the blocks.
I had after market shocks (Ohlins/Howard), and had to monkey-around with spacers to get the shocks aligned vertically with the blocks; the lowering block kicked the shocks outward about 1/2" at the bottom, so had to kick the top out a similar amount. I also had to space my hard-bags out, in order to clear the shocks. It wasn't particularly difficult to install the lowering-blocks I used, but it did require some measuring/fitting to get everything so it cleared. I suspect there would be a similar clearance issue with many/most lowering-block kits.
On my current bike, I cut right to the chase and ordered 12" JRI A's from Howard at MotorCycleMetal.com. These provide 3" of travel (what I was getting from the Ohlins with the lowering-blocks) without the need to worry about lowering-blocks. Much 'cleaner' install, in my opinion, and nothing to worry about in the way of measurement/fitting/etc. (the shocks bolted right on in place of the stock air-shocks, no spacers required). Howard was having a special on these shocks during the holidays. If it's still on (check with him) they're a great deal. Given the choice, I'd go with shorter shocks versus lowering-blocks, provided the shorter shocks provide 3" of travel (or more). Nothing wrong with the lowering-blocks, as I said. Just that with shortened (12") shocks, there's less to think about during install, and less to worry about over the long haul.
Alan
I had after market shocks (Ohlins/Howard), and had to monkey-around with spacers to get the shocks aligned vertically with the blocks; the lowering block kicked the shocks outward about 1/2" at the bottom, so had to kick the top out a similar amount. I also had to space my hard-bags out, in order to clear the shocks. It wasn't particularly difficult to install the lowering-blocks I used, but it did require some measuring/fitting to get everything so it cleared. I suspect there would be a similar clearance issue with many/most lowering-block kits.
On my current bike, I cut right to the chase and ordered 12" JRI A's from Howard at MotorCycleMetal.com. These provide 3" of travel (what I was getting from the Ohlins with the lowering-blocks) without the need to worry about lowering-blocks. Much 'cleaner' install, in my opinion, and nothing to worry about in the way of measurement/fitting/etc. (the shocks bolted right on in place of the stock air-shocks, no spacers required). Howard was having a special on these shocks during the holidays. If it's still on (check with him) they're a great deal. Given the choice, I'd go with shorter shocks versus lowering-blocks, provided the shorter shocks provide 3" of travel (or more). Nothing wrong with the lowering-blocks, as I said. Just that with shortened (12") shocks, there's less to think about during install, and less to worry about over the long haul.
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Jan 11, 2014 at 04:06 AM.
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