21" front wheel
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Had a Ness 21 on my old '99 RG. Did not change rear or lower anything but it did get Progessive rear air shocks and front springs along with Racetech gold valves. Also had PM 13" rotors and 6 piston calipers to stop pretty good. That bike rode great! I've got a 21x3.5" Ness G3 with Avon 120 and 17x6 Alcoa disc with Harley 17/200 getting ready to go on my '09 EG. Staying at stock height but Suspension is upgraded with Racetech springs & modded Ricor intimindators in the front and Progressive 940s in the rear. No passenger anymore.
Last edited by 0ldhippie; Oct 23, 2013 at 10:26 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, GA
Proaction14 how difficult was the progressive drop in kit to install? I am debating on doing this myself or having someone do it for me. I have a 2009 Road King.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, GA
1. What year is your bike? 2009 Road King
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? Back wheel kept same stock RIM but changed the tire to White Wall. I debated on this for a long time to use the same type RIM as the front. I also thought about extended saddlebags to cover up the rear rim. But the shop that installed the rim said that I would not notice much and even less with white walls he was right saved me some $$$.
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size)? 21 3.5 Fat Daddy 50 Spoke
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? I encountered the dive some talk about.
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? Yes, especially when you start to add more and more weight to the bike. I noticed a lot of wobble up front when coming to a stop.
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? I am going to lower the front end 2. I currently have the back lowered 1 and will add another 1 to match the front 2.
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? I am leaning towards the Progressive Drop In Kit 2
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? Would have installed lowering kit at the time of new Rim/Tire install.
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use? No.
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? Back wheel kept same stock RIM but changed the tire to White Wall. I debated on this for a long time to use the same type RIM as the front. I also thought about extended saddlebags to cover up the rear rim. But the shop that installed the rim said that I would not notice much and even less with white walls he was right saved me some $$$.
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size)? 21 3.5 Fat Daddy 50 Spoke
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? I encountered the dive some talk about.
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? Yes, especially when you start to add more and more weight to the bike. I noticed a lot of wobble up front when coming to a stop.
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? I am going to lower the front end 2. I currently have the back lowered 1 and will add another 1 to match the front 2.
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? I am leaning towards the Progressive Drop In Kit 2
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? Would have installed lowering kit at the time of new Rim/Tire install.
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use? No.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: Damascus MD
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 696
Likes: 13
From: Creston, Ohio
Looking to change out my stock front wheel with a 21" wheel and looking for comments on those who have done so on a Street Glide.
1. What year is your bike? 2013 Street Glide
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)? Didn't change rear
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)? Cyclone wheel from Coastal Moto 21X3.50
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? My bike felt a little squirrely for the first mile or so after that none
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? don't know I ride solo 100%
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? drilled out the rear mounting holes in front fender for added clearance
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? No
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? Drink a few beers when putting wheel on bike
9. Did you modify the fork rake? NO If so, by how much and what did you use?
-Thanks,
Night_Prowler
1. What year is your bike? 2013 Street Glide
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)? Didn't change rear
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)? Cyclone wheel from Coastal Moto 21X3.50
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? My bike felt a little squirrely for the first mile or so after that none
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? don't know I ride solo 100%
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? drilled out the rear mounting holes in front fender for added clearance
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? No
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? Drink a few beers when putting wheel on bike
9. Did you modify the fork rake? NO If so, by how much and what did you use?
-Thanks,
Night_Prowler
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 33
From: Illinois
Looking to change out my stock front wheel with a 21" wheel and looking for comments on those who have done so on a Street Glide.
1. What year is your bike? 2009 FLHR, also did it on my 2004 FLHR I had before it
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)? Kept the stock wheel, but went with matching tire (Metzeler
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)?PM Wrath (21x3.5)/Metzeler ME880 (21/70/120)
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? Nope
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? Nope
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? Nope
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? Used HD's 1" kit
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? Nothing
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use? Nope
1. What year is your bike? 2009 FLHR, also did it on my 2004 FLHR I had before it
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)? Kept the stock wheel, but went with matching tire (Metzeler
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)?PM Wrath (21x3.5)/Metzeler ME880 (21/70/120)
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? Nope
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? Nope
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? Nope
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? Used HD's 1" kit
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? Nothing
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use? Nope
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I have to disagree with 99.99% of the time you do not have to modify everything but to each their own. I always advise each customer to double check clearance between the stock front fender and tire to ensure it will not grow in height at speed and rub the fender. It will burn the paint off if it does rub. I have seen it and it is ugly.
Regardless, There are many different ways to do this. I avhe tried multiple ways on my own bikes and have opinions based on what I have done. I like stock height with a stiffer spring or a Ricor intiminator. Mono tubes seem to work well too.
I just got a new bike that is all stock still but on my last bike (05 RG) I had 21 front, 18 rear, stock height Michelin tires and loved it. This '13 stock rides much better than the 05. Time will tell what I do.
Regardless, There are many different ways to do this. I avhe tried multiple ways on my own bikes and have opinions based on what I have done. I like stock height with a stiffer spring or a Ricor intiminator. Mono tubes seem to work well too.
I just got a new bike that is all stock still but on my last bike (05 RG) I had 21 front, 18 rear, stock height Michelin tires and loved it. This '13 stock rides much better than the 05. Time will tell what I do.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 432
Likes: 63
From: Savage
1. What year is your bike? '13 SG
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)? Nope. I didn't feel the need and nobody has noticed.
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)? 21x3.5 PM Rival Contrast Cut. Dunlop Elite 3 120/70/21.
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? Feels a little heavier at low speeds (below 5 MPH)
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? Nope
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? Drilled the rear fender mount holes next size up and tilted fender.
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? Progressive Drop-In spings. I'm using 1/2 inch PVC spacers.
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? I'd buy the Dunlop 130/60/21 tire that's offered on the Breakout. I'm doing that next year then going with a 1 inch PVC spacer in the forks.
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use? Nope.
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)? Nope. I didn't feel the need and nobody has noticed.
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)? 21x3.5 PM Rival Contrast Cut. Dunlop Elite 3 120/70/21.
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling? Feels a little heavier at low speeds (below 5 MPH)
5. Was there any dipping of a feeling of lightness when you or a passenger were riding? Nope
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in question 3? Drilled the rear fender mount holes next size up and tilted fender.
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ? Progressive Drop-In spings. I'm using 1/2 inch PVC spacers.
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently? I'd buy the Dunlop 130/60/21 tire that's offered on the Breakout. I'm doing that next year then going with a 1 inch PVC spacer in the forks.
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use? Nope.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Powder Springs, GA
Real easy, basic mechanic knowledge/ability and youre good to go. You need to lift the front wheel off the ground just to get the weight off the springs, and access to the fork cap and pinch bolt and with a RK you have easy access. They give you PVC spacers which you can cut to adjust height. Even with no previous experience you can do this in a few hours at the max, if youve done it before you do it in 45 minutes to an hour.
Progressive Suspension - Drop In Fork Lowering Kit - YouTube
Progressive Suspension - Drop In Fork Lowering Kit - YouTube
Proaction14...thanks for the infor and video.
Did you have to take the forks or wheel off?
Just for **** and gigs I called progressive and asked them about the two kits they have. The original kit needs to have the dampers, fork oil changed, and springs installed. The Drop In kit all you need is to replace the springs and install pvc...but the rep did say to take the wheel off.
The guy I have do work for me said he would have to change for oil, take out damper, etc...he must have been referring to the original kit.
Thanks again for the help.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,371
Likes: 6
From: near Paris, France
1. What year is your bike?......2004
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)?.....18x4,25
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)?....... Revtech Eliminator 7 21x3,5 and 18x4,25 with Avon 120/150 tyres
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling?......No
5. Was there any dipping or a feeling of front end lightness when you or a passenger were riding?......absolutely not
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in questions 4 & 5?..... Nothing
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ?....Mine was lowered 1" front and rear when i bought it (MoCo)
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently?.....with more cash i will do a 23" maybe a 26" but i'm very happy with my 21" and when i did it it was a very big front wheel
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use?.... Nothing
2. Did you change out the back wheel or kept stock? If so, what size (ie 18x4, etc.)?.....18x4,25
3. What front wheel and tire did you get (ie, make/model/size 21x?)?....... Revtech Eliminator 7 21x3,5 and 18x4,25 with Avon 120/150 tyres
4. Did you encounter any change in steering and handling?......No
5. Was there any dipping or a feeling of front end lightness when you or a passenger were riding?......absolutely not
6. Did you make any changes to correct differences noted in questions 4 & 5?..... Nothing
7. Did you lower the front end, if so what did you change out and install (ie shorter springs, Progressive Suspension Front Fork Springs, etc.) ?....Mine was lowered 1" front and rear when i bought it (MoCo)
8. If you had to do it over again, what would you buy or do differently?.....with more cash i will do a 23" maybe a 26" but i'm very happy with my 21" and when i did it it was a very big front wheel
9. Did you modify the fork rake? If so, by how much and what did you use?.... Nothing
