Lowering Street Glide question?????
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
And there are local craftsman out there that can do this for you without spending a lot of money. Check with a local Indy / bike builder. They'll know who to call for simple work. ( The lady that works at the local NAPA here has a Dad that has been doing it for years...I found that out from the manager of our concrete plant. So ask around locally.)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
I lowered mine 1 1/2" in the rear and 1" in the front. I'm 5'6 also and it definitely helped, along with the Sundowner. I am flat footed sitting on it in the garage but after riding, not so much. Learned from another biker that the oil heats up in the shocks when riding causing them not to compress as easily.
Used Bitchin Baggers to lower my rear shocks. They do outstanding work with quick turn around. http://bitchinbaggers.com/products/drop-shocks/
Used Bitchin Baggers to lower my rear shocks. They do outstanding work with quick turn around. http://bitchinbaggers.com/products/drop-shocks/
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Allen & his crew @ MCC can take care of it...give them a call.
http://www.meancitycycles.com/index....=95&Itemid=276
http://www.meancitycycles.com/index....=95&Itemid=276
I have a Danny Grey Speed Cradle in the garage that my 5' 2" wife used on her street glide special. We lowered the front an inch, put blocks on the rear with '13 air shocks and the speed cradle, and she had one foot flat, and the other heel was within 1/4 inch of flatfooting. My next step was going to be having her boots resoled.
Just remember you do not want to go lower in the front than you do the rear. Streetglides are already lower in the rear from the factory, so you can do the front by itself.
We looked at the FBI kit, and it does drop your ***, but what they don't tell you is it also moves you away from the controls. So being short legged, will you be able to reach the brake and shifter, and comfortably reach the handlebars? The $2000 is the base price. Do you have ABS? Your ABS manifold will have to be replaced, not sure if that is in that cost. Painted side covers? Is that included?
The FBI kit is badass, but not sure it's a solution for short folks.
When I priced one out for the wife, it was a bit closer to 25.
All I'm saying is for around $900 I had my wife's 2014 SGS low enough for her 5' 2" frame to comfortably maneuver in and out of parking spots. Riding was never an issue. I think the biggest part of the solution was the Danny Grey saddle....
Just remember you do not want to go lower in the front than you do the rear. Streetglides are already lower in the rear from the factory, so you can do the front by itself.
We looked at the FBI kit, and it does drop your ***, but what they don't tell you is it also moves you away from the controls. So being short legged, will you be able to reach the brake and shifter, and comfortably reach the handlebars? The $2000 is the base price. Do you have ABS? Your ABS manifold will have to be replaced, not sure if that is in that cost. Painted side covers? Is that included?
The FBI kit is badass, but not sure it's a solution for short folks.
When I priced one out for the wife, it was a bit closer to 25.
All I'm saying is for around $900 I had my wife's 2014 SGS low enough for her 5' 2" frame to comfortably maneuver in and out of parking spots. Riding was never an issue. I think the biggest part of the solution was the Danny Grey saddle....
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Long Island,New York
I used the front HD lowering kit for my SG Special....and aslo added 3/4" to my boot sole....I am 5'6"...and it is perfect for me..
looks like Frankenstein in the pic...but when it is on..you can't tell
looks like Frankenstein in the pic...but when it is on..you can't tell
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 817
Likes: 26
From: PA
Before sinking a ton of money into this project I'd call Mean city cycles to see what they have to say about lowering and narrowing the seat as others have mentioned. Also, as mentioned earlier, add 3/16 insert to the heal of your boots, maybe more.
If these don't get you 100% to where you want to be then the chassis. etc. changes might not have have to be so big. I found on my last bike, 05 touring , that the HD lowered front end and lower rear shocks resulted in the floor board brackets contacting the road on twisties and lifted my rear tire off the ground pretty often. Had to "hang off" the bike on curves to have nice spirited rides through the Smokeys. Good physical work out in a day's riding.
Your results may vary, past performance cannot predict future results.
If these don't get you 100% to where you want to be then the chassis. etc. changes might not have have to be so big. I found on my last bike, 05 touring , that the HD lowered front end and lower rear shocks resulted in the floor board brackets contacting the road on twisties and lifted my rear tire off the ground pretty often. Had to "hang off" the bike on curves to have nice spirited rides through the Smokeys. Good physical work out in a day's riding.
Your results may vary, past performance cannot predict future results.