13" shocks on a Street Glide
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
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13" shocks on a Street Glide
I had an '02 Road King. I removed the 13" shocks and put them in the attic and installed a set of 12" road king custom shocks. Loved the look and ride.
I recently purchased an '11 Street Glide. The ride is terrible!! I have heard of people installing the 13" shocks to obtain a better ride. Fortunately, I have a set of these shocks :-).
My question is this, has anyone installed a rear lowering kit and then installed the 13" shocks to get the overall height back to Street Glide stock?
I guess what I am trying to achieve is the 13" of travel but still have the lowered look in the rear without spending $550 or so on some progressive 944's.
thanks in advance....
I recently purchased an '11 Street Glide. The ride is terrible!! I have heard of people installing the 13" shocks to obtain a better ride. Fortunately, I have a set of these shocks :-).
My question is this, has anyone installed a rear lowering kit and then installed the 13" shocks to get the overall height back to Street Glide stock?
I guess what I am trying to achieve is the 13" of travel but still have the lowered look in the rear without spending $550 or so on some progressive 944's.
thanks in advance....
I went from a '02 Road King to a '12 SG and found the same thing. That 'look' comes at a price, and in my opinon the SG is a 'touring' bike by name only, not function. My opinion, so get over it all you SG'ers. 
Anyway, I took the stock shocks off and installed a set of Progressive 944's (I think they're the 944's). Whatever their latest and greatest is . . . they claim 12" ride height with 13" travel. They were better, but the bike never rode as well as the RK. If you search and look you'll see plenty of threads on the subject. As much as I loved that SG (in my avitar), I finally traded it in for a '14 Ultra Limited. You can make it better, but not sure it will ever equal a bike designed for 13" to begin with.
Good luck . . .
Anyway, I took the stock shocks off and installed a set of Progressive 944's (I think they're the 944's). Whatever their latest and greatest is . . . they claim 12" ride height with 13" travel. They were better, but the bike never rode as well as the RK. If you search and look you'll see plenty of threads on the subject. As much as I loved that SG (in my avitar), I finally traded it in for a '14 Ultra Limited. You can make it better, but not sure it will ever equal a bike designed for 13" to begin with.Good luck . . .
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Just install the 13" shocks you have on their own. The bike may look a little higher while parked, but won't be much higher while riding. If you like the improved ride then you can investigate using a lowering kit, although I don't believe they are necessary myself.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,993
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From: Southeast GA
That's a project I've always wanted to do but never have (13" shocks with a 1" lowering kit). My '03 EG Classic had a ride as smooth as butter and the difference has to be the shocks. That's the only thing that's different.
If you do it, please let us know how it turns out.
If you do it, please let us know how it turns out.
Last edited by vickers1; Feb 5, 2014 at 02:53 PM.
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Tourer
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well, the lowering kits are cheap. $25-$35. I might have to give it a shot. I am not against spending the money later for some 944's, but have spent enough already getting the bike the way I want it. (Bagger apes, paint, forward controls, etc, etc....etc.).
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: USA
I just bought some 12.5" 412s and a 1" lowering kit from LA Choppers to bring back down only to find the kit doesn't fit my '09 but the '10-'14. The cheap kits are $25-$35 but the good ones like the LA Choppers are more. Hit me up if you interested.
We have many Customers that have put the 13" shocks on their SG's and then used our 1" Lowering Kit. No fitment issues, and the ride is MUCH improved, Plus the SG stance is preserved.
Check em out HERE.
Check em out HERE.
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From: San Diego
Be aware that the Street Glide uses a lower profile front tire also. That is the package that gives them that look.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 227
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From: scotland
Try LA lowering blocks.
Read the nonsense bout a SG not being a touring bike....all 2014 touring bikes have the same frame...so 13" rear shocks make them exactly the same as a Limited...forget the different wheel size.....the different wheel sizes and tire profiles mean that the overall height of the wheel plus the tire is the same...Grant you...deeper rubber means a softer ride...so would swop out the wheels for the Limited ones in chrome.
Read the nonsense bout a SG not being a touring bike....all 2014 touring bikes have the same frame...so 13" rear shocks make them exactly the same as a Limited...forget the different wheel size.....the different wheel sizes and tire profiles mean that the overall height of the wheel plus the tire is the same...Grant you...deeper rubber means a softer ride...so would swop out the wheels for the Limited ones in chrome.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
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From: So Cal
yes its just a bolt on and if you use and like the lowering blocks it will sit the same.
Be aware that the 02 13" shocks are the old design and the newer 09 and up stock shocks are supposed to be a little better dampening and different air pressures.
Give it a try only takes 10 minutes to change the shocks anyway.
Be aware that the 02 13" shocks are the old design and the newer 09 and up stock shocks are supposed to be a little better dampening and different air pressures.
Give it a try only takes 10 minutes to change the shocks anyway.