Installing a Lowering Kit on a Bagger
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,860
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From: King George, VA
Installing a Lowering Kit on a Bagger
I ordered a Lowering Kit from Bikersdelite last Friday and recieved it in the mail today, Monday. Unexpectedly fast.
I cleared the garage out and set things up to install the kit.
First thing was to get the before picture. That done, I put the bike up on the floor jack and removed the saddlebags.
Next step is to remove the airline from the top of the shock.
Starting on the left side, remove and replace one shock at a time.
Remove the shock, remembering not to tip it upside down so the oil doesn't get into the airline.
Reassemble the top bolt through the eyelet of the shock using the longer bolt provided in the kit and install the 1/4" spacer between the shock and the frame arm.
Install the lowering hardware on the swingarm with the round slug facing the wheel. It's obvious when your holding the part in your hand.
I really should have cleaned the bike up for this work, but beings as I'm pretty lazy about this time of year, ya'all are going to have to look at the dirt.
Continued in next post
I cleared the garage out and set things up to install the kit.
First thing was to get the before picture. That done, I put the bike up on the floor jack and removed the saddlebags.
Next step is to remove the airline from the top of the shock.
Starting on the left side, remove and replace one shock at a time.
Remove the shock, remembering not to tip it upside down so the oil doesn't get into the airline.
Reassemble the top bolt through the eyelet of the shock using the longer bolt provided in the kit and install the 1/4" spacer between the shock and the frame arm.
Install the lowering hardware on the swingarm with the round slug facing the wheel. It's obvious when your holding the part in your hand.
I really should have cleaned the bike up for this work, but beings as I'm pretty lazy about this time of year, ya'all are going to have to look at the dirt.
Continued in next post
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 32,730
From: King George, VA
RE: Installing a Lowering Kit on a Bagger
Attach the bottom of the shock to the desired position on the lowering hardware.
In this case, I connected it to the 2" lowering position.
Do not tighten all the bolts yet.
Place something under the rear tire to keep it from dropping down when you remove the shock from the other side of the bike, other wise, you will have to remove your muffler to install the bolt that holds the lowering hardware to the swing arm.
Repeat the installation steps for the right side of the bike, then tighten all bolts to 35ft.lbs.
Reinstall the airline and check the air pressure in the shocks. Put the saddlebags back on and do a test ride.
The top picture is stock, the bottom picture is lowered two inches.
I took it for a short ride and it certainly does feel lower and handles a bit better too.
I noticed that when putting the jiffy stand down, It doesn't just swing down as before. It will hit ground before it can lock into place, soa little attention will be required there.
I'm not sure that the bike can be lowered to the 3" position because of the notches on the back side of the saddle bags.They are indented just enough for the 2" position of the shock, but I think the shocks would hit the back edge of theindention in the saddle bag if the shocks were set back to the 3" lowering position.
In this case, I connected it to the 2" lowering position.
Do not tighten all the bolts yet.
Place something under the rear tire to keep it from dropping down when you remove the shock from the other side of the bike, other wise, you will have to remove your muffler to install the bolt that holds the lowering hardware to the swing arm.
Repeat the installation steps for the right side of the bike, then tighten all bolts to 35ft.lbs.
Reinstall the airline and check the air pressure in the shocks. Put the saddlebags back on and do a test ride.
The top picture is stock, the bottom picture is lowered two inches.
I took it for a short ride and it certainly does feel lower and handles a bit better too.
I noticed that when putting the jiffy stand down, It doesn't just swing down as before. It will hit ground before it can lock into place, soa little attention will be required there.
I'm not sure that the bike can be lowered to the 3" position because of the notches on the back side of the saddle bags.They are indented just enough for the 2" position of the shock, but I think the shocks would hit the back edge of theindention in the saddle bag if the shocks were set back to the 3" lowering position.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
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From:
RE: Installing a Lowering Kit on a Bagger
The airline can be removed much easier by pushing down on the little tab that the airline goes through and simply pulling it out. Just push it back in when ready, just be sure to let all the air out before disconnecting. Good write up, bike looks great lowered!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 302
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From:
RE: Installing a Lowering Kit on a Bagger
I have to ask. What keeps the lowering kit mounting bracketfrom pivoting on the mounting bolt?
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,860
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From: King George, VA
RE: Installing a Lowering Kit on a Bagger
I suppose the 35 ft/lbs of torque and the weight of the bike keeps them from rolling up. There is a **** sticking out on the wheel side of the hardware that keeps the hardware from rolling down around the end of the swingarm.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 304
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From: Tacoma, Washington
RE: Installing a Lowering Kit on a Bagger
Do you need to do anything to the front end or will it track ok with the back 2" lower than stock? Also does this kit affect the ride quality when 2 up? And finally do you have a link to the kit? Thanks in advance.