Raising a Low Rider

[Pikeslayer]

Looking at raising a Low Rider a couple inches front and rear. Anybody ever do this? It's an '05.

[Pikeslayer]

Anybody ?!

[tjglide]

I'll take a crack.. The rear can be easily raised by changing out the shocks. I'm not sure on the length of stock low rider shocks but I'm sure standard FXD shocks are around 12.5 inches. As for the front, maybe installing standard dyna FXD springs would raise it a little? I think the Low Rider has more rake than a standard dyna also?

I recently raised my Dyna FXD by installed forks and shocks from a FXDX sport model. This raised the bike a considerable amount. It no longer drags the pegs when rounding a corner..

[Pikeslayer]

Originally Posted by tjglide

I'll take a crack.. The rear can be easily raised by changing out the shocks. I'm not sure on the length of stock low rider shocks but I'm sure standard FXD shocks are around 12.5 inches. As for the front, maybe installing standard dyna FXD springs would raise it a little? I think the Low Rider has more rake than a standard dyna also?

I recently raised my Dyna FXD by installed forks and shocks from a FXDX sport model. This raised the bike a considerable amount. It no longer drags the pegs when rounding a corner..

Yeah, I figured the back would be easy. Got any info. (length) on the FXDX forks? Do you know how much this raised your bike?

[tjglide]

Originally Posted by Pikeslayer

Yeah, I figured the back would be easy. Got any info. (length) on the FXDX forks? Do you know how much this raised your bike?

The fxdx forks measure about 33.5" from axle center to the top of the tube. The fxd forks are about 31.5". These measurements were taken with no weight on the forks. Looks like I gained about 2".

[20538]

a raised low rider, now there's an oxymoron, kind of like jumbo shrimp. sorry no help just a smart arse response.

[Pikeslayer]

Originally Posted by brownjams

a raised low rider, now there's an oxymoron, kind of like jumbo shrimp. sorry no help just a smart arse response.

I'm surprised it took this long. Yeah, I know, seems strange. When I bought my Low Rider it because it had the big motor, looked better than the Super Glide (chrome rockers, etc.), and was priced right. It being low slung had nothing to do with it.

A Buell front end sounds pretty promising. It would be nice to talk to someone who has done that. If I was changing out the forks, it would be nice to change the look as well. I think the Buell forks would be too short. I wonder how one would lengthen the Buell forks.

[84FXRP]

Originally Posted by Pikeslayer

Looking at raising a Low Rider a couple inches front and rear. Anybody ever do this? It's an '05.

When you raise your bike up , you will find it LEANS OVER quite a bit more on the jiffy stand. If the lean angle is too much, then use a jiffy stand from an FXDX as it is quite a bit longer and will make the bike sit up more when on the stand.

[Pikeslayer]

Originally Posted by 84FXRP

When you raise your bike up , you will find it LEANS OVER quite a bit more on the jiffy stand. If the lean angle is too much, then use a jiffy stand from an FXDX as it is quite a bit longer and will make the bike sit up more when on the stand.

Great tip! Thanks!

[Pikeslayer]

Originally Posted by Pikeslayer

A Buell front end sounds pretty promising. It would be nice to talk to someone who has done that. If I was changing out the forks, it would be nice to change the look as well. I think the Buell forks would be too short. I wonder how one would lengthen the Buell forks.

Anyone know more about this?

[INTHERED]

I raised my 08 low rider. I have 13 inch shocks on the rear and Progressive Suspension springs in the front forks. Just preload the front springs until you get the ride height you are looking for. If you need it any higher then that I would look for another bike. I also ditched the stock seat for one that is little higher and I have dragbars on 6 inch risers since Iam kinda tall and the bike has never handled better.

Inthered

[mailman]

04 fxdl stock rear shocks are 12" from bolt to bolt.

[Pikeslayer]

Originally Posted by INTHERED

I raised my 08 low rider. I have 13 inch shocks on the rear and Progressive Suspension springs in the front forks. Just preload the front springs until you get the ride height you are looking for. If you need it any higher then that I would look for another bike. I also ditched the stock seat for one that is little higher and I have dragbars on 6 inch risers since Iam kinda tall and the bike has never handled better.

Inthered

Hey Red, how much did those mods raise your bike?

Originally Posted by mailman

04 fxdl stock rear shocks are 12" from bolt to bolt.

Thanks Mailman.

Would really like to do a Buell front end.

[CAP]

If you have a parts manual you can get either longer stantions(chrome tubes), longer damper rods from a different model with 39mm forks, or machine a spacer to bolt between the damper rod and the oil lock in the fork. Do you know how much you want to add to your ride height? Lift the bike with a jack, with the wheels just touching the ground. Remove the 2 lower bolts that attach the shocks and loosen the torx bolts that hold the stantions in the triple trees. raise the bike slowly. The rear wheel will stay on the ground and carefully slide the forks down the triple trees until you find the height you like. Realize the bike will settle .75-1.25 inches under its own and rider weight..

Adding tons of preload is a bad thing as you do not want the bike going down the road with the suspension topped out. The wheels will lose traction when you hit bumps.

[Pikeslayer]

Would like to raise it a couple inches. Would like to do a Buell front end. Was hoping someone else had done this.