Question about lowering your tourer.. : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

posttal · 06-21-2008, 10:52 AM

Hey guys I'm looking for opinions on lowering a 2000 UltraClassic.When I got the bike it had a lowering kit on it..shorter front springs and shorter shocks.The bike would bottom out pretty easy with 2 people on it coming up the drive or over the chuck holes in Cleveland..I'm 220 and the wife is about 130 so were not talking about sumo wrestlers.Anyway I put on progressive ft shocks and stock length rear shocks that I traded for here on the forum.The bottoming problem is gone..But..I miss the lower rear and more stable and balanced ride.So my question is..has anyone tried the lowering blocks that use the stock length shocks but change the angle.I'm thinking maybe the stock shocks being longer will have more travel and not bottom out while still being lower..any thoughts?
Thanks
Posttal AKA Ralph
http://www.lorileedesigns.com/files/...phsCorner.html

salsjag · 06-21-2008, 11:23 AM

I have an 08 Electra Glide Classic and here is what I did.
I spoke with a couple of HD techs and they didn't recomend the lowering kits at all. I put on the lowering shocks form HD and this made a noticeable difference. I am also having my stock seat redone by Mean City Cycles.

http://www.meancitycycles.com/motorcycle_seat_modifications.php[/url]

When completed the seat will be customized with a leather cover, flame stitching and lowerd about another 1 1/2 inches. I too love the lower feel and stability.

bountyhunter · 06-21-2008, 11:30 AM

With lowering blocks you risk fender/tire contact. In the pic below shocks are fully slammed to 9.75" with zero chance of fender contact. I can instantly add air to adjust ride/handling for any surface/load condition.
http://www.arnottairride.com/product....asp?makeId=16
A quality, easy to install system at a fair price...10% discount to forum members.

posttal · 06-21-2008, 12:00 PM

I had lowering shocks but traded them for stock shocks.everytime we hit a bump in the road the wife would make a comment on the ride and to over come it I wold have to over fill the shocks taking a risk of blowing one out.now with the stock shocks the ride is OK but with the little bit more height the handeling sucks.I didnt really notice it untill the other day when i took out my 1500 Vulcan which is much lower and it was almost fun to ride.I dont expect the Ultra to ride that well due to the weight difference but it was better low.I like that auto ride set up..almost like a goldwing.but with summmer yard improvments it kinda hard to justify the cost at thhis time.

Jeepin_Lawyer · 06-21-2008, 08:34 PM

I have a set of 12" shocks and a set of 13" shocks. The 13" are smoother and have a nicer ride. The 12" look good and make it easier to touch the ground but they are rougher.

sloxl · 06-22-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepin_Lawyer

I have a set of 12" shocks and a set of 13" shocks. The 13" are smoother and have a nicer ride. The 12" look good and make it easier to touch the ground but they are rougher.

That's why I went with 12 1/2" Progressives, it was a good compromise. The lowered aspect is slight, no doubt about it, but it's there.

egc hooked · 06-22-2008, 09:10 PM

I had the HD front end lowering kit installed along with the HD lowering shocks. Have had no bottoming problems on my 05 classic. Also the bike rides and handels better now then it did new.

berno56 · 06-22-2008, 09:36 PM

I have had my SG for 40K miles with the added lowerd front springs. I have always known that the footboards are your lean indicators. Mine are just worn to a nice knife edge. Don't worry about hitting the bottom every now and then. The bike is made to ride a lot lower in the corners than most are willing to lean. Lower it and enjoy it.

DoomBuggy · 06-23-2008, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berno56

I have had my SG for 40K miles with the added lowerd front springs. I have always known that the footboards are your lean indicators. Mine are just worn to a nice knife edge. Don't worry about hitting the bottom every now and then. The bike is made to ride a lot lower in the corners than most are willing to lean. Lower it and enjoy it.

I put the lowering shocks on the back of my Ultra and find the bike feels more stable to me. I did find the footboards in a corner the other day, but I have been learning this machine and figuring out how low I can go. With momma and me on the bike and about 35 psi in the shocks we have had no problems bottoming out, so far!

I thought about lowering the front, but with my boots on I now feel very secure when I stop so I think we will go with just the rears until this winter. Then I will have the seat reworked to9 fit my body a little better.

-Harry

relxn88 · 06-23-2008, 07:35 AM

I originially had the White Bros. lowering kit with the stock shocks on the rear. Over this past winter, I put the HD front end lowering kit in. It lowered the bike just enough so the rear fender hit the tire on certain bumps. I took the White Bros. kit off and put on the HD shortened shocks. No bottoming out now, but the ride is a little stiffer. My Ultra handled fine with just the rear lowered and it handles fine now, just stiffer.

jimheal · 07-10-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egc hooked

I had the HD front end lowering kit installed along with the HD lowering shocks. Have had no bottoming problems on my 05 classic. Also the bike rides and handels better now then it did new.

Are all of those parts from HD proper? What are the p/n if you can recall? Thanks!

bountyhunter · 07-10-2008, 08:41 PM

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_main.jsp

deanz02 · 07-10-2008, 11:03 PM

I put Arlen Ness adjustable lowering shock mounts on my '02 FLHTC and hated them. I bottomed out easy and the handiling of the bike was worse(more wobble). The "adjustability" feature is a joke and it's near impossable to adjust the drive belt as it's real close to the axle nut and the snail adjuster. I ended up putting on the HD lowering shocks. That was much better for handiling and it dosn't bottom out as much.

Having said all that, I'll say I'm not going to lower my new bike. I like the smooth, soft ride. I'm going to wear some boots with soles rather than tennishoes and then I will be able to flat foot it at a stop.

Wookalar · 07-12-2008, 09:38 AM

I replaced the stock shocks, after a short period with lowering brackets, with Progressive Shocks. I noticed an improvement and got the look I wanted.

rwoodford · 07-12-2008, 02:14 PM

I am using ARNOTT"S new air shock system and I really like it. It consists of Bilstein gas shocks with Goodyear air bags. They are available stock length or 1 inch shorter, use on the go, with pump for $698.00,