1200 custom sportster

6831 Views 13 Replies 10 Participants Last post by hmiwb, Mar 28, 2006

BikerPapa

Discussion Starter · Jan 17, 2006

Was wondering has anyone lowered there sporty, how did you do it and were you happy. Did it handle better. What about was the cost. And yes I am still trying to get the sissy bar mounted on my bike read previous email...
thanks for all the help

Lone Wolf......aka BikerPapa

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Jeffytune

· #2 · Jan 17, 2006

BikerPapa said:
Was wondering has anyone lowered there sporty, how did you do it and were you happy. Did it handle better. What about was the cost. And yes I am still trying to get the sissy bar mounted on my bike read previous email...
thanks for all the help

Lone Wolf......aka BikerPapa

Hi Lona Wolf.

The Sportster is a good handling bike, but there is room for improvemnt, But lowering is not the way to get any bike to handle.
When you lower a bike, you decrease the lean angle, the lesser the angle, the harder it will be to turn.
Also the shroter the shock are, the less travel they will have and the rougher the ride you will get.

The set-up I use one mine is a set of Progressive 418's 13 1/2' long and a progressive front spring kit.
This really smooth out the ride and improved the handling, but it Raised the saddle about an Inch.
I hope this helps.

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phreak_of_natur

· #3 · Jan 17, 2006

I lowered mine on the cheap. Only dropped the back end though. I got a set of lowering blocks from a company called vortex waco. It allows you to reposition the rear shock to one of two positions. The first drops it 1.5 inches. The second 2.5 inches.

From experience, I would not drop it 2.5 unless you also increase the shock tension. I started bottoming out the fender on the belt guard at that height.

Like I said though, this was the cheap method. If you want, you can try the lowering blocks, at 50 bucks, to see if the ride is what you are looking for, then go with the progressives.

I didn't drop the front, So I have no advice on that part.

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wayne1967

· #4 · Jan 22, 2006

I welded on blocks with further back shock holes. If you go more than 2" your gonna bottom out though. Looks good but does not handle as good in the corners.

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KY23

· #5 · Feb 5, 2006

I lowered my back end with 11" progressive shocks from Trak-tek.com. $189 for the rear shocks. They also come with Heavy duty springs if you are heavy or if you do alot of 2up riding. I weight 180 lbs and they ride great.

I just ordered the front end Progressive springs to lower the front end too.

If I try to take a corner too fast I've rubbed my jiffy stand but thats it. Other than that the bike handles better than it did with stock springs.

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Panzer

· #6 · Feb 6, 2006 (Edited)

I too also agree

lowered there sporty

Go with the Progressive 11" Shocks series 412. I went with the Standard duty not heavy duties as for one I am not above 180lbs and I wanted the Full Chrome Covers.
You can also get the Full Chrome Covers that add a little eye appeal but, they are like $120.
As far as anytime you lower one end you will want to the other end the same amount as to not affect steering geometry.
You can actually slide the forks up a tad which is the cheapest method (verify you still have suffecient fork travel) or simply order the Progessive Fork lowering kit. It comes with two different spacers so you can lower the front 1" or 2". Or get creative and make your own spacers.

I did this on my 1st Sporty and I am doing it again on this sporty.
It made it look a lot better imho and the handling characteristics where not adversely affected in any way.
Here is a 883 that is lowered. The front has obviosuly been lowered via spriongs and spacers as the tubes are still flush with the Top Tree.
The rear on the other hand has been lowered via lowering spacers that move the shock backwards in affect lowering the bike. This is not the way I would do it but, it sure is a cheaper method.
Thought I would throw up this picture to show you a lowered one.

To me it just looks awesome when lowered.

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KY23

· #7 · Feb 12, 2006

Here is a picture of my bike with 11" progressives. This is without lowering the front forks at all. My Progressive front fork lowering kit is on its way.

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Panzer

· #8 · Feb 15, 2006 (Edited)

?

Did you go with the 11" HD or Standards.
Also what spring do you plan on using in your front kit?
The one that will drop it about 1-1/4" or the 2"?
Going with the 11" rears and 2" kit in the front is about as far as you can go without then needing to modify your side stand because even then the Hugger/Custom stand just barely gives it a lean.
I cant wait to get mine totally done I am also waiting on my progressive front kit which will arrive this Friday.
I already added the Bassani Pro Streets pipes Woaaaaaa awesome sound none better imho.
I am contemplating switching out my slotted Fat Boy style rear to go with a Spoked 16" to compliment the 21 front spoked. Cant decide yet.
I was in the HD shop today and now the 1200 Customs (atleast the one I saw) are coming with laced front and rears. Granted they are the profile (smooth rounded rim) laced but laced non the less and then I saw the Fatbob Dyna and it was all done in laced wheels.
The set on Dyna was the typical ridged style.
I am almost swaying towards doing the 16" laced in the rear now.

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Panzer

· #9 · Feb 17, 2006

Hey KY23

I sent you a PM about your front kit shoot me an e-mail.
:thumbsup:

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KY23

· #10 · Feb 25, 2006

Panzer, Just replied to your PM. I'm installing my Fork lowering kit tomorrow. Did you remove your forks or did you do it with the forks still installed?

I'm going to lower mine the full 2"...

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cherokeerebel

· #11 · Feb 28, 2006

I lowered my 1200 custom with progressives 11". I then added a wideglide conversion that raised the front. Really made the bike look good. The turning was different but not too bad. I'll try and post a pic.

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Meat

· #12 · Feb 28, 2006 (Edited)

short and fat just like me

this is my baby i dropped the front end 5/8" which leveled it out when I am on it. front to back is level looks great. the 16" wheel in the front makes it handel like a corvette i have to watch tight turns but no biggie

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TomB

· #13 · Mar 1, 2006

We put H-D's front end lowering kit (same internals as the Sportster Low) on the front and the Waco lower blocks on the back of the lovely bride's (...) 2004 1200C. It looks slammed now, and she (5'2" on a good day) can easily flat-foot it. Probably get better handling with lower Progressive shocks, but the bride isn't an aggressive rider and hasn't complained, so ...

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hmiwb

· #14 · Mar 28, 2006

BikerPapa said:
Was wondering has anyone lowered there sporty, how did you do it and were you happy. Did it handle better. What about was the cost. And yes I am still trying to get the sissy bar mounted on my bike read previous email...
thanks for all the help

Lone Wolf......aka BikerPapa

I have an 06 1200C and I didn't like the stock lowered suspension. It kept bottoming out on me which didn't agree with my admittedly aging back. I guess I'm not hardtail material. I changed to the 1200R shocks and like the results much better. I have the looks of the Custom with much better ride and handling. The side stand is a little too short now, but a longer 1200R sidestand is on the way.

Bill
Missouri

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