lowering kits advice needed please

hi,does anybody have any know how regarding the fitting of lowering kits on softails[2000],the custom chrome book sugests 'easy' and one hour,is this right,do you need to take the shocks apart?.any suggestions would be good,cheers,trevor.

[Tooty]

Hi Trev,

"Easy" is not the word I would have picked to describe this operation.

As long as the shocker mounting bolts aren't seized, and quite often they are, the shocks aren't difficult to take off. The real problem comes when you try to dismantle the shocks. You will need a 10 ton Press to compress them to take the circlip out. The fasteners that hold the shocks together will be VERY tight.

Any decent bike shop will have the gear needed to do this job and it takes about an hour.

For info, the 2000-up Softail kit also fits the 07 models.

Tooty

[Moley]

I had my Deuce lowered with one of the "cheapo" kits.

End result was that it really improved the look of the bike but the ride was way harsher. I could live with it but might be a problem if you have any lower back issues.

I now have an air kit which is a massive improvement - obviously costs a lot more dosh though!

[SX 150]

By fitting a lowering kit you are reducing the range of travel your swing-arm can make. I tried this, and it constantly grounded out, to me it was unacceptable.
As Moley says a air ride system is the ideal solution,- with an onbourd compressor,- full suspension travel (but not as good a ride as standard shocks I.M.O.) and then you can sink it to the floor when parked up.

I "imported " mine from the US a few years back, $600ish then- but that was well cheap.

[Evo160K]

Harley used to offer lowering shocks for softails. They lowered the bike about 1". I use them on an evo softail and like them. They may still offer them.

[banquo]

Read this:
http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...g-softail.html

[Gary_M]

I had my ’05 softail lowered at SHD in Stoke last year. Steve used the longer threaded bolts and it took him about an hour and a half to fit. I went down around an inch and a half. I ride two up most of the time. I’ve rarely bottomed out and I haven’t noticed any appreciable difference in the ride quality.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Evo160K

Harley used to offer lowering shocks for softails. They lowered the bike about 1". I use them on an evo softail and like them. They may still offer them.

Still do, 54652-05.

I installed the adjustable rear shock on my 98 softtail, and as with all the other posts on this topic, the ride was 'hard'. The look was excellent, but my Mrs wouldn't sit on the back afterwards - she jarred her neck quite badly and I suppose it didn't help that I had the tiny Corbin 50's style seat on the rear, which was hard as nails anyway. Like Tooty says, you can't install the adjusters yourself unless you have a press.

Once installed, to make the necessary finer adjustments you have to constantly jack the bike up which is a pain. In my opinion compromise between comfort and lowered inches doesn't make the installation worth while. I also lowered the front end with one of the White Bros kits, which was easy, but also hardened up the ride on the front.

After 9 months on a hard ride, and looking at pics of L.V's ride I decided that the only way to realistically lower the rear end and get a comfortable ride was to install an air suspension system.

I ended up with a Legend unit (I found in the States when on holiday 2nd hand). They weight almost 15K all in, so be prepared for a high shipping charge. I was warned against the Legend system, but it was all that was available at the time so I went for it. To be honest, I think it's the doggy's ball bag and recommend them to anyone. The support from Independent Motorcycles in the States is excellent as well. They cost almost £1700 over here, but you can bag a bargain on eBay USA.

Save your money Trev and save for an air suspension system.