rear guard

[grimsqueaker]

Heres one for ya, has anyone ever/ will i be able to lower the rear guard down a bit as at the mo it looks a bit high in my opinion

http://www.harley-davidson-hangout.c...php/photo/1969

im not entirely sure if i have managed to get the rear shocks fully compressed but when i try the back wheel is not touching

[kiwidave]

You bet and to my mind this is the single biggest style crime with all FXs, FXRs, Softails and Dynas - that bloody horrible high stock rear guard.

It looks shite. IMO.

Here's what I did about 10 years ago, bearing in mind it can be a repaint job: (OR use a 30 quid swap meet fender as I did and 20 quid swap meet struts.)

***move circuit breakers off guard, place them over oil tank on a bracket under seat

**buy one-inch or even two-inch shorter Progressives shocks, and set to max preload so you never hit the fender on tyre. Prog Susp units work great for this idea. Sorry, I just cannot remembe the eye-to-eye measure on my FXEF shocks, I think they are 11.5inch. I think stock is 13inch?

**remove fender. cut a couple of inches off the front (hidden behind battery and oil tank) end

** dummy up the fender so it looks good and how you want it. I sat it a lot lower and rotated it a bit forward. Far closer to tyre is possible, but not silly-close. Your new and quality shocks will ride firm, but you don't want tyre contact.

**mark new shorter length of stock fender struts (this will be needed if you did it like me), and how much to have them ''cut and shut'', and accordingly where to drill new strut holes in fender. Note: you do NOT want the fender struts too short. That really affects fender play and strength, as I found out after a dodgy first try. Keep them longish.

** get friendly mate / local welder to fill existing holes in fender, drill new ones, and cut and shut the struts. Or DIY (I don't weld, wish I could). Pay him with beer and cash.

** DUMMY UP again with bolts, jump up and down on seat to ensure no contact. when sure, get struts rechromed or powdercoated to match fender colour. Looks great.

** bolt it all up, and just keep a watch every riding season on the inner primary starter housing as new lowered rear end will cause slight chain whip on the bottom of that housing and eventually could hole it. But this is well known and there is even a ''shoe'' you can buy to reinforce.

OK the shocks are a little firm, but no big deal on a Shovel. Enjoy new low riding style, be the envy of your mates as your kneecap meets your seat as you stand on left side of bike.

It really makes a world of difference to looks, and low is ALWAYS bitching. Here is the finished article on my FXEF. I think it is an improvement, at least. And I am the only one that needed to be happy with this.

[kevin bolden]

Bike looks goodwith the mods. Im in the process of doing similar and to ensure clearances Im going to ratchet strap the suspension down in the compressed posistion to set fender/tyre clearances

[kiwidave]

now that's a damn good tip! wish I had thought of that!

[grimsqueaker]

well the shocks that are on her at the mo are 12 inchers so no need to worry about that , but everything else you have said sounds like a plan , now where are those ratchet straps