Lowering my Sportster.

[El Caballo]

I'd like to lower my bike, but how? Cut the fork tubes? I hate to say this; is there a kit? Hugger parts?

Oh yeah... '99 XLC 1200.

[gringo]

the fuctory sells both lowered shocks (drops the rear an inch) like 3 bills?
and a kit for replacing the tubes with lowered ones also (drops them 11 3/4") 150 or so

ness put out a "slam kit" for 89-03 xl's for a hundred and change that looks similar to lowering blocks
(zero exp with these)

[El Caballo]

Not bad prices for the shocks. I can imagine the "drop blocks" just being a couple of machined pieces....



the fuctory sells both lowered shocks (drops the rear an inch) like 3 bills?
and a kit for replacing the tubes with lowered ones also (drops them 11 3/4") 150 or so

ness put out a "slam kit" for 89-03 xl's for a hundred and change that looks similar to lowering blocks
(zero exp with these)

[gringo]

dont quote me...its been awhile but itll be close

and yep the blocks are just that.....here are some vrod ones
http://www4.jpcycles.com/main/3608d2ae-7c9a-4bb6-a641-07bce33ed87c.jpeg

[Broman]

I lowered the rear of my Sporty about 1.50 inches with those shock reloction blocks. They move your bottom rear shock mounts down and back to lower the bike. It doesn't affect the ride at all and it takes almost no time to do. Made by White Bros.

They also sell rear "lowering" shocks (aka - short shocks) that do the same. The diference - price. About $75-90 (depending on year of bike) for the blocks compared to $200-300 for new shocks. The only thing I don't know right off-hand is if the shocks lower the bike more than the blocks do. But I do know this - 1.5 inches doesn't sound like a lot, but it is a very noticeable difference in appearance.

White Bros. also sell a kit for the front forks that lowers the front end by replacing the factory springs and spacers with lower, more stiff ones. You just have to be able to take the whole front end apart and tear the old guts out of your shocks to replace it with the kit's.....about $99 bucks as well...be sure to check against what model you have - this kit would not fit on a Sportster Sport (like mine !!).

So basically for 200 bones you could be closer to ma earth in less than a day......

[burger]

El C,


Progressive Suspension makes the lowest Sporty shocks available. They're something like a full inch lower than the Hugger units.

Numerous manufacturers sell spring kits to lower your forks. They should run about $100.


Ed

[Polock Joe]

My buddy lowered his by putting 10.5in shocks on the back. He pulled them out a Jap bike junk yard...they look identical to Harley shocks and they are 1/4 the price.

[El Caballo]

My buddy lowered his by putting 10.5in shocks on the back. He pulled them out a Jap bike junk yard...they look identical to Harley shocks and they are 1/4 the price.

Could you ask him what jap bike they came off of?

[earl schieb]

Short shocks work good on the rear---I fat-tired an Evo Sporty for a lady two years ago, found some used rears at the local consignment shop--think they were 10.5....
Same bike had a rear White Bros kit on it. I still have it and I'd be happy to sell it to you. How 'bout $60 shipped and I'll give $10 to the board/Ryan?

[Polock Joe]

Could you ask him what jap bike they came off of?

Honda--I think you can find them on ebay too.

[rev616]

I'd like to lower my bike, but how? Cut the fork tubes? I hate to say this; is there a kit? Hugger parts?

Oh yeah... '99 XLC 1200.


shit man..if you dont know how to get into the forks to put in the front lowering kit..my friend JT lives in borger and would love to get some side work..he like me is a harley mechanic...send me a PM

[El Caballo]

shit man..if you dont know how to get into the forks to put in the front lowering kit..my friend JT lives in borger and would love to get some side work..he like me is a harley mechanic...send me a PM

I looked at my shocks out back and I can now see what appears to be a fourth lower position on the shocks. Really, it looks like I need a special spanner to turn it one more time and thats it.

There are fork lowering spring kits for about $100. I'm pretty sure I could figure it out, but it's always nice to talk to someone who actually knows what it takes. He might be convinced to check my work for some beer at least.

[dvlscoupe]

I just took the lowered shocks and springs off mine...they're chrome and cleen...Pretty new too.
If ya want 'em I'll sell em for $75 shipped to ya.

[El Caballo]

Are you talkig about the fork springs?



I just took the lowered shocks and springs off mine...they're chrome and cleen...Pretty new too.
If ya want 'em I'll sell em for $75 shipped to ya.

[dvlscoupe]

Sorry I should be more specific. I meant rears.

[dixiedog]

El C I lowered a FXD dyna convertable with White Bros. fork springs and shorter rear shocks, it rode like shit but I weighed 270 then and the wife was 110 (don't tell her I said that).

When I had my old Sporty in the Rats Hole show years ago I met Randy Rall (sp?) he had a sporty that he cut the rear swingarm mount tube and raised it up higher and raked the front out another few degrees and ran a 21" laced front.

I loved this bike eventually saw it in a few mags but this was back in 94 before billet took off.

[El Caballo]

You know, I'll try and ratchet it down one more notch on my current rear springs and see what that does. If you look at the picture of my bike you will see a reverse rake on the bike anyway, so I might get away with just the front springs. We shall see.



El C I lowered a FXD dyna convertable with White Bros. fork springs and shorter rear shocks, it rode like shit but I weighed 270 then and the wife was 110 (don't tell her I said that).

When I had my old Sporty in the Rats Hole show years ago I met Randy Rall (sp?) he had a sporty that he cut the rear swingarm mount tube and raised it up higher and raked the front out another few degrees and ran a 21" laced front.

I loved this bike eventually saw it in a few mags but this was back in 94 before billet took off.

[Broman]

El C I lowered a FXD dyna convertable with White Bros. fork springs and shorter rear shocks, it rode like shit but I weighed 270 then and the wife was 110 (don't tell her I said that).


gimme a hundred bucks and I won't squeal..... :)




But really, I had never concidered the weight thing. I'm only 175 lbs - I used the White Bros. stuff and never felt a difference. The only thing your loose is travel, not shock or spring rate....The fork kit is more prgressive than the factory set-up, but the rear blocks mearly change the geometry and take away a little overall travel.

Seat of the pants feel, not too different. Maybe a little more nimble than stock, which is a blast on my particular bike because the 1200 Sport comes with a dirt-track style adjustable dial on each shock and fork leg.....I can run it really stiff through a twisty road, then just pull over, turn the dials, and soften it all up for a comfy ride home, kinda sweet huh?


I rode my dads Heritage and it scared the shit out of me. It was a mushy, spongy, nose-diving mess.....But after 50 miles or so I am just settling in on his bike. After 50 on my bike I am in level 3 numb-ass mode, which is the one right before level 4 (numb-ass and stiff back).....If you make it to level 5 you might as well not get off the bike 'til she's really low on fuel. :)

[dixiedog]

You know, I'll try and ratchet it down one more notch on my current rear springs and see what that does. If you look at the picture of my bike you will see a reverse rake on the bike anyway, so I might get away with just the front springs. We shall see.

If you do the front springs dont remove the bushing on the slider , I had a young guy come by my house the first weekend of bike week after he removed that bushing wanting to see if I could put it back in (his was a FatBoy). He had to go to the HD shop to get them to reinstall it. While you're at it swap out the seals too so you dont get seepage:eek:

[Django]

10.5" shocks on a Honda? The shortest I found was 11.5. I ordered some 10.5" shocks for my XS for $179. Hatch found the place for me. I've got the link on the HAMB somewhere.

[glbrown75th]

Hi, I too have a 2003 HD Sportster 883 Hugger. I have the stock shocks on it now (11" I think) and they're terrible. I want to add new shocks and in the process lower it about an inch. Somewhere along this site I saw where someone listed the Licks G2 short shocks.
http://www.lickscycles.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1836

anyone used these brand of shocks before or know anything about them. They look fairly solid, however I'm not sure about putting on a 10" shock since my wife often rides with me on the back. What type of range should I allow for?
Any feed back is much appreciated thanks much.

[whizzerick]

Tadaaaaaaa! And a 5 year old thread appears!

[jamesgs4]

a noob actually used the search and still gets his balls busted, oops shoulda done an intro lol

[jamesgs4]

since my wife often rides with me on the back.
even more lolz

[panhead_pete]

glbrown - 10 out 10 for using the search function!!!

The lowering blocks in the rear change the geometry and IMHO kinda look a little odd. The White Brothers lowering kits are simple and relatively cheap for the front. If you are chasing short rear shocks place a wanted ad on here and put it in your signature, that way it appears every time you make a post. Just make sure any bolts holding your seat on arent long as you'll gouge your rear tyre.... yes learnt that one the hard way :(

Welcome aboard too. Now if you could, just do a quick intro, look on the top of the 1st page and you'll see the place. Lots of love (and hate :) ) for sportys here. If you really want to lower your sporty search "smoking gun" :)

[glbrown75th]

thanks panhead, very much appreciated.
I"m new to riding kinda...did it years ago and just got a sporty back in May. I've put about 3k miles on her already. She rides good, however the stock shocks truly suck. I've played with the preloads and nothing different.
I feel like 1inch will make all the difference in the world though (my life story lol). I just don't want to put crappy shocks on her.

[threeston]

and then once you are done dicking around with those silly shock angle relocation things.
you can chop that _ sportster.

[panhead_pete]

Perhaps consider not spending any money lowering it and buy a rigid frame or even a weld on hard tail if you can live with no rear suspension which would be the easiest way for getting it lower whilst not having any hassle with the numbers. There are apparently a few options for that. Look in the sporty thread that has a few done like that. Whilst its not a little job its something that can be achieved if you know someone who can weld and do some fab work. If not there is likely a shop somewhere nearby that could do that part for you :)

[misfit36]

i had the 1st gen 10" licks shocks on a few years ago, lasted about 2 1/2 years and started leaking alittle on one so i went back to stock for now. the 10" ride rough and youll def bottom out with 2 up. just MO.

[punkrod]

whichever way you do it don't forget the kickstand.