First name is kelly
Joined on February 28th of '08
Lives in boise, ID
Local time: 02:56 PM
PM | Posts: 18

i keep seing these lowering kits you have to disassemble the rear shock. why couldn't you lock down the OEM shaft and thread with the thread cutter. anyone out there think this would work. got mine out looked at it considered the option.

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First name is dave
Joined on August 18th of '04
Lives in Bung Hole, LA
Local time: 03:56 PM
PM | Posts: 10163

i think a longer shock actually lowers a soft tail.. not a shorter one.. that being the theory the shaft is whats actualy longer i believe..

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First name is Dave
Joined on August 19th of '04
Lives in peoples republic of, NJ
Local time: 04:56 PM
PM | Posts: 9568

yeah...but they dont handle that well when ya lower 'em and they ride like a rigid.

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First name is kelly
Joined on February 28th of '08
Lives in boise, ID
Local time: 02:56 PM
PM | Posts: 18

it's irrelevant, the shaft on OEM is shorter so it wouldn't work. always looking for a new trick to work with what i got. beats crossword puzzles.

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Premium Member

First name is dave
Joined on August 18th of '04
Lives in Bung Hole, LA
Local time: 03:56 PM
PM | Posts: 10163

yeah once lowered the do ride stiffer.. the way they are designed , the shocks have a very short travel, after that the swing arm hits the dampers on the frame becoming rigid at that point.. the lower they are the quicker the arm sits on the dampers.. its just the price of cool .. i run the short 11 in. shocks on my swing arm chassis, so they have a shorter travel too.. but with a stronger spring they work really well.. how much are you trying to lower it ??

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First name is kelly
Joined on February 28th of '08
Lives in boise, ID
Local time: 02:56 PM
PM | Posts: 18

about an inch and a quarter. i'm chopping the fender on my deuce. filling in the taillight area and removing and filling the turn sig holes on the struts to clean the lines of the bike. it really exaggerates the fender sitting stock height. i'm not so concerned about the ride, it was never that great to begin with. i've been on rigids and there wasn't much dif. do they make a better spring for the shock , dont want to go high dollar, wifes pissin and moanin already!

Last edited by 2-4-1 on 03-10-2010 at 09:26 AM

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Premium Member

First name is Dave
Joined on August 19th of '04
Lives in peoples republic of, NJ
Local time: 04:56 PM
PM | Posts: 9568

Kelly....if ya heart is set on lower'n the bitch...then go for it...you know your ridin style better than we do....it wont be unride-able just harder on ya ass bone .....besides,Style gets the smiles!!!!

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Joined on February 2nd of '04
Lives in Bristol UK, Europe
Local time: 09:56 PM
PM | SITE Posts: 1450

Dunno asbout over there, but over here, Softail rear arms are reasonably common, and reasonably cheap.

You get one (you could use the one in your bike, but this is a bit permanent) and set it up on the bench with some location for the pivots and the shock mounts pretty much the way round it would be in the bike. Measure the height of the axle slots.

Cut off the shock mount, trimmimg it from the arm and the shock mount pin

Raise the axle slots 1", 1 1/4" whatever it was you wanted. Lock them in place.

Fab up new bracket, bolt shock mount back to "jig", weld in new bracket.

Paint.

Bolt binto bike.

Stand back and admire your freshly lowered Softail.

Like I said, you can use your existing arm, but it's a bit permanent if you don't like the ride.

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Premium Member

First name is dave
Joined on August 18th of '04
Lives in Bung Hole, LA
Local time: 03:56 PM
PM | Posts: 10163

very true black jack.. if you are set on doing it with shocks , i'd recomend a set of progressive adjustable shocks.. i've had superior results with the progressive suspension parts.. add a custom fender & have some new struts cut & powdered.. that would really dump the standard duece look..

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Joined on March 24th of '09
Lives in Rock Springs, WY
Local time: 02:56 PM
PM Posts: 2

quote:

Originally posted by DAVE very true black jack.. if you are set on doing it with shocks , i'd recomend a set of progressive adjustable shocks.. i've had superior results with the progressive suspension parts.. add a custom fender & have some new struts cut & powdered.. that would really dump the standard duece look..

They have a complete kit for the softtails, that comes with new front springs and bushings, and the shock extenders for the rear shocks. The ride is rough but damn cool when it is setting low. This kit allows for up to 2 1/2 in front and rear. Kit can be installed in a morning and ridden by lunch

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