Hi folks,
I realise there are lots of questions about shocks on here, but I havent seen one that asks how much clearance do you lose by fitting some 11 inch shocks on an 02 wide glide.
I seem to have ample clearance now on the standard 12.5" shocks, and don't particularly want to scrape every time i go round a roundabout or a corner..

Have you changed your shocks to 11 inchers, and how did you find it, both for clearance and for ride..

Thank you..

 

I guess it would also depends on what brand. I have Progressives, ride is fine, you can change settings if too hard or bottoming out. You will scrape if you ride hard otherwise it is fine.

 

<”SteelCity”>

<” Have you changed your shocks to 11 inchers, and how did you find it, both for clearance and for ride..”>

Up front, I never brought into low riders style, but I own one : - )

My best buddy just had to have that lower look, so J&P and some big bucks he got a pair of Progressives 11 inchers well the bike looked great, I was a little green at first look !

When we went out to test them, I saw him hit a bump not a big one but a typical PA bump, the bike rock a bit (no big deal) and he turned around and look back at me, anyway the short of it, he said it’s different and look real good, I guess I will keep them. sounds good, Bill

He when ask me what did I think, I said Bill you’re the master wrench, (which he is) I said, it’s yet another “Form vs Function” deal, you want too look good or take corners and the roads w/bumps w/o damage to your bike (ground clearance) or your spine ? your choice.

I left’ the next ride I saw he took them off, there sitting in the bottom of his Snap-On box, one 3 hr ride.

I never did ask him about it.

But that’s him, maybe your riding style will be different.

Good luck,

cj

 

I'd like to add my opion here. I agree with cj-on the form vs function. The lower you slam the bike the less suspension travel you have, so it doesn't matter how good your shocks are, you just don't have any travel. I had a '99' softtail that was slammed and it was like riding a ridgid. The way I went this time on my 06 wide glide, was to shorten the shocks 1/2 inch. You can't really notice it being shorter, but it made just the right amount of a sutle change. With a quality after market shock of your choice, you can lower the bike and get a great ride vs the stock shocks. [IMG] [/IMG]

 

<"killer.com">

<"...The way I went this time on my 06 wide glide, was to shorten the shocks 1/2 inch. You can't really notice it being shorter, but it made just the right amount of a sutle change. With a quality after market shock of your choice, you can lower the bike and get a great ride vs the stock shocks.">

Now that is the way to lower a bike ! I can see that would be a fine mod, that is sweet looking or I should say "thats killer" ahh, killer : - )

Nice job !

cj

 

"Lowering" usually means cutting down the spring on the shock. Obviously, the lower you go, as everyone else points out, there are other factors (ride, suspension travel, etc.) that need to be considered. One other thing that a lot of people don't consider is that putting on a shorter shock actually lowers the back of the bike a little more when you sit on it. Keep in mind that the stock 12.5" shock is measured in an uncompressed state. Sit on the bike and the ctual distance between the mounting eyes is less than 12.5".

It is the same concept with the 11" or lower shocks. Losing that 1.5" in uncompressed measurement, sitting on the bike, depending on your weight would compress the shock even more, resulting in an actual travel reduction of over 1.5". Not saying there is anything wrong with that, I went with an 11.5" on my Dyna and the ride is still pretty good, just another thing to keep in mind when you're considering a lowered shock.

 

<”DGlide04”>

<”It is the same concept with the 11" or lower shocks. Losing that 1.5" in uncompressed measurement, sitting on the bike, depending on your weight would compress the shock even more, resulting in an actual travel reduction of over 1.5". Not saying there is anything wrong with that, I went with an 11.5" on my Dyna and the ride is still pretty good, just another thing to keep in mind when you're considering a lowered shock. “>

That’s right and 1.5” is a lot, but killer did only a half inch it sure looks good and I can’t believe (all things being equal) has barely an effect on handling, clearance, I think he has it done right.

cj

 

Good 411 DGLIDE 04.

 

Some good advice there, and thanks for the help..

I actually only need about a half inch or maybe an inch max, and only so I can get both feet down ok.

Looks like I will look for 12" shocks or maybe 11.5" as a max drop.

Thanks again..