I saw somewhere on this site a formula on how much ground clearance you lose for each inch you lower the shock. I remember it not being exactly 1 to 1.

Am I correct or confused? does anyone know what the relationship is?

 

Looking at the picture you have in your signature it looks like you shocks are about a 30 degree angle... Take the length of your shock and divide by 1.7. That will be pretty close to the vertical height. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks, with 11" shocks it should be about 6.4", which will work for me.

The reason I'm asking is when i look up the specs for the 2004 FXDXI it says the ground clearance is 5.9 with the stock 13" shock. When i got down there with a ruler it was more like 7". Using the 1.7 figure it's 7.6, lol. confusing.

 

Not sure on the ground clearance... Read your first post wrong. Dividing by 1.7 will give you the distance from the bottom shock bolt to a place directly about the bolt and inline with the top mounting bolt. Imagine your shock making a right triangle with the rear fender strut. Maybe that accounts for the difference in your measurements. Also, I.m just guessing on the angle.

 

lol ok, I guess its time to go out after it stops raining and measure, lol. thanks for the help