Does anybody have before and after pictures of their bikes after installing the drop in 2" fork springs?

Also any input on how the bike rides, handles, any noticable differences after.

My forks just seem so long and puny, figure maybe lowering them down might close up the gap and give it a better look on the front end.

 

Dropped 2" with tubes.
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Lowering the front is about the best thing you can do to the FX frontend. They look so spindly and weak at stock height.

 

'07 Deluxe, before and after Progressive drop-in kit:





Front end has settled a bit lower since these pics, and it seemed a little soft after installation, but switching to the heavy fork oil brought it back to a stock feeling ride.

 

ElSupremo, is that a 2" drop in the front? How much in the rear?

 

I was going to ask the same thing. I have decided a set of 422's is in my future soon, I was just starting to look into doing the front end. This thread also contains the first mention of changin to a heavier oil when you do the drop in springs. Glad I read this one....staying tuned.....

 

Neil, what do you mean dropped with tubes?

I was going to buy a drop in kit...

also ElSupremo, whats the deal with the oil. Progressive makes it seem like you just pull the old out, pop the new in but never says anything about oil.

Can you go into more detail on how you did this? do you have to completely take the forks apart and dump the old oil out and just put in new heavier?

And GhostRider... did you even say anything? can't get pass the awesome ***

 

Dropped with tubes: buy shorter tubes or have the stock ones modded to lower the frontend.

Fork oil: there are drain plugs at the bottom of the forks where you can drain the oil if needed. Heavier oil will usually smooth out a slugish frontend. Don't go too heavy or you will need stiffer springs too counter act the heavier oil. It's like walking in mud compared too water.

 

So what is the better/safer way to go?

Obviously a drop in spring kit is designed to replace the internals and drop it correctly and safely, vs. taking out the stock tube and cutting it down.

I would correlate this to heating up the coilsprings on a car to drop it vs buying dropped spindles.

Is it ghetto to cut the tubes? is it no different? I'm handy and have machining capabilitles to mod my stock tube, but if it's a sketchy way to do it I'd rather pay the money and do it right.

Can anybody comment on these concerns?

 

get flh tubes they are 2 inches shorter and the internals are basically the same. You get complete sets with internals off ebay for @130.00

 

I have to agree with Jakazz and Neil, the best and correct way to lower the front end
is use shorter fork tubes. Its a little more but you don't lose 2 inches of travel and you
end with a stock ride. I have done my bike and two of my bud's bike this way with
complete success.
41mm front ends:
FLH 20.25" tube length
FLST 22.25 " "
FXST 24.25 " "
It looks like you have a FXSTC or Standard, can't tell from your picture , so if you
want to drop your bike two inches you would order FLST length.
I found a damn good kit and price on these tubes. Great quality and XLNT price.
The kit sells for $125.00 on ebay from a company named BKRider. You get
everything from the chrome bolt(plug) that screws into the top of the fork tube
to the allen screw that threads into the bottom of the slider into the dampening
rod. You'll see in the pic on the link I'm providing that means everything excluding
the Slider itself. Seals,bushings,clips,dampening rods and top fork tube plugs.
Fork tubes from like J&P Cycles sell for close to $200.00 alone.
Now I know this all sounds well and good but some people will say why go
to all the trouble when you can just drop in some spring and be done with it.
I think Neil and Jakazz will agree there ain't nothing better than stock ride and
travel!!
I know I'm going to get BLASTED on this post but so what. MY 2Cents!!
Here the link for the part kit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/22-25...Q5fAccessories
If the link don't work go to: www.bkrider.com
Bkrider Part# C01150150