I have a 06 1200C, I am considering lowering only the rear 1" via lowering blocks. What am I to expect from handling differences???? Do I have to lower the front equal or leave it alone. I like the way the front end handles now with new Progressive springs and dont want to mess with the springs. I have heard I can raise the fork tubes in the triple trees and inch of equal of lowering the rear. If I just do the rear, will I need a shorter kick stand???? The reason for all this is i find I find myself almost straight legged at stops.Knees just barely bent, and thinking if I lower it, I will have a better stance and better control at a stop. I might add im not getting any younger at 61 now. I have the seat I want a Mustand vintage and dont want to change it.

 

You can lower just the rear with little to no noticiceable changes to handling and ride quality.

You probably won't need to change the kickstand either.

 

I lowered my 05 1200C with 10" shocks. I've never been accused of being tall at 5'7" so lowering the bike fits me better. I do notice bumps in the road more but dont mind it too much. I just dont trust the lowering blocks.

 

I swapped out the stock 11" shocks on my 09 Iron with 13" Road King air shocks and used lowering brackets to take it back down to 10". I really love the feel and handling like it is now, with no other mods done to the front end.

 

ive got 9 inch struts on mine...no need for new stand.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. Is there any advantage to using lowering blocks or shorter shocks. I was looking at Burly on line and see lowering blocks (Chrome because swing arm is chrome) cost $110.00. I was surprised at the cost of just a block with 2 holes in it, may regroup and look at shorter shocks depending on answers in here. I think originals for a 06 1200C are 11.75???????????? If I could find some 11.0 for a decent price, id go with that. I need to pull a shock off the wifes 883L and compare lenght??????

 

I lowered the rear of my 2008 1200C using the 11" shocks off a Nightster. I bought them off Ebay for less than the lowering kit, and I don't have to worry about the rear wheel getting up in the wiring harness and fasteners. It still handles fine.

If you need to lower the front, an option is to just let the fork tubes come up a little thru the Tree's, no need to sacrifice the ride.

My front suspension is still stock and with the rear lowered the 1" I had a couple issues with parking (uneven ground), I put a kick stand off a 1200L on and everything is back to normal.

I'm in your age bracket also and the knees, & left hip made lowering the bike necessary.

Herb

 

I have the lowering blocks on my ride 99 xlc. I have had no problems and the ride is just fine. Stock kickstand.

 

Not sure where you are at, but there is a set of Licks 10" black rear shocks on the Akron/Canton craigs list for $100.00.

 

Thats a bit far, im in central Missouri, not to mentioon I want chrome, but thats for letting me know...........