I want to lower my 14 Ultra. I can manage the bike as is but would be more comfortable if it were lower. My misses has her own bike so I don't ride two up.


I have two sets of shocks. The 12in shocks off her Street Glide and a set of Progressive 412-4075B 11.5in shocks.


I don't really care for the air suspension and would rather have the 412s, but Im not sure that the 11.5in is enough shock for an Ultra. Progressive says that the shock is good for 225+ lbs of weight.


Im also wondering how I will get the front dropped an inch to level the bike.


How much work is it to replace the fork springs, does the inner fairing have to come off?

 

I have a 2015 Ultra Classic Low. The Low comes with HD Premium suspension front and rear and lowers the bike. Maybe set on one at a dealer and see what you think. Don't let the seat throw you off, it's reduced reach and pushes you forward abit, but the ride height would give you an idea.


Also, depending on how much lower you need to go, don't rule out simply having your seat reworked.

 

Street Glides have 12" rear shocks and stock length forks, so that suggests you don't need to lower the front as well. It sounds as if you will be comfortable with just the rear lowered a little, although 11.5" sounds a bit too much to me. Frankly the cornering clearance would be more important to me, so although I can only get one foot flat I maintain stock shocks length.

 

I wasn't aware that all touring front ends were the same height.


I will slide the forks up in the trees and see how that looks and rides.


We don't do the twisties so Im not worried about dragging the boards or kickstand.

 

I have a '14 Ltd. I wanted a tighter front & rear suspension, so I replaced the stock front end with Traxxion Dynamics AK-20's. I kept stock height, but there was an option to lower an inch. I replaced the stock rear air shocks with Bitubo WME03's. I kept stock height in the rear as well. These allow preload and rebound adjustment. (Piggy back reservoirs won't fit behind saddlebags on HD touring bikes and I didn't like the look of remote reservoirs. So, I gave up compression adjustment.)

While I opted for stock height, a one inch option was available. Based on the handling improvements at both low speed and on the highway, I am quite happy with this configuration.

 

Don't Street Glides have a larger front wheel/tire combo ?

 

I think you're right, however the rolling diameter of the 16", 17", 18" and 19" front wheels are all very close, so not enough to make a difference. With increased rim diameter the tyre is lower profile.

 

My misses SG has a 130/70/18 front tire, my Ultra has a 130/80/17. The difference in overall diameter is less than 1/4in.