Be careful if you are lowering the bike. A friend was cleaning his bike. When he turned the handlebars from left to right, the bike fell over to the right. He was still using the stock length kick stand.

 

Absolute best way to do it (not cheapest) is to install Howard Messners Ohlins 2-2a. Or 2-2b cant remember. Mine sits at about 12" eye to eye and around 11-1/4 when mounted. Retains 3" travel.
I recommend staying away from lowering blocks. Do it the right way if you can fund it. But just think...with new shocks your not only getting it lowered...your also replacing the crap HD for a performance shock.

also...usually when it comes to the seat...it needs to be more narrow rather than lower. Check your seat it might be wide as hell. I had a Corbin hollywood... lowest seat around but really wide for sure.

the boots is an obvious solution but the you always have to wear those boots...plus deal with the heel. Bigger heel means less legroom to the floorboards too.

 

Agreed.....

I'm a satisfied customer of Howard, but with another model of shock.... In your place, I would go the #2-2A from Howard..

In any case, I would strongly suggest that if you are going to a 12" shock, avoid the HD offerings and go with one of the several high performance, after market shocks. Your butt will thank you...