Want to lower my clssic about1 inch .Do i need todoboth front & back?.Wich shocks on rear the rear ? Air or coil .I only weigh 160,sometimes with wife..What about front? Last thought is kickstand, do i have to change ?......THANKS ...TOMMY

 

I lowered my 2004 RK, probably nothing changed from then till now so applications on lowering should be the same.
It is wise to always lower both front & rear it for the geometric purposes. I lowered the rear using HD's 1" lower shocks, you may also want to look into progressive suspension they have a few differant styles of shocks to use.
The front was lowered 11/4 with white bro fork springs, HD has springs also, the reason I went 1 1/4 in the front is I am running a 21' rim and a18 on rear.......The ride is great no complaints here, ride wise you cannot feel any differance.
Be warned most HD dealerships will only lower to 1 1/4 they claim any lower and it is insurance issue they do not want to see happen.
Kickstand, NO you will not need to change, anything lowered 2" or more will effect the standing

 

I can understand peoples logic in Proper lowering of a bike, and I do agree with lowering both front & rear...Although I have dropped just the rear of MANY bikes for customers and have not ran into ANY problems or complaints. Doing it every way from shocks to drop blocks. Just voicing another opinion. Have a great day.
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I ran my Road King lowered in the rear for 6 years and thought it was great. Lowered a lot of customers bikes in just the rear and have had no complaints. This year I lowered the front and realized just how bad it was handleing before. When just the rear is lowered the rake and trail change. When I did the front the steering became much quicker and more precice and predictable. If your not going to change to a good aftermarket shock like Progressive's 440 IAS I would suggest useing the White Bros bracket to keep the stock length shock stroke, the HD lowered shocks bottom out pretty easy evan with air pressure. You wont need a shorter kick stand if only going 1" but if you ride aggressivly in the twisties you will drag it on every corner. Of course this is all just my opinion since I went and put 16" apes and a 21 on the front to totally screw up the way it handles.

 

Sounds good show some Pictures hogdoc. I agree i Lowered my Bike using White Bros Brackets

 

Ice: When you use the White Bros. brackets, do the saddle bags still fit OK? I've got an '05 Road King Classic, and I was wondering if the new position of the shocks (I assume slanted back) allow them to still fit in the "reliefs" on the back side of the saddle bags.

Thx,

Don

 

yeah everything fit the same as before with no Issues

 

TOMRACER69,

Let us know which way you go and your opinions. I too am planning to lower mine and based on some feedback / information here I am learning towards the 12" Progressive shocks.

There seems to be mixed thoughts regarding the brackets.

 

Please let us know what you think after it's done.