I have been reading everything possible lately regarding lowering the rear of my 2007 Road King Classic. I dont need much, 1" would make a world of difference.

Guys I respect have different opinions about this subject. Then there is the problem of actually lowering it. Every kit (blocks) I have found are for all touring models except the classic.

I considered other shocks but cant get a straight answer there either. Obviously the ride quality is important to me, and this appears to be a highly debated subject.

There is a shop that does excellent quality seat reworks in town, removes foam, adds high density foam with added comfort and better footing. the only problem is it will take 2 weeks to complete and riding season is already underway. I just purchased the bike and would hate to park it for 2 weeks already.

I did search here, lots of debate. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Rich

 

Here's a start

http://www.harley-davidsonforums.com...c-lowered.html

Also, you can read until your eyes bleed and you will be more confused than when you started. I'm dealing with the same thing regarding stretched bags and air ride. Even those with expensive Bitubos or Ohlins shocks will give you mixed reviews. If I were you I may start with the seat or weld 1" blocks to your shoes.

 

Most after market seats are lower. I have a Mustang on my 08 and it lowered it quite a bit. I've priced reworking seats and it's not much different than a new seat.

When you only lower one end, you change the rake and trail angles slightly on the front end and it could possibly effect handling.

Do you have a place near you that sells aftermarket seats? Most will put the seat on your bike and let you try it out. Another benefit to aftermarket seats are that they always more comfortable than the stock seat.

 

Another vote for Mustang. Get one with a riders backrest and you will feel like you are riding a much more comfortable bike. I recently raised my Road King as I was tired of scraping my floorboards on sharp turns. Also consider more heel/sole on your riding boots if you are vertically challenged.

 

Mean City took 1 inch out of my Sundowner solo seat. I rode for 13 days 3500 miles on my Sturgis trip, and my *** never bothered me.

 

Rich-

We sell lowering blocks for Touring, but like you have found, they won't fit the Classic because it changes the angle of the shock and will rub on the bags.

You can get the shorter shocks they put on the Street Glide and they also put them on the RK Custom (before it was discontinued).

I have had both a Custom and a Classic. The shorter shocks do NOT ride as nicely...they don't have as much travel/they are stiffer.

Like has been said, if you want to keep the full rear shock travel you have now, then lowering at the seat is the route to go. You can either spend $ and get a different seat, or have someone redo your seat, or you can do it yourself.

It is really pretty easy, and you can make it exactly like you want.

Just pull the seat off, remove the staples on the bottom holding the cover on. Then use a disk grinder and slowly start taking some of the foam off. Sit on it as you go to get the shape and height exactly how you want.

Put the plastic back on, then the vinyl cover, and staple it back up.

 

Similar issues with my FLHRCI. I swapped out the OEM shocks for the low touring from a Street Glide. The ride is a little rougher but very acceptable. Then, had Mean City Cycles lower my Sundowner seat by one inch and push me forward 1/2 inch. Amazing difference. I am 5'8" with a 31" inseam. This has been the perfect solution for me ... it did take me one year of reading and experimenting to dial-in this solution.

 

Thanks to all for the replies. It cost just over 100 bucks for the seat rework locally. I think I'll try that first. The seat has the matching emblems and I would prefer to keep it that way vs an aftermarket seat.

thanks again.

 

04 Road King Classic myself. Got it with what I thought was a reach seat, but might be Sundowner actually (don't know, no name or part number on it). 13" stock air shocks.

Installed a used set of 12" stock air shocks. Very unhappy with this at the moment. Bottoms out very easily and violently. They may well be out of fluid. Haven't played with air pressure either. Hope to swap out fluid this weekend, and play with air pressure. If I can't fix the bottoming problem, I'll go back to the stock 13" shocks, and learn more about going with progressive replacements instead.

Picked up a real reach seat (I think) cheaply at a swap meet the other week. While it is an inch lower than whatever I've got on there now, it does not help me reach the ground at all. Reason being is that while foam is missing on the top, it is no narrower, so my legs get splayed out further. Take your seat off and sit right on the frame rails and you'll see what I'm talking about. You're lower still, but the leg situation is made worse. Turns out, you actually need a little height in order to get your legs down alongside the bike.

Interestingly, the reach seat holds me further back than the other low slung seat does. I can scoot forward with the other seat, not so with the reach seat. I'm thinking of making a cushion to set against the back scoop of the seat to help hold me forward. Should be easy enough to make, with a tab that will fit down inside the backrest slit.

 

I'm 5'7" with a 32-inch inseam and Harley's Reduced Reach Seat is the only lowering I needed for my 2007 RKC.