Any Ideas? Lowering...Cheap!

[NA7A]

Well, I have decided that my new Mustang Seat had made hard for me now. It sits me up an inch higher and moved my center of gravity off so much that I dont really sit flat footed when stopped. I hate this feeling, like I dont have control. I may put the stock seat back on until I can figure out a cheap way to lower the bike. I know changing out the shocks (maybe) will do it but that is expensive. Any other ideas out there?

Thanks in advance,

[Clint]

Before you go spending time and money, I'd just ride for a while. Plan ahead so your feet are on solid, flat ground. You may find it's not an issue.

[NA7A]

Hi Rowdy, thanks for the advice...it sounds like good advice. I guess I just miss my solid footing when the seat was lower and I felt more confident when I came to a stop.

[Clint]

I know what you mean. When I lowered my forks for the clipons, I realized that I had flat footing. It is nicer.

[Rickster]

You shouldn't have to change out the shocks, If I'm not mistaken, Harley makes a bracket that mounts to your swing-arm, and moves the lower shock position a little further back, resulting in a lower seat height.

Just about anything you could ever think to do to your Sporty, someone else has already tried/done, and Harley makes a part for it.

[SoCalCruisin]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Before you go spending time and money, I'd just ride for a while.

I agree, but maybe not the whole post. My C50T is the only bike (of over 7 bikes I've owned and numerous more ridden) that I could flat foot it. It's something you get used to. My Venture is over 800 lbs dry, I can only tippy toe it or one foot flat, and it hasn't been an issue for me yet.

There is one intersection on my commute to work if I'm the first vehicle in the middle lane, the asphault has a lump that allows me to flat foot it. I admit I feel real comfortable stopping there, but that doesn't happen often.

[JmalB]

Originally Posted by Rickster

Just about anything you could ever think to do to your Sporty, someone else has already tried/done, and Harley makes a part for it.

And charges Harley appropriate prices for it.

[MoonRunner]

Go here:Shocks for Sportsters (they have shocks and block kits both) and here: Lick's Custom Cycles ... custom motorcycles, tanks, parts and accessories, plus new and used bikes, at good prices.

There are simple and reasonably cheap ways to get it done. And you don't have to do the front. It will look good not lowering the front as long as the back does'nt drop too low.

[NA7A]

Thanks guys for all the advice and inputs here, I really appreciate it.

Rickster; Yes, I was thinking the same thing that there should be something really simple to do here. I know on my M50 I just changed out my Dog Bones and lowered it about 2-3 inches. Parts cost about $15 or I could have made them myself for a lot less.

SoCal and JmalB, I agree...I bought mirror extensions from Harley that was nothing more then two 2" studs and paid $30. Now I wonder if my mirror problem was made worse by my seat raising me up an inch.

MoonRunner, thanks man, I will check these links out but my guess is were talking lots of $$$. I see the struts would be the least expensive but not realistic for me so the 10" HD short shocks for $229 would be the way I would go if anything. What would be cool is if a new bracket for the stock shocks could be fabricated to lower them and still use the same shock. You know, like a bracket that would bolt to the bottom of the shock about 2" lower then where it is now. Something like a "J" configuration.

I wonder how this all affects the belt tension and other things...I guess that would be covered in the stock install notes.

[eb77k]

Lowering blocks are available from J&P cyles and almost any other 'big book' aftermarket company. I'm figuring about $25 or so...

[NA7A]

Hey eb77k, ok now that's what i'm talking about.....I'll check out JP and see what I find.

Thanks man...

Well, I checked out JP and this is all I could find...at this price I would just buy the lower shocks...

J&P Cycles - Motorcycle exhausts, seats, mirrors, and more

[MoonRunner]

Dennis Kirk: Dennis Kirk | Harley Davidson Main Page
$113.00

[Rickster]

Try J & P part number 701-196, it cost $87, but might not fit your 07. A phone call would answer that.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by JmalB

And charges Harley appropriate prices for it.

Have you checked the prices Suzuki charges for the very limited number of parts they offer for your M50. Not only do they charge as much, or more than Harley, but there parts list is only one or two pages. Harley, and after market parts for sportys are almost unlimited.

[NA7A]

MoonRunner, what do you make of this statment from the link you posted...

XL 86-07 models are lowered approximately 1"; wheel travel is reduced 1/2" for stock (not for Hugger and 883 or 1200 Custom)

My bike is a Custom so do I read this to say it will not work on a Custom?

Rickster, yes, you are correct about the cost of Suzuki parts...Harley may even be a wee bit cheaper and like you say....lots more parts available.

[NA7A]

Thanks Rickster but it looks like we have a problem...I just spent about 30 minutes on the phone with J&P and they checked 3 or 4 mfg's and the 1200 Custom is excluded on all lowering kits, why I dont know. It may be that the custom is lowered as far as it can and to be safe, no one wants to lower it any more then it already is. So far, it looks like the only way is with shocks like the links MoonRunner provided above.

[MoonRunner]

I believe this one would be for the custom:Dennis Kirk | Harley Davidson Main Page

[NA7A]

Hey MoonRunner, thanks man....this will do it. I think I will give them a try then I can put my Mustang Seat back on. I put the stock seat back on today so I could keep both feet on the ground. but 1" lower would do the trick and I could have my new seat back on.

Thanks again for finding this MoonRunner...you da man!

[Rickster]

I haven't a clue, why the lowering kits don't work on the customs, but it's not because they are already the lowest. The XL1200C (your bike) has a 28 inch seat height, and the XL1200N (Nightster) has a 26.3 inch seat height.
Were you able to flat foot your M50? It had a 27.6 inch seat height, that's only .4 inches less than your sporty.

Edit..... Keep in mind, if you order from DK, you get free shipping for any orders OVER $100.00. I don't know if $99.99+tax is considered over. Check there book, and see if there is anything else you need.

[NA7A]

Hey Rickster, I actually lowered my M50 first thing by about 3 inches with new dog bones. Not sure what that did to the seat height but I know I sat lower then my Sportster stock. I think the M50 seat is a lower seat too.

Yea, the Sportster is 28 un-mounted but 26.5 mounted.

Thanks for the tip on shipping too.