The best way to lower a Softail is by adjusting the spring preload. This can be done by turning the adjustment screws on the shocks clockwise to increase tension, or counterclockwise to decrease tension. You can also adjust the length of the shock absorbers themselves by adding or removing spacers.
If you want to lower your Softail even further, you can install lowering blocks between the frame and rear axle.
- If your motorcycle is not equipped with adjustable pushrods, you will need to remove the shocks and lower the rear of the bike by hand
- With the shocks removed, locate the two adjusting nuts on each side of the swingarm
- Use a wrench to turn each adjusting nut counter-clockwise until it is loose enough to turn by hand
- Turn each adjusting nut until the desired amount of lowering has been achieved (usually between 1/2 and 1 inch)
- Once the desired amount of lowering has been achieved, tighten each adjusting nut back down using a wrench
- Reinstall the shocks onto the bike and enjoy your lowered ride!
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How Do You Adjust a Softail Rear Suspension?
If you have a rear suspension on your Harley-Davidson Softail, you may find that you need to adjust it from time to time. Here is how you can do this:
First, check the owner’s manual for your specific model of bike to see what the recommended settings are.
You may also want to check with a local Harley-Davidson dealer to get their input.
Once you have the recommended settings, you will need to adjust the preload on the shocks. This can be done by turning the adjusting nut at the top of each shock clockwise or counterclockwise.
Turning the nut clockwise will increase the preload, while turning it counterclockwise will decrease it.
You will want to experiment with different settings to see what works best for you and your riding style. Just remember that if you make any adjustments, be sure to write down the original settings so that you can return to them if necessary.
Does Lowering a Harley Affect Handling?
Lowering a Harley Davidson motorcycle can certainly affect the handling. This is because when you lower the bike, you are changing the center of gravity and affecting the suspension. Many people believe that lowering a Harley improves the handling, but it really depends on your individual riding style and preferences.
You may find that lowering your bike makes it more difficult to corner at high speeds or navigate through tight turns. If you frequently ride on winding roads or off-road trails, you may want to keep your Harley at its stock height in order to maintain optimal handling. Ultimately, it is up to you to experiment with different settings and find what works best for you and your motorcycle.
How Do You Install a Lowering Kit on a Harley Softail?
Installing a lowering kit on a Harley Softail is not as difficult as it may seem. With a few tools and some basic knowledge, most people can do it themselves. Here are the steps:
1. First, you will need to gather the necessary tools. You will need an adjustable wrench, sockets and ratchets in various sizes, a torque wrench, and a few other miscellaneous hand tools.
2. Next, you will need to remove the saddlebags if your bike has them.
This is so that you can have better access to the rear shocks.
3. Once the saddlebags are off, locate the rear shocks. There are two bolts on each side that hold them in place.
Use your socket and ratchet to remove these bolts (it is helpful to have someone help support the weight of the shock as you do this).
4. With the bolts removed, gently pull out the old shocks and set them aside (again, having someone help support their weight).
5Now take your new lowering kit shocks and line them up with the bolt holes on your bike frame.
How Does a Harley Softail Suspension Work?
Harley-Davidson’s Softail models are some of the most popular bikes on the road. But what makes them so special? Part of it has to do with the unique suspension system that gives these bikes a smooth ride.
Here’s a closer look at how the Harley Softail suspension works:
The key to the Softail’s smooth ride is its dual shock absorber system. This setup includes a set of springs and shocks mounted under the seat, as well as a set of shocks mounted at the rear wheel.
The combination of these two systems provides a more comfortable ride than traditional motorcycles, which often have just a single shock absorber.
TheSoftail’s rear shocks are adjustable, so you can dial in just the right amount of damping for your riding style. And if you’re carrying a passenger or extra weight, you can adjust them accordingly to keep everyone comfortable.
One final note about the Harley Softail suspension: it’s designed to give you a smoother ride, but it also provides plenty of ground clearance for when you want to take your bike off-road. So whether you’re cruising down the highway or exploring some backwoods trails, your Softail will be up for anything!
Harley Davidson soft tail lowering kit install
Best Softail Lowering Kit
A softail lowering kit is a great way to improve the look of your bike, and it can also improve the handling. There are a few things to consider when choosing a lowering kit, and we’ll go over those here.
First, you need to decide how much you want to lower your bike.
Softail bikes can be lowered up to 3 inches in the rear, and 1 inch in the front. If you’re not sure how much you want to lower your bike, it’s best to start with a small amount and then adjust as needed.
Next, you need to choose the right springs for your kit.
softer springs will give you a smoother ride, but they won’t provide as much support during cornering or hard braking. Stiffer springs will give you better performance during these situations, but they will make your ride less comfortable.
Finally, you need to choose the right shocks for your kit.
Shocks are responsible for absorbing bumps and keeping your wheels in contact with the ground. Softer shocks will give you a smoother ride, but they may not perform as well during hard riding conditions.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to lower your Softail, there are a few things you can do. You can adjust the shocks, replace the springs, or install a lowering kit. Adjusting the shocks is the easiest option, and it will give you the most control over how low your bike sits.
Replacing the springs is a more involved process, but it’s still relatively easy to do. If you want to go really low, though, you’ll need to install a lowering kit. This is a more complicated process, but it will get your bike sitting as low as you want it to.
