Lowering a Sportster.| Motorcycles and Bicycles forum |

914Driver SuperDork
6/8/10 3:04 p.m.

My wife's girlfriend has an 883 Sportster that she tippy toes on. She's dropped it a few times and has real trouble standing it back up.

She tells me the Dealer lowered it as much as possible but how does a stock Sporty differ from a Sporty Hugger? Can lower shocks than the ones the Stealership put on be applied? Can you use those shock location flippers? How about cutting up the seat?

The girl is willing to swap this bike even for a 450 Rebel.

Now I'm not one to take advantage of a redhead with large breastes just because she's my wife's friend, and God forbid I should go out and buy a Rebel just to beat an 883 out of an unsuspecting female; my standards are so much higher than that.

Especially if you guys can help me with an answer.....

Thanx, Dan

RealMiniDriver Dork
6/8/10 4:21 p.m.

Progressive Suspension

Reach Solo Seat

914Driver said:my standards are so much higher than that

Which standards? Taking advantage of an unsuspecting female or well endowed redheads?

Personally, I like redheads. Bonus points for large breasteses.

914Driver SuperDork
6/8/10 6:13 p.m.

RealMiniDriver wrote: Progressive Suspension Reach Solo Seat
914Driver said:my standards are so much higher than that
Which standards? Taking advantage of an unsuspecting female or well endowed redheads? Personally, I like redheads. Bonus points for large breasteses.

Yes.

Woody SuperDork
6/8/10 7:22 p.m.

We're going to need photos of this redhead.

914Driver SuperDork
6/9/10 5:43 a.m.

Woody wrote: We're going to need photos of this redhead.

...and that's gonna help me lower the bike how??

44Dwarf HalfDork
6/9/10 6:36 a.m.

Depends on the angle of the photo....

foxtrapper SuperDork
6/9/10 9:23 a.m.

Out back, cheap lowering bracket for the rear shock, or a shorter shock.

Up front, slip the fork tubes up in the clamps.

In the middle, put a shorter kickstand.

All parts can be found on ebay. As well other locations.

Woody SuperDork
6/9/10 9:26 a.m.

914Driver wrote:
Woody wrote: We're going to need photos of this redhead.
...and that's gonna help me lower the bike how??

Motivation.

4cylndrfury SuperDork
6/9/10 9:42 a.m.

914Driver wrote:
Woody wrote: We're going to need photos of this redhead.
...and that's gonna help me lower the bike how??

I lost track after I heard about this redhead...what bike are we talking about again?

Dr. Hess SuperDork
6/9/10 10:12 a.m.

My wife has a 1987 883 Hugger. They lowered it versus the regular 883 by moving the shock mount on the swingarm back.

FT's suggestions will get the bike lower, especially for the back. Also, the seat has a lot of excess foam. I bought a OEM seat on eBay (so I wouldn't screw up the original). I removed the cover, then took a DA sander to the foam until I removed maybe 3/4", then put the cover back on. That helped a lot with zero comfort changes.

914Driver SuperDork
6/9/10 10:26 a.m.

I contacted a local H-D dealer, they have access to lower shocks and a lower seat, but I have to know the year and model. I haven't seen this girl's bike so can't address how to lower it. I know you can throw more money at it.

Is a Hugger made lower by shorter shocks or by relocating the shocks? If she has short shocks I may be able to get away with the relocators.

Dan

Woody SuperDork
6/9/10 10:38 a.m.

Huggers also have shorter rear springs.

Hugger:

Not Hugger:

96DXCivic Dork
6/9/10 11:08 a.m.

I still see no pictures of this redhead.

914Driver SuperDork
6/9/10 11:21 a.m.

That's OK, all I see are red Xs in a box.

townsend7 New Reader
6/9/10 12:28 p.m.

Modified seat, raise the forks in the triple clamps, shorter shocks. Eventually it won't go any lower. If she needs longer legs I suggest stripper boots with huge heels and platforms.

+1 for pic requests

Dr. Hess SuperDork
6/9/10 2:28 p.m.

Here's a '87 Hugger: You can see that the shock attaches behind the axle.