Lower Forks

Information on forks/springers/shocks
Post Reply
mcraeav
Inactive member
Member
Posts: 92
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:05 pm
Bikes: 1962 Panhead
Location: Austin, TX
Been thanked: 1 time

Lower Forks

#1

Post by mcraeav »

How would I lower the forks an inch or inch and a half on my 62 FLH? Just buy shorter springs?
Bosheff
Senior Member
Posts: 1270
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:23 pm
Bikes: 65 FLH 82 FLH
Location: Michigan
Been thanked: 60 times

Re: Lower Forks

#2

Post by Bosheff »

The springs are engineered to work with a certain length fork tube. It would seem to me shortening the springs is not going to be the answer unless you shorten the tubes a like amount. I may be wrong, but in the old days when you installed over stock length fork tubes you also had to install spacers to make up the difference.
RUBONE
Moderator
Senior Member
Posts: 8406
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
Has thanked: 481 times
Been thanked: 2956 times

Re: Lower Forks

#3

Post by RUBONE »

If only the springs are shortened the tube will then be an equal distance lower in the fork leg which will limit the available travel and affect the damping action. If you shorten the tubes and springs the spring rate will need to be stiffer to prevent excessive travel as you will effectively be reducing the travel by the amount shortened. You can also potentially run into clearance issues if you are running a front fender. If you want to do it go-for-it, just make sure you are aware of all the related issues.
Robbie
Post Reply

Return to “Forks/Shocks”