Triumphrat

06-24-2004

Hi folks. Made the decision to buy a Boyer for a 64 Bonneville chopper, so now I want to lower the back end. It's a softtail, and I want a rigid but need the money for the bolt-on. So, I was wondering if there's any way I could just lower it down a little bit. The shocks are all the way up, and I've got no problem with feelin the road. I'm 5'10 and 152, so I'm no heavyweight. I may ride 2-up a little bit when it first starts running, but other than that, I'm single. Can I just lower the preload on the shocks, and have to be satisfied? Or is there a way I can, without cutting anything, lower it more? Thanks, Kyle

Will · 06-24-2004

If you just take the preload out of the shocks, you will lower it a bit, but you will also make it wallow like a pig. That is not such a great idea. Since you ride in the dirt a lot, you are used to setting up your suspension depending on what kind of riding you are about to do, so it may not be as much of an issue. I suppose you could also substitute some kind of rigid strut for the shock absorbers and fabricate the struts to be the length you want. I don't know anything about doing that and don't know anyone who has done it, so there isn't much else I can suggest about that. Good luck with it.

gararnett · 06-24-2004

I've seen the solid strut done on many hardleys. All you do is get some suitable flat iron, cut to length, and drill holes. Paint it and slap 'em on. If I were going to do it, I'd get some thick flat iron (1/4inch or better), so I wouldn't have to worry about a failure. You can also make them from tubular steel where you cut to length, then take a small piece of the tube cut off and weld it to each end 90degrees angle for mounting holes. Gotta make sure the welds are good and solid. If it were me, I'd go flat iron, easier, cheaper and no special work needed (hack saw and a drill with suitable bit will do it).

06-24-2004

I thought about the solid strut idea. I really want the feel of a rigid, but like I said, can't buy one yet. I was going to use tube, then just press one end flat and drill through it. But the flat iron does sound alot more sensible. I'd be able to put the tire pretty close the the fender with that setup, too. I thought about the suspension acting terrible if it was too soft, but it's too hard for my body right now anyway. But I really do like the flat iron idea. does anyone have any pics of a setup like this, or know a person who's got the pics? I'd like to see how it looks, but it's not that big of a deal. Thanks, Kyle