 Lowering Springs & Shocks
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I had thought about putting Progressive's lowering front springs and rear shocks on my Speedmaster. I'm 5' 10"ish and around 160#. Is the lowering 'package' going to work at all 'two-upping'?
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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The lowering kit may work fine for you, but I am heavier - well, I'm FAT. I lower the rear end of my bike for a while with shocks from a Honda 750 Aero. It dropped the rear end about an inch (25mm). I drug a lot of chrome off the long pipes, especially when riding two up. I am 5'10" also and don't have a problem at all with the stock length Progressives. I got the front springs and rear shocks (412) from PhatPerformance for $256.00 complete with shipping.
Ride Safe,
Dennis
Triumph, it's how I live and what I ride.
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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I also have long pipes. The shop guy at Baxter's told me that a chick in Omaha lowered here bike so she could tough ground and she was dragging her pipes everywhere. I'm not sure how low she went. If I remember right, it was 2" or 3"
What about bottoming out? I've heard of that too on lowered bikes.
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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I have heard others have lowered their rear ends with not too much trouble but personally the way I see it, if you do lower it will have to mean stiffer springs to compensate otherwise you will bottom out that way, Also, If the stiffer springs doesn't bother you having a harsher ride, then I would think that riding with a lower bike would have to increase your chances of scraping just because of where our pipes are on our bikes and how easy it is to scrape if you haven't dialed in the right pre-load. Believe me I know. I'm happy for anyone to tell me I'm incorrect here cos you do need to have all the facts before heading in that direction. Good luck 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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How about leaning through the turns? Would I scrape the pipes leaning with the bike lowered? I'm not sure how close I am now, but the like to really lean that sucker!
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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I have progressive 412's lowered 1 inch with Bub pipes and rarely scrape them.
I weigh in around 210lbs and bottom out occasionally riding solo, and bottom out LOTS when riding 2-up.
Cheers!
Ceuls
'07 SM - Ellipse Mirrors, Progressive 412's, Freak, Bub Exhaust, AI Removed, Summer Screen, Low-Pro Saddle
Happy Trails!
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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What about the rear tire rubbing the inside of the fender? Will lowering the rear 1 or 2 inches make that possible, solo or 2-up?
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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I just had that problem with Wendys bike. The stock Bridgestone was fine but I put a new IRC Wild Flare in it and it rubbed. I lowered her bike 2". I still have to find a tire with the right profile so it won't rub. Either that or wear them down some on my bike then put it on hers and put a new one on mine and keep going with that cycle. When going 2" the chain guard will hit the frame and the chain will hit part of the Freak bracket or maybe the air box. The chain guard I just cut the front of it back and it's fine and I bent the tab on the Freak bracket out of the way. You may not have these problems if you have less travel but her bike has full travel in her shocks.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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What part of the tire rubbed? The sidewalls or the tread? Also, did it rub all the time or just when she hit bigger bumps?
I was going to do the Progressive lowering front springs and I thought I saw someone selling Progressive 2" drop rear shocks, which is what I would want to run. I think!?!
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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The tread rubbed but only with weight on it. It felt like the breaks were on when riding. Didn't notice it when I would first pull out but a couple yards and it would start to drag. I tried everything along the road, I thought it was a break problem. We rode it back home and there I was able to pull the wheel then we saw where it had been rubbing, rubbed the paint off. Maybe if you use stiffer springs or have less travel it would be fine.It was fine for the last 8,000+ miles. The problem was with putting the new tire on it must have a slightly higher profile than the stock tire.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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I have the stock Metzler's on it now. If I keep doing burnouts, then about half way through this year I'll be installing some Avon Vemons front and rear. 
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 85
Member
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Quote:
I just had that problem with Wendys bike. The stock Bridgestone was fine but I put a new IRC Wild Flare in it and it rubbed. I lowered her bike 2". I still have to find a tire with the right profile so it won't rub. Either that or wear them down some on my bike then put it on hers and put a new one on mine and keep going with that cycle. When going 2" the chain guard will hit the frame and the chain will hit part of the Freak bracket or maybe the air box. The chain guard I just cut the front of it back and it's fine and I bent the tab on the Freak bracket out of the way. You may not have these problems if you have less travel but her bike has full travel in her shocks.
Have th same prob with th lower 412's when swappin out from th Bridgestone to a Dunlop...Bridgestone was gr8, but th Dunlop rubs on th tread over bumps...PITA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I have just lowered my rear shocks to 11" (280mm)with the standard Metz tyre. I have had the shock modified for me so that they only have 40mm of travel, (to avoid cutting the chainguard)however I'm still using 20kg/cm springs (stock rating)I weigh about 209lbs and I haven't bottomed them yet (Approx. 2" clearance nett)... It's a nice smooth forgiving ride and thats just how i like it with my seat so minimal... I could probably use 22kg/cm springs and it still feel comfortable but don't want to go too hard on rear as fronts are still standard..
Mike.
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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Have you tried two-upping with that setup?
Justin Calkins - Iowa Falls, Iowa USA
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Re: Lowering Springs & Shocks
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no not yet... Kirsty (mrs) has her own Goo5e now and in the time I've had the sm I had 1 pillion once... I think from the feel of the shocks in all fairness 2 up riding would probably require 28/30's but then the damping would be out... If I gotta take 2 up now I would consider putting standards back on for the sake of 1/2 hours work...
Mike.
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