Its interesting, the more I read, the more I am finding things I want to do to the bike, and then finding out that quite a few of you are doing them right now, as I am wanting to do.

(for the record, I am very mechanically inclined, just have never taken apart the Roadie yet to see how she works)

So I have been searching "LOWERING" a Road Star. I can find people discussing different ways, aftermarket, to modification of current parts, there are adjustable arms, solid links, Barons, PCS.......I get that. And I get how they work...BUT...what is better? What are the pros and cons to the different styles? Side-by-side comparison, what is preferred? each time I research, I think "this one" and then I rad where it sucks, and to do "that one"....

I plan to drop it the standard "roughly" 2". I plan to solo-seat it, so 2-up isn't a "huge" concern. I have toyed with air...I would love to but may be just out of budget for now, unless anyone knows a $500 setup

Anyway, just wanting a one stop place for LOWERING the bike, from all of you that have done it, and used the different methods. Thanks in advance...and if there is already a thread for this, link it, adn I will shut up, but I was searching and couldn't find one really.

I haven't lowered mine but if I was going to I would do the 'flip' that's described in the tech article. The Flip It's free and gives you around 3". And if I were going to lower it, I would also fit a Progressive or Baron's spring. But, again, it's just what I would do. Good luck!

Replacing the dog bones is the best .... it most closely mimics the stock setup.

Doc

I changed the dog bones and put in the Progresssive spring, both from PCS. I highly recommend it with just one proviso. I had occasional issues with grinding and bottoming when riding two up. Riding solo it was great. Makes the Roadie really sit right, fender actually sits right in relationship to the rear tire.
I'm not real big on grinding anything to do with the suspension so I chose not to do the flip. to each their own but thats my two cents worth.

Now, if you really want to lower your bike, shoot me a PM...

Cons: Obviously, hydraulics are a little more involved.
Pros: Chicks really dig it...

Rich

1. Ups for the Buffett line
2. How big a ole boy are ya? Cause it does matter especially with the flip and grind. I'm 260ish and with me and the co-pilot on there we constantly bottomed out (with the progressive spring installed)
3. Myself- I'm looking into an air-ride to take care of it.

I did the flip & grind, because it didn't cost anything and if I didn't like it I wasn't out any bucks. It dropped my bike 1.75 inches. I'm about 170 lbs and once I learned I can no longer slam her into the turns, it's not too bad. But you WILL scrape at times. I'm currently using the stock spring but an upgrade is on the list. I'll tell ya, after you drop the back, cruising on the highway it will feel like it is on rails!

Paul

fireman922 wrote:
I'll tell ya, after you drop the back, cruising on the highway it will feel like it is on rails!
Paul

Looks cooler, too...

I went with adjustable dogbones, I ride two up once in a while and its easy to adjust to any hight...

I installed a 420 Series Progressive Shock with spring recently. When I did, I did the flip and grind -- a lot of grinding!!

It dropped too much for me and I reversed the flip.

With the 420 it sits a little lower (1"+) and I can adjust it with the preload on the spring if I want.