lowering 1996 fxdwg - Harley Forum

wideglidebill · #1 10-06-2008, 05:32 PM

hey all,

I am new to the harley world with my purchase of a 1996 FXDWG. The bike is in really good shape with low mileage...11,000 miles.That being said...I am a little short in the inseam (read lot) and i am looking for suggestions on lowering bike. I am at this time looking at a set of air shocks advertised in Jireh for $109.00 and am wondering what every ones take on these are. I am 5' 4 1/2" and weigh in at about 220 and often ride two up with better half. will these air shocks give a decent ride? better than stock? as is with most, i don't have a lot of money to spend and thought these adjustable air shocks might do the trick. any thoughts or suggestions. These are fl style air shocks I believe. thanks for your help!!!

Wideglidebill.

Chris L · #2 10-13-2008, 01:50 PM

Hi there Bill, I got a 97 WG too, dunno if I can answer your question tho, theres a couple ways to lower your bike, shorter shocks being the first,if like mine yours are 12 1/2 inches CtoC you could get some 11 1/2 inch maybe 11s but make sure you got good tyre clearance under the rear mudguard,dont wanna be scuffing your wireing. or..Whites do a lowering kit which slants the bottom of your shox back a inch or so,I have a mate who uses these and hes pleased enough with them,Maybe someone else will come up with some other ideas for you as well.

wideglidebill · #3 10-13-2008, 05:36 PM

thnx for replying chris, i have looked at a lot of different ways to lower this bike and i am worried about clearence, when i ride two up in the mtns and when cornering i already scrape the exhaust

so i gotta be real careful, do you know anything about the fl style air shox? i found a relitiveley cheap set in the jireh catalog for 109.00$ and am wondering how these would look and feel on my bike. what do you think?

wgb,

mediaguy · #4 12-22-2008, 02:11 AM

Dyna's have a pretty high "lever ratio". In other words for each inch of shock travel, your rear wheel will travel 1.5". High lever ratios require higher spring rates and higher damping to control things. A Sportster or FL shock does not have the correct damping for a Dyna. And if you ride two up lowering your bike with a shorter shock also gives away travel. For Dyna's I always recommended no shorter than 1" for the 1.5" drop and still have enought travel to prevent bottoming out. My experience came from working at Progressive Suspension for over 20 years.

Likemlouder · #5 01-28-2009, 01:00 AM

i have a 07 wideglide and i went with the 1 inch lowering blocks. and so far i have not had any problems. even with 2 up riding my stock shocks work fine. i have the shocks you are talking about i think. on my sportster made by ultima. brand new one of them leaks down. you can click the link in my signature. and see if they look the same. hope this helps

aceharleywrench · #6 02-10-2009, 08:51 AM

I would suggest going with a lower set of shocks designed for your bike (progressive suspension,works performance,etc...) and installing a front lowering kit as well so you dont disrupt the handling characteristics.As far as the 109.00 dollar shocks go,just remember,you get what you pay for.