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[lchavez]

I went cheap and purchased Mid-USA Lowered Air Shocks on-line, cost me 159 incl. shipping.  I put them on and my wife and I went for a ride.  I should say also that I have a lowering kit on it as well.  So, the shocks are 12" and the lowering kit (+ the shocks) lowers the rear a full 2".  My problem is that when I run over a bump I can hear a rubbing sound.  It's brief, but definitely noticeable (It freaks my wife out).  They are air shocks, so I put some air in them, about 25 psi.  It seemed to help, but if the bump is large enough, bridge transitions or example, I'll be sure to hear it.  I've looked for marks on the tires, but cannot find any, so I haven't found what it might be quite yet.  So, my wife is 5'7" and 135 lbs. and I'm also 5'7" and 150 lbs., so combined we aren't tipping the bikes capacity by any means.

Has anyone purchased cheap lowered shocks and or have lowered their scoot and had it rub.  Maybe, someone can provide me where to look.  I am thinking I'll have to remove the rear tire to find what is causing the rubbing sound.

[GregKhougaz]

If after hearing the rubbing sound you don't see any marks, is likely that you are rubbing the contact patch of the tire.  That seems to be the only place where you would not see the rub marks.

[lchavez]

Thanks Greg.  I appreciate your input.  I don't believe there is anything on the underside of the rear fender with the exception of possibly the two bolts that hold the driver backrest bracket, at least that I can see without removing the rear tire.  On the sides (inside the fender), I do see fender strut nuts on each side, although they are mostly on the side of the fender and not on the underside.

Thanks again.

[GregKhougaz]

If you still can't see the "rub,"  have you considered raising the bike up and removing the rear shocks.  You can then manually raise and lower the tire on the bike and probably see where it may be hitting.  I realize you probably know this...  but just in case.        Good luck. 

GK

[Midnight Rider]

I'm not sure if the new bikes have this, but the older models had part of the wiring harness running along the top underside of the rear fender...OK, I just went out and verified that there is indeed a part of the wiring harness running under the fender on my '11 SERGU.  I can't get my arm far enough in there to feel the very top part of the fender, but I'd bet it's there.  Another member here rubbed that harness due to it coming loose and making contact with the rear tire.  I would bet your tire is rubbing on the wiring harness cover, and if so, you'll never see any mark on the tire because the harness cover is vinyl/plastic.  But, if you continue, you'll know it soon enough when things start to short out from rubbing the insulation off the wiring.

It is my opinion, and take it for whatever you deem it's worth, that one should NEVER lower the rear suspension to that extent, particularly with one of the aftermarket kits that move the placement of the rear shocks down below the stock mounting hole.  There is a finite amount of space for the swingarm to move in an upward direction.  Putting 12" shocks in the stock mounting holes is one thing, as you reduce the travel of the shock by 1", and the shock will bottom out before making contact with the fender, but when you move the lower mounting position below or behind/below the stock hole, you've screwed the pooch and are asking for problems.  Not to mention that you've changed the geometry of the bike's handling pretty dramatically.  And, for $159, you can't possibly have much of a shock, whether they are air or whatever.  You can probably pump them full of air and make them not bottom out, but the ride will likely suck big time.

If you are lowering the bike because you are vertically challenged, like me, I would suggest you look into other ways of doing so, but it ain't going to be $159 fix.  One option is a fully adjustable air ride suspension, like Legend Air, Arnott, etc.  Another is an aftermarket kit that lowers the seat height by replacing parts of the frame support for the seat (an even more expesive solution than adjustable air shocks).  I can drop the rear of my SERGU 3" when I need to do so for parking the bike, etc, but I NEVER ride with it lowered all the way down, even though the tire can't hit the fender because the shock won't allow it to do so...it'll bottom out first.  I have Legend Air Ride rear shocks...13" version.
Sometimes you get exactly what you pay for...with all due respect.

[Big Dog]

Knew a fellow once that put a 2" lowering kit on his Softail, soon found out he couldn't turn right without grinding his pipe into the pavement, no tight turns for him, his right turning radius was so big he needed two lanes to turn right, it soon was raised. . Hope your bike works out for you, make sure it's safe when you're all done. I put 13" Works Perf shocks on my 09 SERG and even with that change it's taken a bit to get used to compared to my lower 12" air shocks, it's dramatic how much effect change of centre of gravity does to these bikes. Another friend I know I posted on had the same bike as mine with an 1-1/2" lowered kit and you can find a picture of his totalled bike in the Rider Down section under Tale of Dragon claims buddy's bike. Going into left turn, caught floorboard bracket on high spot of road into a turn and away she went. Just make sure your bike is safe for you and your passenger, function wins over looks imo.

[lchavez]

I hear the both of you.  Function and safety over looks is a definite priority.  I would never intentionally put my passengers in danger.  My issue is my 30" inseam and for me to feel absolutely comfortable is to be able to plant both feet firmly on the ground.  My initial thought was to lower the bike's suspension, but I am now starting to rethink that.  I've been looking at "reach" or "low down" seats, which claim to place the rider 1" to 1 1/2" closer to the ground.
I know the newer touring '09 and newer bikes can be lowered through the backbone, but I'm not sure about mine.  Does anyone have any experience with seats that lower the rider?

Thanks for all your advice and experience.  Very much appreciated.

[Midnight Rider]

One of the great things about this site is that you can get opinions on something you've done, or are thinking about doing...whether you want them or not    Somebody has usually already tried or done it.

I have a 29" inseam (I'm old, and I'm gettting shorter by the year) and now ride a '11 SE Road Glide.  I also had a '06 SE Ultra Classic, which had the old frame.  Both bikes were/are too tall for me to comforatably put both feet flat on the ground in stock configuration, even though both have a seat height spec of less than 29" laden.  27.5" on the RG with 180lb rider on board...that is BS because the sag in the suspension is not 2" if the rear shocks are set to support the load while riding.  I've looked at this from all the angles I know about...putting the 1" lower suspension front and rear that HD offers, which uses the same crappy components that come stock on the bike-not quite low enough for me.  Looked briefly at the frame altering route-to do it right would be cost prohibitive for me, even doing the labor myself.  A GOOD seat is not inexpensive...the one that HD offers to get you lower is NOT a good seat for comfort, IMO.  So, I had basically two options left:  Put an air ride system on the rear of the bike that I know will drop the bike enough to let me feel relatively comfortable when manuevering the bike stopped or at very low speeds.  Even with that, my feet are not totally flat on the ground, and it's dropped 3" in the rear with the shocks bled down all the way, but they are on the ground firmly enough that I'm comfortable.  The other option, either in conjunction with the shocks, or by itself, was to get a lower seat.  The seat that I know is comfortable for me is a Corbin Dual Tour w/heat (approximately $1200, with backrest)...I had one on my '06, but not the lowered version.  The stock seat on that bike killed my a$$ after 100 miles, so had to be replaced anyway.  With the Legend Air shocks, that solved the problem on that bike.  So...when I got the SE Road Glide Ultra, I immediately knew I was going to have to do something to get lower.  Just for kicks, I had the dealer put the HD "Reach" seat on the bike...didn't help enough, and I could tell the seat was not good enough to hold up to touring miles.  The new seat on the '11 seems to be a decent seat, and so far, it is.  So, the first step, for me, was to put something on the bike that I know works...A fully adjustable on the fly, air ride suspension on the rear that does not compromise the function of the suspension...Legend Air Ride.  It ain't cheap.  A lower seat would help even more, but I'm not going there yet.  If I did, I'd do another Corbin Dual Tour w/heat.  I don't know what bike you have, but this place does mods to stock or aftermarket seats.  I have not used them, but others have been pleased with results.  I'm not sure you can get low enough with just the seat, but it's something to consider: http://www.meancitycycles.com/   This direction depends a lot on how comfortable the stock seat is for you.  Permanently lowering the bike's suspension is not an option I care to explore, but that's just me.

[lchavez]

I ride a 2000 SERG TNnBham.  There is another RG rider who works where I do who has the Corbin Touring seat, which I like and looks to be possibly the one.  Although, he tells me (according to Corbin as well) wont' fit the tour pak.  Apparently, it's too long.

I believe the route I will most likely go, once the funds are available will be the air ride suspension.  I intend on keeping the bike for as long as I can ride it, so putting the money into it won't be an issue, when it's available, that is.

[Midnight Rider]

I ride a 2000 SERG TNnBham.  There is another RG rider who works where I do who has the Corbin Touring seat, which I like and looks to be possibly the one.  Although, he tells me (according to Corbin as well) wont' fit the tour pak.  Apparently, it's too long.
I believe the route I will most likely go, once the funds are available will be the air ride suspension.  I intend on keeping the bike for as long as I can ride it, so putting the money into it won't be an issue, when it's available, that is.

When you get ready to order, contact Jim (hd-dude on this site)...he has a shop called Metal Dragon out in California and can help you get the seat made to fit the 2000 SERG.  He knows all things about HD's and CVO's, plus you get a discount.  Great guy too.  Great, classic bike, the 2000 SERG...a keeper, for sure.

I know exactly what you mean about the funding.  The disadvantage to this site is that we all love to help spend your money...