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[Midnight Rider]

Since I'm only 5'8", I can touch the ground fine, but not flat footed.  These bikes are not the easiest things in the world to "walk" and hold up when parking, etc because of all the weight above the seat.  [smiley=nervous.gif] I am thinking it would be better/safer if my bike was a bit lower for me.  I would love the Legend system, but I can't put that kind of money in rear shocks at this point in time.

Would the Progressive 440's made for the SEEG's (I think they are 11" shocks, instead of 12") work on the 06?  I've heard good things about these shocks (standard, not Heavy Duty).  Then I guess I would need to do the front forks with the Harley lowering kit?  Or are there better alternatives?  How difficult is it to do the forks myself, as I don't trust the dealers around here to do much of anything to my bike.  If I do this to the forks, recommendations on fork oil?

Any thoughts/recommendations on this subject would be appreciated, and do you think lowering an inch would be a significant enough difference for me to warrant the trouble/expense? [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[mr_magoo]

The shocks would work on your CUSE I put 11 1/2in heavy duty 440 on my SEEG.  As far as the front the lowering kit would work as well.  Ever thought of having your seat reworked so as to sit you lower.  I don't like the ride of a lowered bike. JMHO

[hdhiwayman]

My being 5'9" I've considered the same adjustments. And I think I'll lower the rear first with the 11" shocks, and see how things feel. I'm a little reluctant about lowering the front mainly because of ride quality. I've read on other posts where people have gone bach to stock height on the front because of a "choppy" ride. As far as the work of changing the springs, If your inclined to do your own work and have a decent tooled garage and a service manual, its not that bad. but it is a job. As far as the oil goes I'm not sure if there is any difference. Maybe someone else here can elaborate.

[grc]

Since I'm only 5'8", I can touch the ground fine, but not flat footed.

[hd-dude]

Another option to changing your shocks is a lowering kit for the rear. Burly products (http://www.burlybrand.com/lowering.html) makes lowering blocks that you install on the swingarm that move your shock mount points back and down which yields about 1.25" lower ride height. They run about $120.00. I have installed these on several bikes and they work very well.

[VAZHOG]

Have you checked your air pressure in your rear shocks? Let some air out it might be cheaper than any other option. The SE Ultra is lower than the Regular Ultra at least mine is.

[Midnight Rider]

Thanks for the feedback...I'm a little reluctant to lower just the rear because wouldn't that change the steering geometry a bit?  Would that adversely effect the feel of the bike?...I have a couple of issues going on here, so know I'm either going to have to live with it or come to some compromise in my head.  I reallly like the way the bike handles now, other than the suspension being a little sloppy, but hell, it's a Glide, not a Ducati.  I do like the ground clearance, and the bike is really quite agile, and gives good feedback when pushing it in the corners.  But walking it around, even with just me on it, is not easy...I make Suzanne get off before I start moving it around with my feet.

I guess the Legends would be the ultimate solution to this little problem, but geez, that's a lot of money....if I paid that kind of money for suspension, I would really expect them to be vastly superior to what's on the bike currently. Any of you experienced the Legends on an SE Ultra?  Lowering the seat has also crossed my mind, but I don't know anyone around here to do something like that...I like the look of the stock seat, and the seat warmers, so don't want to go with an aftermarket that's going to change all that up a great deal, but if they could rework what I have, I might be willing to ship it off and have it done.  The comfort level of the stock seat is probably going to become an issue for me anyway, as I've noticed a bit of "monkey butt" on those 400+ mile days, and I'm just gettin' started on some distance traveling.

This advice is helping me though, and hearing from those who have the same kind of issues, or know someone who does, lets me come to a workable solution.

This place is different, believe me...I've been on a VROD forum to try and learn something...it is NOTHING like being here. Over there is a bunch of wise a$$es , and others who don't know their butt from a hole in the ground  

[VaEagle]

Hey TCnBham,
Also the others who have shorter inseams. Why not consider going to a good shoe shop and see if they can add a thicker sole and heel to your riding boots?
No I'm not talking stilleto heels or "Kiss Boots" unless that is your thing.
You are talking about spending hundreds of dollars to lower the bike one inch and loose ground clearance or room for the suspension to work. Why not save many dollars and look at taller boots?
The seat mod may work by taking it to a car upholstrey shop an see if they can remove some of the foam and replace it with a denser yet thinner foam. This way you don't loose the heat or look of the stock seat. If you want a truly custom seat made for your size,weight and riding position consider the Russell day-long seat. I think someone on this site has doner it to their 2006 Ultra.http://www.day-long.com/index.htm

[CLKKELLEY]

I am only 5' 8 1/2" tall and wear a SHORT 30" inseam jean pant-leg length, and I can FLAT-FOOT THE GROUND on my new '07 FLHTCUSE2 JESTER!?!?!?

[Midnight Rider]

I am only 5' 8 1/2" tall and wear a SHORT 30" inseam jean pant-leg length, and I can FLAT-FOOT THE GROUND on my new '07 FLHTCUSE2 JESTER!?!?!?

Guess we're just built different...a jean actually fits me better in a 29, but I can't ever find them.  I can flat foot if I stretch, but there is no margin for error, and would have more leverage with a little more distance between my a$$ and the seat when I'm walking it backwards, or in situations where the road is falling away from you on one side or the other.

I don't know if you've had yours get over a bit too far yet, but it is not a good feeling, because you are simply not going to hold up 875 lbs worth of bike, and that's with no cargo.

I'm checking with a local upholstry shop to see what, if anything they can do with the seat, 'cause it needs a little tweaking anyway.

[Eqcons]

I am only 5' 8 1/2" tall and wear a SHORT 30" inseam jean pant-leg length, and I can FLAT-FOOT THE GROUND on my new '07 FLHTCUSE2 JESTER!?!?!?

Yup, I'm 5' 5

[SE_ULTRA]

Yup, I'm 5' 5

[Eqcons]

ummm.....do you have ANY air in your rear shocks? I'm 5'8" and am ordering the Legend system (now that they have chrome controls) just so I can lower it when needed, gravel lots, uneven parking, and the dreaded backing up hill!

Yup, I run the rear at 25psi (not that the air alters the height)  

Jim

[Midnight Rider]

ummm.....do you have ANY air in your rear shocks? I'm 5'8" and am ordering the Legend system (now that they have chrome controls) just so I can lower it when needed, gravel lots, uneven parking, and the dreaded backing up hill!

That's ultimately the best solution...for those difficult places that you mention, it would be nice to slam it down 3 inches and get some leverage.  Maybe we could talk them into a group buy?

[cvTony]

Thanks for the feedback...I'm a little reluctant to lower just the rear because [highlight]wouldn't that change the steering geometry [/highlight]a bit?