Dark side Question

[captsharky]

OK,
I need to lower the rear of my Interstate, I have been reading that a CT will lower the rear end an inch? Which tire can I use that I will not give up too much handling, and I will not have to do the nut cage mod?
TIA

[Jess from VA]

A 55 instead of a 60 will lower you a couple millimeters (not one inch), but you still need to remove the nut cages.......... maybe not for your bike, but removing them is easy and the better bet with any car tire.

If you need an inch, get 12" rear shocks. (If your shocks are original OE, they probably sag a bit now, and new 12" shocks may not give you a full inch, but very close.

[Warlock]

OK,
I need to lower the rear of my Interstate, I have been reading that a CT will lower the rear end an inch? Which tire can I use that I will not give up too much handling, and I will not have to do the nut cage mod?
TIA

A 195/55/16 helps.A 195 isn't as wide as the 205 and handling would be better. Bridgestone G015 has a 195/55/16 and also a very good tire.  Also a little costly but progressive 440's in a 12" and maybe slipping the front forks 3/4" max will also help.
David

[captsharky]

Thanks,
I did a search on lowing the Interstate, and the CT was one of the options suggested and said it would offer about an inch. Yes 11.5 shocks would do the job, but as said costly. TankPost 142 just offered me a set of brand new 11.5 air shocks off a HD he picked up somewhere. I may take him up one the offer. Doing the searching and reading. Funny how much differance there is between my 98 Std and the Interstate. I am somewhere between a 30 and 32 ince inseam, and have a hard time getting flat footed on the Interstate. I like the Std better for fit, but the wife likes the ride on the Interstate better.

[Paxton]

I am 5'6" short; 29" inseam. I installed 11.5" Progressives ($250 on eBay).
I also installed a c/t 205/65/16 NEXEN N5000 - $89 bucks. I love the set up!
Both my feet are planted on the ground and it lowers the center of gravity... noticeably better handling.
That's all I had to do. 

I read somewhere that if you install a 205/55/16, you would not have to do the nut-cage mod.
However, I would still do the mod. Who is to say that under heavy loads the 55 tire
would not rub against the nut cages?

Some might disagree, but in my experience, with the taller tire (65) your RPM @75 MPH would be 3250 instead of 3500.
With the 60, no change in RPM's; with the 55 @75 MPH the RPM would be 3750. 

Personally, I would do the nut-cage mod (very easy) and mount the taller tire... 60 or 65...
It's YOUR bike, YOUR decision. 

Here are some "before and after" photos of my 2000 Standard:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103917731019176896112/SHEDRAGONFLY?authkey=Gv1sRgCODNo622qI7UHQ

"If you have no intention of loving or being loved by your Valkyrie,
then the whole journey is pointless."

[PhredValk]

No offence, but why just the rear of the bike? What are you trying to achieve? With more info we may be able to help you better.
Fred.

[mikeb]

i put a 195/55/16 on my is that my 5'.0" wife rides anf it raised the rpms 200 and lowered the bike 1.5 inch ...done that she pulls the trailer too 

[Mildew]

Never had to do a nut cage with a 205/60 or 55. 1 up or 2 up

[captsharky]

No offence, but why just the rear of the bike? What are you trying to achieve? With more info we may be able to help you better.
Fred.

There is not much question about what to do with the front. I tryed to read all the post on lowering the IS, and the CT was my only question. Looking at a Pair of HD air shocks 11.5 and may try that out. Then slip the front.
Thanks.

[John Schmidt]

Hey Shark, I'm about the same re. inseam....right at 30" and I mounted a 205/60 in back with 12" shocks(412 Progressive). Plus, I have the Ultimate King seat. Never touched the front though and I can flat foot it easily. I did have to do the nut cage and also did the fender washer mod, not all bikes will require it...mine did. With that setup I have no handling trouble whatsoever. My suggestion would be to make one change at a time and see how it works out. I did the shocks first, worked great for me but I wanted the c/t so mounted that. Found I now had rubbing(due to shorter shocks mostly) so did the two mods and all's well in Camelot. 

[Ricky-D]

You have to keep in mind that employing shorter rear shock absorbers will put the tire closer to the inside of the fender.

If instead you mount a tire that has a lesser diameter you can somewhat achieve the like aim of the seat being closer to the ground but without sacrificing the ride-ability of the rear end.

A last point is that if you employ a shorter rear shock absorber it necessarily will be a stiffly sprung short throw shock absorber due to the reason of the tire being closer to the fender.

***

[Momz]

Why not put CTs front and rear?
Wouldn't that really lower the bike?
Or would that cause an instantaneous "Flaming Death"?

It sure would get the attention of them HD riders.