Lowering front end of T-Bird

[Jevangerman]

I am putting shorter shocks in back and understand from a post by Hemi that I need to lower the front end to keep the correct geometry. Is it a matter of loosening the top and bottom yoke clamps and sliding the forks up?

 

[CarlS]

You are correct. When I am messing with forks, I do one fork at a time.

 

[dazco]

Might want to consider this b4 u do that. The thunderbird is a great handling bike for a cruiser. But the peg clearance is very limiting, and when you do this you are going to seriously affect that clearance. I put shock on the back and withoput even lowering the front i lost a lot of clearance and had to slow way down in turns. I ended up going back to stock because of it. Doing both front and back you will lose a lot of lean angle. If you don't care then i get it, but just letting you know in case you do. To a lot of Tbird guys like myself the handling is a big part of the attraction and i was very disappointed that i chose shorter shocks.

 

[Jevangerman]

Thanks Dazco. You made me pause, but I am going to go ahead and try lowering the bike. I am vertically challenged and would like to lower the center of gravity. If it turns out to be a mistake for me, as it did for you, I will reverse the process.

 

[Jevangerman]

Thanks Dazco. You made me pause, but I am going to go ahead and try lowering the bike. I am vertically challenged and would like to lower the center of gravity. If it turns out to be a mistake for me, as it did for you, I will reverse the process.

I put a set of Progressive Suspension 11" 412 Cruiser shocks on my T'Bird. I lowered the front end to keep the geometry the same, however, to keep it exactly the same I had to lower it too much, as Dazco suggested. I picked it back up some because it was too low and not enough travel left. It is now lower than original. It handles great and I really like the new lower center of gravity. I built my own lift, which works great for front and rear and puts no stress on the sump or anything else down below. Thanks to all who gave me their input. Nothing replaces experience.

 

[dearborn]

Try lowering the seat first. An inch or so of foam can easily be removed by any decent trim shop, thus lowering YOU and maintaining ground clearance, (already limited on this bike).