®

Fork Lowering Kit

Installation Instruction

Warning: All work must be performed by a qualified me-

chanic or according to steps outlined in an authorized Figure 1
service manual. Installing lowering kit will decrease ini-
tial ground clearance. The motorcycle will be lower to
the ground and care should be taken to avoid bottom-
ing, especially over bumps or turns. To maintain proper
balanced geometry, we recommend lowering the motor-
cycle in the rear the same amount as the front (see the
Cruiser application chart).
Fork Lowering Kit Supplement
The installation of a fork lowering kit does not effect
the compressed length of the fork. However, we have
found that some motorcycles may not have adequate
clearance between the fender, fairing and/or accesso-
ries. Therefore, we recommend that this be checked
and if there is not adequate clearance, the interfering
parts be removed or modified to eliminate the situation.
After installation of new lowering springs onto the
damper rod, we recommend that the forks be installed
on the motorcycle complete with wheel/fender, but
without the main springs and completely bottomed out.
This is done to check clearance between the fender and
fairing/crashbar/accessories, etc.
Typical Fork Design
Never attempt to remove the fork cap nut without first placing a
quality jack or sufficient blocks under the motorcycle to securely Figure 2
lift the front wheel off the ground. Failure to do so could result
in damage and/or serious injury!
1. Remove and disassemble forks (including removal
of damper rod) according to steps outlined in an
authorized service manual for your particular make, 3. To achieve a two inch (2") lowered height, leave the
model and year motorcycle (see figure 1 for refer- stock top out spring on the damper rod and install
ence). two Progressive Suspension top out springs on the
damper rod with the stock top out spring (see fig-
2. To achieve a one inch (1") lowered height, leave ure 3).
the stock top out spring on the damper rod and in-
stall one Progressive Suspension lowering spring on Figure 3
the damper rod with the stock top out spring (see
figure 2). Proceed to step 4.
4. Reinstall damper rods into forks per shop manual. 7. Fine Tuning
A. Add the proper amount of fork oil as recom- Pre-load: Spacer length can be decreased to lower the
mended in your shop manual. Make sure the ride height and soften the ride or increased to raise the
viscosity is the recommended weight. ride height and firm up the ride. Adjust in 1/4" incre-
B. Install your Progressive Suspension fork springs ments.
with the close wound end up. Fork Oil: Unless otherwise noted we recommend the
C. Look on the spacer length chart under the stock oil viscosity and level. Oil viscosity can be changed
amount you shortened your fork (1" or 2") to to alter damping. Heavier oil will increase damping.
find the correct spacer length. The spacer pro- Lighter oil will decrease damping. Change in five weight
vided may need to be cut to the specified increments (i.e. from 10 weight to 15 weight). Oil viscos-
length. ity will have more effect on rebound damping than
compression damping. Too high of viscosity can create
D. Install the enclosed washers on top of the Pro- harshness on sharp edge bumps. The oil level also af-
gressive fork springs and the correct length fects the ride. Too high an oil level and the forks will
white PVC spacers. feel too stiff, too low and the bike will bottom out, feel
E. Install your fork caps and reinstall your forks on too soft and tend to dive.
your motorcycle according to the shop manual. Air Pressure: Progressive Suspension recommends a
5. Test ride motorcycle at reduced speeds to develop a starting point of zero air pressure. Add air to suit your
“feel” for how the motorcycle handles due to the particular riding requirements. However excessive air
different geometry due to the lowered suspension. pressure can cause seal “sticktion” which contributes to
a harsh ride on small bumps and freeway expansion
6. Fork braces: We have found numerous cases of
joints and also reduces seal life.
binding forks due to improperly mounted fork
braces. Our experience has led us to conclude that
even the slightest misalignment while installing the
fork brace will cause the forks to bind. If, after in-
stalling the springs, a harshness exists (especially on
small bumps and freeway expansion joints) remove
the fork brace and ride the bike again over the
same route. If harshness has disappeared, refer to
the fork brace installation instructions for proper
and concise installation to eliminate the misalign-
ment. If harshness still exists, your front end
(wheel/forks) may be misaligned. Consult your
shop manual for proper wheel and fork alignment
instructions.
 ® ®

Harley Davidson Fork Lowering Kit

Installation Instruction
C. Cut the supplied white PVC tubing to the specified length
Warning: All work must be performed by a qualified shown on the pre-load diagrams. Make sure to find the correct
mechanic or according to steps outlined in an authorized diagram for your particular fork. NOTE: If lowered 2” some
service manual. Installing lowering kit will decrease initial models may not need spacers to achieve the proper preload.
ground clearance. The motorcycle will be lower to the ground
and care should be taken to avoid bottoming, especially over
Figure 1
bumps or turns. To maintain proper balanced geometry, we
recommend lowering the motorcycle in the rear the same
amount as the front (see Harley Davidson application chart).

Fork Lowering Kit Supplement

The installation of a fork lowering kit does not affect the
compressed length of the fork. However, we have found that
some motorcycles may not have adequate clearance
between the fender, fairing and/or accessories. Therefore,
we recommend that this be checked and if there is not
adequate clearance, the interfering parts be removed or
modified to eliminate the situation. After installation of new
top out springs onto the damper rod, we recommend that
the forks be installed on the motorcycle complete with
wheel/fender, but without the main springs and completely
bottomed out. This is done to check clearance between the
fender and fairing/crash-bar/accessories, etc.

Never attempt to remove the fork cap or nut without placing a

quality jack or sufficient blocks under the motorcycle to
securely lift the front wheel off the ground. Failure to do so
could result in damage and/or serious injury

1. Remove and disassemble forks (including removal of

damper rod) according to steps outlined in an authorized
service manual for your particular model and year Harley
Davidson (see figure 1 for reference).

2. To achieve a one inch (1") lowered height, leave the stock

top out spring on the damper rod and install one Progressive
Suspension top out spring on the damper rod with the stock
top out spring (see figure 2). Proceed to step 4. Typical Fork Design

3. To achieve a two inch (2") lowered height, leave the stock

top out spring on the damper rod and install two Progressive Figure 2
Stock Progressive Suspension
Suspension top out springs on the damper rod with the stock Top Out Spring Top Out Spring
top out spring (see figure 3).

4. Reinstall damper rods into forks per shop manual.

A. Add the proper amount of fork oil as recommended in your

shop manual. Make sure the viscosity is the recommended Stock
Two Figure 3
Progressive Suspension
Top Out Spring
weight. Top Out Springs

B. Install your Progressive Suspension fork springs with the

close wound end up.
Using the proper diagram, cut to the shorter length shown Air Pressure: Progressive Suspension recommends a
for lighter riders or a softer ride. Cut to the longer length for starting point of zero air pressure. Add air to suit your
heavier riders or a firmer ride. (Also see “Fine Tuning”, particular riding requirements. However excessive air
Section 7) pressure can cause seal “sticktion” which contributes to a
harsh ride on small bumps and freeway expansion joints and
Install cut PVC spacers and washers in the correct position also reduces seal life.
shown.

D. Install your fork caps and reinstall your forks on your

Harley according to the shop manual.

5.Test ride motorcycle at reduced speeds to develop a “feel”

for how the motorcycle handles due to the different geometry 39 mm Fork Tube
Fork Cap
due to the lowered suspension. "Midglide"
87-94 FXLR
6. Fork braces
88-94 FXR/FXRS
We have found numerous cases of binding forks due to
improperly mounted fork braces. Our experience has led us 87-94 FXR-SP/Con. 0" to ½"

to conclude that even the slightest misalignment while 88-92 FXRT White
installing the fork brace will cause the forks to bind. If, after 91-92 FXD/B/C PVC
Spacer
installing the springs, a harshness exists (especially on 95-05 FXD/C/X
small bumps and freeway expansion joints) remove the fork 93-05 FXDL Washer
brace and ride the bike again over the same route. If 94-00 FXDS-Con.
harshness has disappeared, refer to the fork brace
installation instructions for proper and concise installation to "Sportsters"
eliminate the misalignment. If harshness still exists, your 88-93 883/1200
front end (wheel/forks) may be misaligned. Consult your 94-03 883/1200 Std, Dlx
shop manual for proper wheel and fork alignment 88-91 883 Hugger
instructions. 92-03 883 Hugger/1200
04-15 883/1200 All
7. Fine Tuning
Pre-load: Spacer length can be decreased to lower the ride
height and soften the ride or increased to raise the ride
height and firm up the ride. Adjust in 1/4" increments.
35 mm Fork Tube
Fork Cap
Fork Oil "Narrowglide"
Unless otherwise noted we recommend the stock oil 84-87 All Sportsters
viscosity and level. Oil viscosity can be changed to alter 82-87 FXR/FXRS
damping. Heavier oil will increase damping. Lighter oil will 83-87 FXRT
decrease damping. Change in five weight increments (i.e.
84-86 FX 3/8” to 7/8”
from 10 weight to 15 weight). Oil viscosity will have more
White
effect on rebound damping than compression damping. Too PVC
Spacer
high of viscosity can create harshness on sharp edge Washer
bumps. The oil level also affects the ride. Too high an oil
level and the forks will feel too stiff, too low and the bike will
bottom out, feel too soft and tend to dive.

Fork Fork Cap

41 mm Fork Tube Cap 49 mm Fork Tube
"Wideglide"
78-86 FL-FLH Washer
06-15 FXDI/LI/WGI/CI/35/BI
80-86 FXWG 0 to ½" 1/2” to1.00”

84-15 FXST/FLST All White

(with or without spacer)
08-15 FXDF
PVC White
93-05 FXDWG Spacer PVC
(if needed)
Spacer
80-01 FLH/FLT All
Washer
02-06 FLHR Washer
06-13 FLH/FLT/FLHT All

NOTE: If lowered 2” some models may not

need spacers to achieve the proper preload.
(spring alone may protrude 0-1/2” as needed)
 Harley Davidson V-Rod
Fork Lowering Kit
Installation Instruction
Warning: All work must be performed by a qualified me-
chanic or according to steps outlined in an authorized Figure 1
service manual. Installing lowering kit will decrease ini-
tial ground clearance. The motorcycle will be lower to
the ground and care should be taken to avoid bottom-
ing, especially over bumps or turns. To maintain proper
balanced geometry, we recommend lowering the motor-
cycle in the rear the same amount as the front (see the
Harley Davidson application chart).
Fork Lowering Kit Supplement
The installation of a fork lowering kit does not effect
the compressed length of the fork. However, we have
found that some motorcycles may not have adequate
clearance between the fender, fairing and/or accesso-
ries. Therefore, we recommend that this be checked
and if there is not adequate clearance, the interfering
parts be removed or modified to eliminate the situation.
After installation of new lowering springs onto the
damper rod, we recommend that the forks be installed
on the motorcycle complete with wheel/fender, but
without the main springs and completely bottomed out.
This is done to check clearance between the fender and
fairing/crashbar/accessories, etc.
Typical Fork Design
Never attempt to remove the fork cap nut without first placing a
quality jack or sufficient blocks under the motorcycle to securely Figure 2
lift the front wheel off the ground. Failure to do so could result
in damage and/or serious injury!
1. Remove and disassemble forks (including removal
of damper rod) according to steps outlined in an
authorized service manual for your particular model 3. Reinstall damper rods into forks per shop manual.
and year Harly Davidson (see figure 1 for refer- A. Add the proper amount of fork oil as recom-
ence). mended in your shop manual. Make sure the
2. This kit will achieve a one inch (1") lowered height, viscosity is the recommended weight.
leave the stock top out spring on the damper rod B. Install your Progressive Suspension fork springs
and install one Progressive Suspension lowering with the close wound end up.
spring on the damper rod with the stock top out C. Reuse the stock washers on top of the Progres-
spring (see figure 2). sive fork springs and install the included white
PVC spacers.
 D. Install your fork caps and reinstall your forks on 6. Fine Tuning
your motorcycle according to the shop manual. Pre-load: Spacer length can be decreased to lower the
4. Test ride motorcycle at reduced speeds to develop a ride height and soften the ride or increased to raise the
“feel” for how the motorcycle handles due to the ride height and firm up the ride. Adjust in 1/4" incre-
different geometry due to the lowered suspension. ments.
5. Fork braces: We have found numerous cases of Fork Oil: Unless otherwise noted we recommend the
binding forks due to improperly mounted fork stock oil viscosity and level. Oil viscosity can be changed
braces. Our experience has led us to conclude that to alter damping. Heavier oil will increase damping.
even the slightest misalignment while installing the Lighter oil will decrease damping. Change in five weight
fork brace will cause the forks to bind. If, after in- increments (i.e. from 10 weight to 15 weight). Oil viscos-
stalling the springs, a harshness exists (especially on ity will have more effect on rebound damping than
small bumps and freeway expansion joints) remove compression damping. Too high of viscosity can create
the fork brace and ride the bike again over the harshness on sharp edge bumps. The oil level also af-
same route. If harshness has disappeared, refer to fects the ride. Too high an oil level and the forks will
the fork brace installation instructions for proper feel too stiff, too low and the bike will bottom out, feel
and concise installation to eliminate the misalign- too soft and tend to dive.
ment. If harshness still exists, your front end
(wheel/forks) may be misaligned. Consult your
shop manual for proper wheel and fork alignment
instructions.

Learn more about other motorcycle suspension parts by Progressive Suspension on our website.