Who has lowered thier nomad?

[Kawhead]

I'm altitude impaired . I've need to lower my Nomad juss a little for comfort and stability. The ones at Scootworks are Progressive but that's about all the information I can get other than they can lower the ride up to two inches. I've seen the answer on here before but search as I may.........I can't find it again ::). Mine's Black a '06 in case it makes a difference

[watchman]

We lowered the wife's 08 Nomad by changing out the rear shocks. We installed Progressive 440 11 1/2 shocks that came off of my old Vulcan 01 Classic FI. This dropped the rear of the bike 1 1/2 inches and the floor boards will still rub before anything else when riding 1 up. Using these shocks you just put washers behind the shock on the top mounting stud and use the orginal washers and cap nut to hold the shock in place. You don't have to do anything to the bottom as the shock fits the stud perfectly. Several have gone with the Progrssive 418's as they are much cheaper.

[strobe]

Progressive also sells a from lower spring (10-1563). I have heard elsewhere that if you do the back, it is recommended that you lower the front as well. I can't recall the reasons though, but I think it was something about the balance, just can't remember, but most people seem to do the rear so that is likely something the vendors say to sell more product... :)

[Kawhead]

Thanks fellahs. Some Vendors and Dealers make me feel like I need a hot shower after I finish talking to them. Unless I hear different, I'm going with the HD 440 because it's a better shock. A fist full of dollars more than the 418s but better. I'm guessing what I need to do is measure my shock eye to eye and subtract from that measurement to find out which shock length I want.

[strobe]

Originally Posted by Kawhead

Thanks fellahs. Some Vendors and Dealers make me feel like I need a hot shower after I finish talking to them. Unless I hear different, I'm going with the HD 440 because it's a better shock. A fist full of dollars more than the 418s but better. I'm guessing what I need to do is measure my shock eye to eye and subtract from that measurement to find out which shock length I want.

I think the 440's are the best bet. I have the 418's on my wife's bike and they are just a bit better than stock, but at least there is an improvement. Make sure you measure unloaded shock length too, with load they will have compressed and you may order shorter than you really want.

[watchman]

My shocks was the HD model but even with my 295 lbs I could not lighten the shock enough to get a good ride. I sent them in to Progressive and had the standard springs installed and even riding double I never used all the adjustment. Liz has them on her Nomad now and I only have them turned up I believe 2 1/2 turns. The Nomad is about 150 pounds heaver than the Classic so the HD shocks might be the way to go but I thought I would give you my story and you can make up your mind.

[Kawhead]

That's what I want guys the who shocking story. Thanks :)

[ndbigfish]

I dropped my 99' about an inch. Dropped the front also. Tried dropping the rear only; not for me, didn't handle as well.

[dogdoc]

itsemt: why dont you just put a air ride suspension on that Nad. then you could just lower it to the ground when you stop and raise it however high you want when you ride.

[madcow]

how did you go about lowering the front ndbigfish? and how did it go with cornering clearance? lowering the nomad is somthing i have been toying with for a while but it will be purely for cosmetic reasons only.

[ndbigfish]

madcow,
I too suffer from a short inseam like Itsemt, but I rode the bike at the stock height for about 5 years. Later I removed the original air shocks from the rear and installed shorter conventional shocks. Then I took my bike to a local independent shop and he dropped the front end while he was doing some other work. There was no charge for springs or any kits and didn't ask if there were shims or spacers that were removed. The bike feels much different even only going down one inch. There was not a significant change in the cornering; the runnin' boards drug before and after. ;) I probably would not go down further than one inch because of the cornering and speed bumps.:)

I agree with Doc. I'd go with the air ride. I'm not inot physics and engineering, but I do know that if you lower the rear, you increase the rake in front, decreasing handling. Some bikes this is not a big deal and others it makes a big difference. There are other options like cutting down or norrowing your seat.

[madcow]

thanks guys, that will give me somthing to chew on. if i could find another stock seat for mine i would get one modified but nomads are a rare bike here in oz. i will keep an eye out for one though as i want to get another pillion seat to cut down and take an inch of the front so it dosent rub on my back. i dont want to cut up my original seats as i want to be able to take it back to stock when i wish to. cheers mc.

[tylerai]

Lowered???