2007 Sporty 883L suspension

[Ranze]

We fetched 2007 883 L(ow) Sporty, in fact for wife. I might use it for shorter drives too. It has mid controls, really low for her. Bike is low mileage, and i believe it is on factory shape. Only S&S mufflers and nicer handlebars.

Front end is soft, it hit bottom easily. Especially if i drive. I suppose that tubes are shorter, they have different part numb. than regular Sporty has? Front rim is 19" while regular has 21. What suggestions?
Better springs? Regular might be too long? Whole front end from regular Sporty?
Thicker oil?

Rear shocks are guite firm. I believe they are different size too? They still have one notch to adjust softer, i might try that first.

[92flhtcu]

Try Progressive springs and heavier fluid

[Ranze]

Confused. 

MoCo's parts list shows that 883 Low has different rear shock.



But complete springkit says "fits all".  Must part 30 remove or what?

[boooby1744]

 You might still have the original 12 yr old fork oil. I'd just change the fork oil,a 60/40 mix of stock and the next heaviest oil. Maybe add a half to 1 oz more . Nice cheap fix,if it doesn't work,try a Racetech spring and go from there.

[Ranze]

This scooter has only 5000 miles on odometer. It has even original tyres, which i planned to change for safety reasons. I have all reasons to guess that oils are definitely originals. So oil change is anyway mandatory.

Nevertheless travelling range on forktube is still quite short.

[PC_Hater]

It sounds as though you don't need the bike to be as low  as possible so new rear shocks and relevant parts to lengthen the front forks will be worthwhile.

My girlfriend had a 2009 Nightster with the lowering kit short rear shocks. It was very uncomfortabl on bumpy roads but OK on good roads.
I've ridden on Finnish frost-damaged roads - get the longer shocks and forks!

A few happy hours with the parts book should make it clear what you need.

[Karl H.]

Harley used specific front fork components and rear shocks for the 883L in 2007 to lower the ride hight as far as possible. I think they overdid it. The suspension travel is marginal with a soft front and a hard tail. My wive had the 1200L (2007) which is not so extremely lowered. With this bike replacement springs (www. wirth-federn.de) helped alot for the front.
The length of the rear shocks are as follows:
883L = 11.5" (294mm)
883C, 1200C, 1200L, XL 50 = 11.75" (300mm)
883, 883R, 1200R = 13.25" (340mm)
We ended up using the 13,25" shocks with soft springs instead of the stock 11,75".

Karl