Raising or Lowering the Front Suspension and Lowering the Rear Suspension
Although the Shadow 750 bikes look good in their factory form the rear ride height often has the appearance of a dirt bike in that is very high off of the ground which makes lowering the rear end a must for a different ride quality as well as a more cosmetically pleasing stance. Depending on your desired look the front end of these motorcycles can be raised for a more raked chopper look or lowered for a custom bobber look. The information below is primarily focused on the VT750DC however it applies to the C2 spirit and all other models of 750 shadow as well.
Lowering the Front End
Kits
Lowering the front end is as easy as purchasing and installing a lowering kit purchased from Hellriser Customs or direct from Scootworks. Progressive Suspension
DIY
You can easily make your own fork tube spacers out of 1 inch PVC pipe to replace the metal space inside the fork tubes.
You will need to raise the bike to take the load off of the front suspension. Remove the fork tube caps being careful of the large spring inside that is under tension. Remove the metal spacer. Cut your 1 inch PVC pipe length an inch to 1.5 inches shorter (or any desired lowering amount) than the metal spacer being sure to clean all shavings. Insert the new PVC spacer in place of the metal spacer and then re install the fork caps being careful not to cross thread them.
Raising the Front End
If you are looking for a raked front end appearance without spending the money on an aftermarket raked triple tree the easiest way to achieve it is to raise the front end while lowering the rear end of the motorcycle. There are two ways to raise the front end.
Longer Fork Tubes
The first option is to install longer 41mm fork tubes. Fork tube kits can be purchased from AME Chopper Products. You will either need to install longer fork springs, or you can build your own extended spacer out of properly sized PVC Pipe to make up for the longer tube length. Be sure that both spacers are identical in length. The longer tubes will require a longer brake line, be sure to measure.
Fork Extensions
The second and easier option is to purchase fork tube extensions directly from eBay, BikerCom, or Mean Cycles. You can go with 2 inch extensions and stock bars and still use the stock cables (they may need to be re routed). Over 3 inches and you will need at least a longer brake line. Be sure to measure. Great instructions for installing the Billski fork tube extensions can be found here: Fishman’s VT750DC or in PDF format for a different bike Here.
Raked Triple Trees
If you install a rake kit for the Honda Shadow VT750 you will either need fork tube extensions or longer fork tubes to maintain the same ride height. Raked Triple Trees can be purchased from: BikerCom, Motorcycle Accessories, AME Chopper Products, or for the highest quality and stability Mortons Custom Cycle.
Lowering the Rear End
One of the most sought after mods is to lower the rear end of your bike, this may be for cosmetics or it may be because you are short and feel more comfortable reaching the ground on a lowered bike. No matter the reason there are many ways to lower your bike.
Lowering Kit
Installing a lowering kit noting any warnings about clearance from the manufacturer is the fastest way to lower your bike from 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Kits are available directly from Scootworks in 2 different sizes and also LA Choppers makes a lowering kit available Here. Instructions for the LA Choppers 1.5 inch lowering kit can be found at Fishman’s VT750DC.
DC Spirit / Ace Kit on Amazon C2 Spirit / Aero Kit on Amazon
Shocks
Shorter 11 inch progressive shocks can vastly improve ride comfort and quality as well as lower your bike. After grinding the sub frame and or removing the rear taillight for a side mount tail light or another option for clearance you may use shorter shocks with one of the lowering kits above. If you want affordable shorter length shocks contact MB Products for lengths ranging from 10″ and up. You could swap your stock shocks for a stock set of Honda Rebel 250 shocks (10.5″) on the stiffest setting. Another option are Burley Slammers for a 04-10 HD Sportster or if you do a lot of 2 up riding for a similar year Dyna.
Struts
If you don’t mind riding rigid you can purchase 11″ Jireh shocks for a very affordable price which ride like struts as they are intended for a Harley big twin (require removal of center metal ring to fit) or you can purchase struts for the VT750 most commonly from ebay, but other manufacturers sell them.
Note that we do not recommend going shorter than 9.5 inch struts due to frame height issues, if you lower the rear of the bike too much you risk scraping the frame when cornering which can lead to an accident. If you are running an under fender cat eye tail light you will need 10 inch struts or larger to allow clearance with the tire.
(These struts fit all the 750’s old and new from the ACE & DC Spirit, to the C2/Phantom, Aero, and RS
Rigid kit
You may purchase a bolt on hard tail kit to lower your bike from Ardcore Choppers.
*** Note when lowering your bike consider clearance for your tail light and your sub frame. To get the most out of lowering you may need to chop the rear of your sub frame including grinding the sides to better fit the tire. Also you may need to grind the bolt that sticks out for the rear seat screw as if you bottom out this can cut a groove in your rear tire. Also if you end up lowering your bike with short shocks and a lowering kit you may need to install some Progressive travel limiters so you bottom out your shock before you bottom out your tire to the sub frame or rear fender.