Tech | FBI Drop Seat Kit - Hot Bike Baggers Magazine

01. The Drop Seat Kit includes a new seat, the new powdercoated subframe with repositioned battery box, extended battery cables, left and right side covers (painted in this case), turn signal module (TSM) mount, fuse box mount, and additional mounting hardware. For bikes with ABS brakes, an ABS manifold is required and available separately ($199.95).

01. The Drop Seat Kit includes a new seat, the new powdercoated subframe with repositione

When Harley-Davidson developed the new two-piece chassis for 2009 Touring models, the Fat Baggers Inc. (FBI) R&D task force went to work and created a new Drop Seat Kit ($1,799.95 with unpainted side panels; $2,050.95 painted) that would alter the Motor Company's rear frame section to lower the riding position approximately 3 inches. The kit works with all '09-later H-D Touring bikes.

According to Kent Reed, sales and marketing guru with FBI, this kit achieves 3 inches of drop in the rider's seat height without sacrificing suspension, frame clearance, or seat comfort to give riders more stability for starting/stopping and more confidence when they ride, stop, and take off. It also happens to look much cooler than stock.

02. FBI's Gary Chipp sits aboard the Street Glide as Chris holds the tape measure. The stock seat height measured about 27 inches from the ground up to the stock seat.

02. FBI's Gary Chipp sits aboard the Street Glide as Chris holds the tape measure. The st

The Drop Seat kit's main component is a new subframe, which replaces Harley's tail section of the frame with a reformed tail section that also repositions the location of the battery 90 degrees. The new subframe is positioned lower to fit a new two-up seat (other seat options available) that drops the height of the rider's position when in the saddle. The setup also creates a narrower section at the front of the seat where it meets the tank. Most of all, if you're one of those guys that have to stand on your toes when immobile, this kit is for you. Kent also mentioned that the Drop Seat Kit is going to be available for '96-08 Touring models too, but you will have to do a little cutting and welding to the stock frame.

We contacted FBI and had Alan Fawcett and Chris Taylor perform the installation. Follow along as we drop the seat on an '09 Street Glide.

03. The main objective was to replace the stock rear frame section with the FBI subframe. The saddlebags and seat were taken off, the main-fuse was unplugged, and the shock lines were disconnected. The fender strut covers, saddlebag support brackets, and rear fender were then removed.
03. The main objective was to replace the stock rear frame section with the FBI subframe.
04. Chris unhooked the ECM from the main harness, lifted the plastic battery cover out of the way, extracted the battery, and unhooked and discarded the stock battery cables. The TSM was then removed (arrow) and re-installed later into the new position of the provided FBI TSM mount, which relocates it to the left side.
04. Chris unhooked the ECM from the main harness, lifted the plastic battery cover out of
05. Alan unplugged the plug wires, then removed the ignition coil.

06. The fuse block was then taken out of its stock fuse box (arrow). Later it was placed into FBI's new billet fuse box mount. But first, the old frame section had to be removed in order to mount the FBI fuse box to the new subframe.
06. The fuse block was then taken out of its stock fuse box (arrow). Later it was placed
07. The stock battery box was removed to make room for the new subframe, and then Alan located the TSM harness (on the right side of the bike) and cut into the insulation to make it longer. It was then wrapped with electrical tape and rerouted to the left side of the bike to where the TSM's new home would be. New battery cables were also installed at this time.
07. The stock battery box was removed to make room for the new subframe, and then Alan lo
08. The stock subframe bolts were removed from the rear frame section and the stock rear frame section was removed.
08. The stock subframe bolts were removed from the rear frame section and the stock rear