Likes: 
Thanks: 
Dk custom tank lifts, information thread
What size tank lift is best for my bike?
We literally get asked this question on a daily basis. The best answer is, we have no idea. I know, it sucks, but we don’t. Just because "Joe" has a Sportster 48 with Apes and "Frank" has a Sportster 48 with Apes, does not mean that the two inch tank lift will look the same on both. Lots of things factor into the look that you wouldn’t think about, such as the color of the bike, are the mirrors flipped, any other mods that are done, etc.
So the question stands, "How do I know which tank lift to get?" It’s actually very simple. Since we always suggest that you check for clearance, you take a step back in this process and see what look YOU like on YOUR bike. Here are the steps:
1. With your bike on the kickstand, take the bolt out of the front of the tank.
2. Loosen (do not remove) the bolt at the rear of your tank.
3. Take a towel, or something to that nature, that is soft and won’t damage any kind of paint, and roll it up.
4. Take this roll, and place it between the backbone of the bike and the tank. You can adjust the thickness of this roll to adjust the height between 1.5", 2", 2.5", and 3" (Sportsters, Softails, and Tourings). For Dynas 2", 2.5", and 3".
5. Then, take the handlebars and turn them all the way to the left, then turn them all the way back to the right, this ensures that there are no clearance issues.
By doing this, you are not only able to make sure that you can install the tank lift with no fitment issues, but you can also see the height at which you would like your tank lift.
In Sportsters, (1995-2003) it is possible that your tank ears have "Rubber Grommets" , if this is the case, please let us know so that we can send the proper brackets to account for the extra length needed to go through those pieces. Also, in Dynas, ( most 2010 and up) have a curve in the tank ear. We also have separate brackets to fit those bikes, so we will need to know if your tank ears have this curve.
IMPORTANT NOTE: 2009 and later Touring models that have the 6 gallon tank can only use a 1.5" or 2" Lift. Even with the 2", if the handlebars are pulled back toward the rider at all, there will be a clearance issue. With the DELUXE OPTION you can get a little more room by moving the tank back & leveling it a bit.
The Deluxe option is especially useful on the pre- 2004 Sportsters because the factory rear tank design does not allow the front to be lifted more than 1.5" without this option. SOME 2010 and up Dynas have extra metal on the tank ear that prevents the Deluxe option from fitting.
Originally Posted by rwhgme
