Shortening Front Forks

[Kickaha]

I'm looking for a new front end for my pre82 RD350LC race bike as the standard LC front leaves a bit to be desired

Now I've found a front end I'm keen on that fits the period criteria but it is about 70-75mm to long

So the next question would be is it possible to shorten it up, the tubes are just chromed steel so that doesn't seem to hard to do, but what about the internal bits? a shorter spring shouldn't be to much of a problem to find but there's still the damper rod ( I do intend to fit emulators)

Or do I just keep looking until I find something more suitable?

[Katman]

Why not just leave the forks sitting proud off the top clamp and fit clip ons?

[White trash]

Why not just leave the forks sitting proud off the top clamp and fit clip ons?

By seven centimeters? Fuck that.

[justsomeguy]

By seven centimeters? Fuck that.

Why not?

Worked on my little 250 ..... although that was by 5 centimeters.

[Robert Taylor]

I'm looking for a new front end for my pre82 RD350LC race bike as the standard LC front leaves a bit to be desired

Now I've found a front end I'm keen on that fits the period criteria but it is about 70-75mm to long

So the next question would be is it possible to shorten it up, the tubes are just chromed steel so that doesn't seem to hard to do, but what about the internal bits? a shorter spring shouldn't be to much of a problem to find but there's still the damper rod ( I do intend to fit emulators)

Or do I just keep looking until I find something more suitable?

You also need to consider what the difference is in stroke compared to the original forks and if that creates any clearance issues at full closed length etc.

[Katman]

By seven centimeters? Fuck that.

By the time you fit the clip ons above the top clamp the forks would only be sitting about 3cm proud.

[Katman]

And besides WT, I thought it was a race bike - not a fucking show pony.

[Pancakes]

The race bikes are ugly and thats the way they should be, the racers are the show ponies! hahahaha



p/t

[Conquiztador]

Not sure what forks you have, but many of them have a pre-load spacer that keeps the springs loaded when forks are fully extended. About 2 - 3 cm (1inch) normally. By replacing this spacer with a shorter one you will lower the forks the same amount. Just watch out so that there is still some pre-load on them as you don't want the last part of the travel to be without spring load...

If you want lower then that, then a common way is to fit a short spring on the other side of the damper rod and not allowing the forks to come up back to full extension.

Good Luck