Lowering a bike, good?

[nzspokes]

Attachment 246050Attachment 246051Attachment 246052Attachment 246053




I too am Virtually challenged....at computer games. And Vertically challenged on my MTS.

When lowering watch for clearance between the front mudguard and front frame member or in a case I came accross a while back, between the mudguard and radiator on a Duc S4...Buggar!

Attached is an article I posted here a while back on the subject....sorry the pages are out of order

Sweet, confirms a lot of what my thoughts were.

I was going to remove the fork topcaps and let it fall to full travel and see where it ends up. At full travel now I have 50mm before the lower crown.

[Sable]

Hope you know how much damping oil should be in there. You could try moving the clamps down the forks a little?

[warewolf]

Any reason why?

Out of curiosity,

Have a read of this older thread: Lowering the bike, especially post 21 onwards.

[Robert Taylor]

Have a read of this older thread: Lowering the bike, especially post 21 onwards.

Thanks for dredging that thread. What amazes me is how many riders / dealers go for the ''cheap and easy'' option and then all too often find out the hard way the very real negatives the often happen. Doing it properly works out more cost effective in the long run.

[nzspokes]

Thanks for dredging that thread. What amazes me is how many riders / dealers go for the ''cheap and easy'' option and then all too often find out the hard way the very real negatives the often happen. Doing it properly works out more cost effective in the long run.

Not on an old bike it doesnt.

[pete-blen]

Thanks for dredging that thread. What amazes me is how many riders / dealers go for the ''cheap and easy'' option and then all too often find out the hard way the very real negatives the often happen. Doing it properly works out more cost effective in the long run.

You are making the assumption that everyone wants ,needs a race bike..
A set of lowering links are 100s & 100s of dollars more cost effective for the intended
use I give a bike.. I can't see how a set of properly designed/made link can course
componet damage... So I fail to see the "negatives" you are talking about...
There could/would be slight geomitrey changes with lowering links... but on the hole its not going to efect joe avarage...
The diffrents in ride height/surspention angles between a 60kg rider & a 150kg rider on the same bike is lightly a bigger geomitrey change
than what the links would give..

But you are right... If you think you are a Mr Rossi or Mr Copins... send the $ and do it right... but rquirements and $ don't
make it possable or required by most avarage riders...

[warewolf]

Why is it that so many people think good suspension is only for racers?? Why is it that ppl first make the engine more powerful/responsive/noisy whatever, when they can't get the existing power to the ground because of lousy suspension?

Pete, did you even read the quoted thread?

Cost of lowering links = $100 - $150
Cost of shock tweaking during a routine service = $0 upwards.

Ummm what's the downside in dollars again??

[Subike]

Virtically challenged, how about changing the seat thickness., I got 50mm lower on my XS, just by getting an upholsterer to make the foam thinner, then recover the seat,
I am only 75kg, and my boney ass is still comfortable with the reduced cushion thickness.
I have also heard of virtically challenged people having 20mm soles added to their boots.
Now there togeather is 75mm, and you have not even touched the suspension...
And I bet the $ spent would be far less too.

[pete-blen]

Why is it that so many people think good suspension is only for racers?? Why is it that ppl first make the engine more powerful/responsive/noisy whatever, when they can't get the existing power to the ground because of lousy suspension?

Pete, did you even read the quoted thread?

Cost of lowering links = $100 - $150

let yer have that one..
I was sort of thinking in my own situration..
A $10 bit of alloy in the mill..

[Robert Taylor]

Not on an old bike it doesnt.

Im at a loss to understand why a deficient level of function and safety is ''ok'' on an older bike??????????????????

[ducatilover]

I'm not a fast rider, but, one can never have good enough suspension. I'm thinking of a few upgrades for mine when money allows.

Do it properly.

Same goes with brakes.

[Robert Taylor]

You are making the assumption that everyone wants ,needs a race bike..
A set of lowering links are 100s & 100s of dollars more cost effective for the intended
use I give a bike.. I can't see how a set of properly designed/made link can course
componet damage... So I fail to see the "negatives" you are talking about...
There could/would be slight geomitrey changes with lowering links... but on the hole its not going to efect joe avarage...
The diffrents in ride height/surspention angles between a 60kg rider & a 150kg rider on the same bike is lightly a bigger geomitrey change
than what the links would give..

But you are right... If you think you are a Mr Rossi or Mr Copins... send the $ and do it right... but rquirements and $ don't
make it possable or required by most avarage riders...

Actually it is you that has made the assumption, and a huge one at that. Whilst we have a huge presence in road racing in fact the very highest percentage of our day to day customers are ordinary everyday road going riders. Customers that seek a much better level of ride comfort but at the same time better chassis and pitch control.
And a number of them want a lower ride height but without chernobyling how well the suspension might otherwise work. And a number more are those who have been convinced by keyboard jockies or dealers to fit lowering links. To find that their suspension now works like cr.p.
I think we just might have a lot more experience with this and have evidenced the very real negatives that all too often occur. Try pricing up a whole aftermarket linkage system.....

[nzspokes]

Im at a loss to understand why a deficient level of function and safety is ''ok'' on an older bike??????????????????

Ok, so what would you do to make my suspension better?

[ducatilover]

Ok, so what would you do to make my suspension better?

Let the list begin.....

[nzspokes]

Let the list begin.....

I know what I can do.

Interested in what he thinks he can do.