Lowering for shorter riders

[sfc67]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

I put a set of soupys links on my wife's cbr this year she needed it lowered.
I got them to were she liked the height then marked them.Also marked the original height.
I also put a mark on the center collar and the lock nuts so one quick look and you can see if they move.
We have about 3000km so far and no movement very happy with them.

SC

 

[racerdell]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

I have installed lowering links on both my Tenere & my Suzuki GSX 650F. Two things happened. The kickstands will no longer work properly & must be modified. Secondly, on the Suzuki the handling was adversely affected. I left the links on both bikes but raised them up to just slightly less than stock height. I made the kickstand adjustable on the Tenere.
So just bolting on lowering links can cause other issues & may not be worth the trouble in some cases.

 

[EricV]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

@racerdell - Since you didn't mention it, I just wanted to clarify that lowering links are only part of the process. It's very important to balance the handling by raising the fork tubes in the triple trees.

You appear to be using adjustable lowering links, so I can't offer any suggested adjustment for your application. On the Super Tenere, I used fixed lowering links that gave a 1" drop, and raised the forks 13mm to balance that change. It only takes a couple of mm to notice a change in the handling. You may simply need to play with the forks to find the sweet spot for the GSX.

With the Ride On ADV lowering links, I can still use the side stand w/o modification, though there is significantly less lean and some care must be taken, it's not bad at all. The center stand does require a bit more muscle to use, which was completely expected.

And hey, please take a moment to fill out your profile. Location helps everyone offer better help and better understand your perspective on forum posts. ::008::

 

[Rasher]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

I have installed lowering links on both my Tenere & my Suzuki GSX 650F. Two things happened. The kickstands will no longer work properly & must be modified. Secondly, on the Suzuki the handling was adversely affected.

1. Another reason I only want a small change, I want the tyre to clear the gorund on the main stand, and for the bike not to topple off the side stand.

2. With the Tenere I know it handles much better with a bit more rear ride height, and as people mention 2-3mm is noticeable, but as it is a very slow steering bike 10mm is not going to make it too extreme (but the 20-60mm kits on them market might)

With lowering this slow steering will only get much slower, and the forks can't be dropped anywhere near as much as the rear so it is gonna end up steering a bit slower even with a fork drop, ground clearance will also become a big issue as it is pretty limited to start with.

 

[racerdell]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Hi Eric, All good points. My links on both bikes are adjustable from Soupys. I did adjust fork tube height on both bikes as well, approx 10mm. We modified the sidestand on the Tenere. The handling is fine & I ended up only lowering about 1 1/4" from Stock. Center stand was modified and works great. However, not everyone has equipment at home to keep the bike upright, weld, grind, etc. W have a race shop & we can do things like this.
The Suzuki wanted to "fall" into the corners after being lowered about 2" (setting up bike for my daughter.) I ended up raising it to almost stock, Seat is modied as well.
Another thing to think about is loading. I travel and carry quite a bit of gear. The kickstands that work with the bike empty in the driveway may not work when loaded epecially on uneven ground. Similarly the bike may handle differently when loaded.
My point is that there is more to consider when lowering the bike. It sounds simple just "throw on some lowering links" but reality is, esopecially with my luck, things are never quite that simple. When I responded I had not read previous posts about the many good points made about these installs. These forums are a great way to pick up info.

 

[EricV]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Thanks for filling out your profile a bit Racerdell. I suspected you knew a bit more from the 'racer' part of your handle, but you never know on forums.

You're certainly correct, load and use play a part in how well lowering will work out. The wife and I do endurance riding/rallies and run fuel cells and full luggage, so our load is not 'normal' for most people. Custom seats and shocks and even footwear all play a part in lowering, varying from bike to bike significantly. Not to mention handling and what we each may want, as Rasher explained. His needs are unique to him, but that's just part and parcel with the fun of motorcycles. ::001::

 

[racerdell]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

All good points. I rode from FL to Colorado last summer for an MSTA rally moderately loaded. On the return trip we hit strong front quartering winds sometimes gusting 26-40 knots. My friend on an FJR1300 had very little trouble with the wind. My bike a 2012 Tenere was a handful, somtimes changing lanes despite my best efforts. I had factory panniers, a Trax top box and my bike was lowered. My windsheld stock. I equated the winds dramatic effect on the bike to a combination of the winds pressure on my luggage & the softly sprung, long travel suspension. I would have thought the lowering of the bike might have helped but I don't know if it helped or added to the wind's affect.
Before my next venture out west (April for MotoGp COTA in Texas) I will leave off the top box and am thinking of lower handlebar. I am short & with the stock handlebars, I couid not get enough leverage on the bars to keep the bike where I wanted it unless I was practically sitting on the gas tank. I like a lower bar anyway as I like to ride leaning forward.
If I leave the top box on I may fabric a wind deflector as maybe the force of the wind was making the front end light.

 

[cosmic]

Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Thanks. We can machine custom set.

What kind of material are you using for the links? Is there a topic about your links?
Tnx & sorry for ot.


©

 

[~TABASCO~]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Stainless.

 

[viewdvb]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

There's nothing fancy about the stock links. They seem to be just mild steel. How hard can it be to source some suitable thickness flat bar (stainless if you are really nervous), cut it to length and drill a couple of holes with the two bars clamped together to ensure equality between centres. Shape the ends with a grinder and file and bingo! No worries about threads failure etc. and, if you are feeling experimental, make a couple of different length pairs while you are at it. Cost will be minimal. Not everything has to be made in a CNC equipped machine shop. Seems like some people have forgotten what simple hand tools are for. Remember that old adage - "KISS" - keep it simple stupid!

 

[AlsoRan]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Not everything has to be made in a CNC equipped machine shop. Seems like some people have forgotten what simple hand tools are for. Remember that old adage - "KISS" - keep it simple stupid!

With a little work holding, now a days it is almost (but not quite) as quick to CNC machine something than it is to by-guess-and-by-golly on the bench using hand tools. BUT you get a much better product with CNC. Some of the old adages went away with those drill / tap charts that were developed for the drill press days.

 

[kballowe]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Being of short legs and wanting to lower mine.... I could not find exactly what I wanted - so I made a set out of 6061 T6 aluminum. I figured that this would give me a good "starting point". The original center-to-center holes were 4" and the new ones are 4 1/2", which lowers the rear by approximately 2"

After that, I dropped the front tubes approximately 1/2", and then removed the bumpers on the rear of the rider seat in order to change the angle.

Oh yes, cut the sidestand with the trusty hacksaw and re-weld the plate onto the bottom. There is an added degree of diffuculty in getting the beast on the center stand, but not prohibitive.

It's less suited to off road now, but it appears to be much more stable at interstate speeds.

The end result (for me) is that I really LIKE to ride this bike. Hard to explain. Purchased November 17th, and 3,000+ miles so far. We own five other bikes in various configurations.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

Kevin

 

[markjenn]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Being of short legs and wanting to lower mine.... I could not find exactly what I wanted - so I made a set out of 6061 T6 aluminum.

I wouldn't run alum links for any length of time. They will eventually fatigue and fail.

- Mark

 

[Rasher]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

I have no engineering background, basic maintenance is fine for me and I have built up a reasonable toolkit for basic servicing over the years.

My biggest achievement in school Metalwork lessons was messing around with some chemicals I found and a lighter and creating a rather large fire that smoked out the whole block, Oh, and some crude Ninja Death Stars.

I would rather leave accurate metalwork and meterial choice up to those that understand it, even if it costs a few more bucks.

 

[kballowe]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

I wouldn't run alum links for any length of time. They will eventually fatigue and fail.



- Mark

YIKES ! Well, certainly something to keep an eye on.
Have made them for sport bikes and (so far) no problems. Many have OEM aluminum links.
This is a pretty hard, good, grade of aluminum that I'm using.

 

[markjenn]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Have made them for sport bikes and (so far) no problems. Many have OEM aluminum links.
This is a pretty hard, good, grade of aluminum that I'm using.

There has been a lot of discussion on this topic in other forums and I personally don't know of any OEM application of non-steel links except for playbikes and chinese junk. If you see alum dogbones on big bikes they're usually aftermarket and often "shade tree" aftermarket.

Dogbones are steel for a reason. Fatigue.

- Mark

 

[viewdvb]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

With a little work holding, now a days it is almost (but not quite) as quick to CNC machine something than it is to by-guess-and-by-golly on the bench using hand tools. BUT you get a much better product with CNC. Some of the old adages went away with those drill / tap charts that were developed for the drill press days.

It might be peferable if you have access to CNC equipment. I don't but I do have a good basic workshop. I made up an almost identical pair of steel links (for another purpose) and it took under an hour and cost under $3. The time it would take to find the machinist and get the job done and how much it would cost at their per hour rate makes it a no-brainer home workshop job in my view. Oh, and I still use drills on a drill press and taps where required. CNC makes it easier to get perfect results but it doesn't make you an engineer.

 

[Rasher]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

Lust Racing have now produced a +10mm set, this is probably ideal for a stock bike to give a better turn in and a bit more clearance, but with my already stiffer spring I am still tempted to go for te adjustable links so I can run an extra 4-5mm for solo use and when off on a longer trip dial in an extra 5mm or so as even with a oad more pre-load the bike fully laden with two + luggage sits a bit lower (even with stiffer spring)

The Lust +10mm kit is available from E-Bay or direct from Lust Racing.

 

[cosmic]

Re: Adjustable Raising / Lowering Links

I didn't have time to say thanks to Jaxon, therefore i'll do it now. THANK YOU! What a huge difference those small dog bones made, i still can't belive. With my 6'4'' figure, i finally fell like i'am sitting on a big enduro bike. ::003::

 

[GLADIATOR88]

LOWERING MY TENERE SETUP QUESTIONS

Hello

I recently bought a pair of soupys lowering links for the S10

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Tenere-XTZ1200-Lowering-Link-Links-Kit-Adjustable-2010-2011-2012-2013-NEW-/150802945989?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item231c8e57c5&vxp=mtr#ht_4948wt_1013 .


They can range from stock to a something like a 3" drop. I have read some previous threads on the topic and most are saying to drop the front equally to the rear. I have also read that the most I should drop the front forks is 13mm . If I want to keep it in balance I would obviously only drop rear by same 13mm amount. I am 5' 6" and the more I can drop the better. I already have the low seat.

What would the most rear end drop I would want to not affect handling in a negative way??

Thanks