Raised dog bones easy install and way to get ground clearance

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ballisticexchris

Guest
bike on center stand, lever under rear wheel. I used large crowbar and small wood block. When sweet spot found the bolts will slide out easily. remove rear link bolt first keep spacer in place. The pressure will now be off the front bolt so slide it with the link untill it contacks the exhaust. At this point slide the spacer halfway out to the right , this will give enough room to get front bolt out. Be careful as the as the needle bearings are in a teflon type cage and can be dislodged. Put new link on front bolt on and slide back in repositioning spacer when bolt clears exhaust. Using lever line up for rear bolt a second set of hands helps here. Do not force and hold spacer so it does not slide out when bolt goes in. 43 ft # for nuts good luck
This is the spot on way to install the links. Thanks again rstrom!!

Reason for me doing this is to give me some time to get some miles on my bike (before suspension re spring/service and still have the needed ground clearance. I opted for a set of the shorter links. They raised the bike 20mm. Now my bike no longer stands up straight with the kickstand down.

I highly recommend this company for these links. From the time I placed the order it was 7 days to my doorstep from the UK!! With shipping and exchange rate it came out to just about 100 bucks. Just make sure you order the proper ones for your bike. The ES model is a different PN and does not have as many lowering/raising options as the standard Super Tenere.

http://www.lustracing.co.uk/suspension/yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-jackup-kit.html

P8210101.JPG
As usual Yamaha is a bit light on the grease. It took more time to load the grease gun than install the dogbones!! In the last year I have switched over to marine grease for almost everything.

P8210102.JPGP8210104.JPG
I ended up breaking into my onboard toolbag and used my Eastbound tools "Wheel wedge" this is a back saver and super compact. Way easier than pry bar and it holds the wheel in place.
https://www.eastbound.shop/product/eastbound-wheel-wedge/
P8210105.JPG

I'm very pleased with the outcome. The bike sits normal with the sidestand down instead of straight up. I have had more than a few close calls with the bike tipping over. And getting it up on the centerstand is way easier!!
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ballisticexchris

Guest
I might also comment on the sag numbers. The shorter links do stiffen up the "effective rate" of the spring slightly. I'm 200-210 in street clothes and 220-330 in gear.

Fully geared up with all my tools, 3 liters of water, full tank of fuel, and empty panniers mounted.

Stock suspension, stock dogbones
1 Helmet/standard 0
Static 66
Rider 105
With raised dogbones
Static 64
Rider 98



1 Helmet + luggage/standard 0
Static 62
Rider 96


Static 60
Rider 95



2 Hemets/standard 0
Static 52
Rider 88


Static 50
Rider 85



2 Helmets + luggage/standard 0
Static 46
Rider 84


Static 44
Rider 82
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
How did you remove the bolt closer to exhaust?
I failed on that part.


Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
Simply slide out the inner race from the right side of linkage. This gives the bolt enough "wiggle room" to come out. As stated by rstrom just be careful not to damage the inner bearing cage.

These are the inner races. They pull right out with a finger.

P8210102.JPG
 

Cycledude

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,997
Location
Rib lake wi
Sad there are no dealers in the USA
would be very interested in buying something to raise my ES enough to make parking on the side stand easier, the way it is now it very often stands up way to Straight .
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
Sad there are no dealers in the USA
would be very interested in buying something to raise my ES enough to make parking on the side stand easier, the way it is now it very often stands up way to Straight .
That was one of the main reasons for me to get this. You might find something on ebay. I just did not want to chance it. Lust Racing is a reputable company. It is very reliable through Pay Pal. Just be sure to choose NON-EU postage option. Mine came very quick.

What do you know?!! You can get these on Ebay. Shipping time is about the same.

OOPS EDIT. Only for the standard model.
 

demacagi

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2014
Messages
76
Location
Los Angeles, CA
That was one of the main reasons for me to get this. You might find something on ebay. I just did not want to chance it. Lust Racing is a reputable company. It is very reliable through Pay Pal. Just be sure to choose NON-EU postage option. Mine came very quick.

What do you know?!! You can get these on Ebay. Shipping time is about the same.

OOPS EDIT. Only for the standard model.
Same with mine, very quick shipping.
Got straight from LustRacing website.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
B

ballisticexchris

Guest
How did the test ride go ?
I only did stupid less than 100 mile surface streets and freeway. First impression is really strange. When I headed out in super slow traffic I had to split lanes and thread my way through the cars at walking pace. I cannot explain it but the bike was way more balanced and stable. I normally struggle at super slow speeds. A lot less foot dabbing. At one point I was almost at a full stop and was able to continue without putting a foot down. At freeway speeds I could tell no difference at all.

It makes no sense. I know this is a heavy street bike. But on all my dirt bikes whenever you decrease the sag (lift the rear up) the bike turns sharper and is a little less stable at slower speeds. I figured that by lifting the rear it would be a big compromise. Quicker turning but less stable at slow speeds. So far this is not the case. It feels pretty normal at freeway speeds and more stable at slow speeds.

The big difference is when it's parked!! I can have it at full soft or full hard and it leans into the side stand like a normal bike. And boy oh boy, what a treat putting it on/taking it off the center stand!! Almost effortless. Very pleased.

In the next week or two I will be doing a shakedown ride to prepare for my upcoming North Rim loop next month. I figure to check out how it rides in the mountains and on a mellow fire road or two.
 

Cycledude

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,997
Location
Rib lake wi
So the new bones are shorter to raise the rear ? I would have guessed longer.
The holes in the second dogbone in the picture appear to be showing some wear already, or is that just my imagination ? How many miles on that bike ?
I will most likely be attempting the swap sometime in the future just to gain some rear height so it’s more stable for parking my 2018 ES on the side stand, but I’m in no hurry because I don’t plan on riding the Tenere much more until next year.
Thank you very much for the very good installation instructions they will be very helpful when I get around to installing !
 
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ballisticexchris

Guest
So the new bones are shorter to raise the rear ? I would have guessed longer.
The holes in the second dogbone in the picture appear to be showing some wear already, or is that just my imagination ? How many miles on that bike ?
I will most likely be attempting the swap sometime in the future just to gain some rear height so it’s more stable for parking my 2018 ES on the side stand, but I’m in no hurry because I don’t plan on riding the Tenere much more until next year.
Thank you very much for the very good installation instructions they will be very helpful when I get around to installing !
No problem. And yes the the dogbone in the picture that looks worn is just a reflection from the camera. If you look under your bike you will see the way the linkage is configured. Short link raises the bike, long link lowers it.

I plan on putting between 5,000-10,000 miles on this bike then have the whole suspension redone with valving and proper springs. I may end up keeping the dogbones in place. Time will tell......

I will have a better review of it on my Grand Canyon trip next month.
 

Gigitt

Active Member
Joined
May 15, 2015
Messages
427
Location
Sydney Australia
I installed my riser links on Saturday that I got from OFF THE ROAD.
I'm probably 160kg geared up 195cm (6'4.5") and normally ride 2 helmet STD 0 when solo.
Went for a ride on Sunday. before I left home I set my ES to 1 helmet 1 bag STD 0. rode to the meet point and the bike felt great. Not much noticeable difference in turn in... may be a bit easier and smoother.
When we got to the twisties, the road surface was rougher and the rear end felt hard. so changed ES to Soft -2. this felt way better.

I did not ride as hard as i normally do, but the bike felt more comfortable and controllable in corners for me.

Now my big issue is swinging the leg over when my back seat is loaded with camping gear.
I did notice the height difference without my bags. I'll have to find a easier mount and dismount with the new height.
 
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