Soupy's adj. lowering links......NEW

[bonzer2u]

I dropped these folks an email a while back to ping me if and when they came out for a set of these for the s10.

Check'em out, adjustable from 0 to 3" with no removal after the initial install, quite clever.......

http://www.soupysperformance.com/catalog/item/4408900/9047733.htm

Seriously thinking about these, your thoughts?

 

[Koinz]

I saw these guys as well before we received our bikes. It is a clever design.

 

[colorider]

A bit pricey, but looks like a good design!

 

[bonzer2u]

In the email I recieved, Mike 'soupy' Brandt asked me if I was willing to part with my sidestand so he could design an adjustable replacement part. I understand they are in Michigan somewhere so if someone is in the neighborhood perhaps they could drop by for a measurement, I'm sure they would make it worth someone's while... Drop him an email if your interested.

 

[tomatocity]

It would be interesting to find out how much better the Super Tenere could handle. Extending the links should make quicker turn-in. The extended links could help with ground clearance that was lost with a load for a month of travel. Did anyone notice if the links can be used to lower the suspension?

 

[~TABASCO~]

This design has been around for a very long time. Many people produce this "style".. For safety reasons Ive always shied away from this set up, way to many variables could have an issue. Don't want to dog on this "style" of lowering set up to much, but do some home work before installing on a bike that can be loaded heavy and go off road... This business says they use stainless... NEVER buy ones that use aluminum...

From someone that has seen many sets on road bikes ...

 

[SisuTen]

I'll pass. These links would make a good design tool for dialing in the height. Then fab permanent links of the proper length. I have no interest in something that has the potential for catastrophic failure. I LIKE my skin right where it is. ???

 

[Dallara]

~

I don't have a dog in this fight... nor am I trying to change anyone's mind about their own perceptions...

But we used adjustable steel heim joint ends of similar (and often smaller) size on suspension links of Indy Cars that were under *WAY* more loading than you could ever put through a pair of these on a Super Tenere and I can't ever recall an actual heim end failure. I wouldn't worry in the slightest about these failing on an S-10.

Just FYI... I'm happy with the height of my S-10.

Dallara


~

 

[Rasher]

Just an update on these, I bough some and they do not fit :exclaim:

They would catch on the swing arm, after a Paypal dispute went in Soupy's sent me new ends, these were the same but where the nut / bolt recess is they were shallower - they now fit but you cannot get a socket or spanner on the nut and bolt as they are completely recessed - Soupy's reckon they sell loads like this and you can get them tight enough, but I cannot see how you could get them more than half way done up.

Being in the states makes it hard for me to do much other than lose my money, I would steer clear of this company for any products, but certainly do not buy any S10 links :exclaim:

 

[CDMartin884]

Been using similar heim-joint designs for years in the off-road world for 4-link suspensions. Due to the need for adjustablity with drive train geometry. Seems a bit over kill for the S10. I think a solid dog bone is better suited.

 

[Flyin W]

I got a pair of Soupy's links and put them on last night. Unless you use a black impact socket, a regular 3/8" drive 3/4" or 19mm Proto or Craftsman socket wil fit in the recess to tighten them down. But I had some other issues with them. I sent Soupy an email since they do not provide a phone number to call them??? Rather than type all the problems I contacted them about, I'll cut and paste a copy of the email I sent them. Hopefully they will reply and help resolve my issues. We shall see, I'll keep you posted. I wanted to try the adjustable ones to custom tailor the ride height and handling to my preference. Not crazy about riding a chopper (or old Husky rake) down the Dragon next week.

Here's what I wrote............... Cheers, Flyin W

P.S. As a side note, check the grease on your linkage bearings. After 28,000 miles and a 11k trip to Prudhoe Bay and back, mine needed some attention. ;^)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hey Soupy,
I received a pair of Tenere lowering links yesterday, my wife ordered them for me since she has the Pay Pal. They look good and my order number was #######. Your web page says they adjust from stock height to a 3” drop. I think maybe I may have got the wrong parts. I installed the links, straight out of the envelope, without changing anything and in the highest (tallest?) setting my bike was 2.5 inches lower in the rear without making any adjustments. I only wanted to lower my bike about an inch. Dropping the rear that much rakes the forks out enough that I feel the handling may be affected. I can only slide the fork tubes up about ¾” to lower the front end to offset the lower rear to keep the rake about the stock angle.

Also the instructions said to install “provided” spacers and there were not any included in with the parts. Right now without any spacers behind the links, the OEM nuts bottom out on the stock factory bolt threads and do not tighten snugly against the link. The bolts float back and forth with play in them. The stock links are quite a bit thicker than the counter bored part of the lowering links. How many spacers should be provided? Four, two for each side?

Another observation I made was if you put the lower links on without adjusting them per the instructions, the lock nuts hit the cast aluminum suspension linkage making it difficult to break them loose to make any height adjustments.

Obviously these will not work for me. Do you build any that keep the stock height and adjust lower from there as per the web page?

Please let me know what you suggest. I can send you some photos if needed. I appreciate your help.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Flyin W]

Soupy update.
We'll I sent them an email describing my problem and they think they sent me the wrong end bolts. They are going to express ship me some different ones but I don't think they will work since the units they sent me lowers the bike more than I wanted. Their ad says stock height to 3 inches lower but with them adjusted all the way in it goes down 2.5 inches. The only adjustment is out or longer which only lowers the bike even more. Hell, maybe I got it backwards. If I do somebody straighten me out.

I'll see what they send me and post a note later. I'm heading out Friday on a 11 day ride and won't be back until after Labor Day so it may be a while before I reply after tomorrow. I got my heavier Eibach spring from Race Tech on today. I'll mount it tonight, looking forward to trying it out loaded down. The 1.0 Race Tech front springs are a lot better than stock for me.

M

 

[Rasher]

Mine did not fit, I registered a Paypal complaint and he sent new ends - these did fit, however the bolts are so far recessed now you cannot do them up as there is no way to get a spanner or socket on the nuts or bolts :exclaim:

By the time this had all happened my Paypal complaint time had expired, I am now out of pocket and Soupy does not give a shit and just insists other people have used these ends, well I am not up for riding around with finger-tight suspension components.

They are a complete sham of an outfit - avoid at all costs :exclaim: :exclaim: :exclaim:

 

[Flyin W]

Soupy Update#2
Welp, I could not get mine to work and after repeated attempts to resolve the issues, all I could get out of them was replies from Judy the shipping clerk. Super nice lady but hard to communicate with over repeated emails. They didn't have a publicized phone number and email was the only method of communication. Not very customer service friendly. The web page ad said when mounted allowed adjustment from stock height to 3" lower. Actually when mounted in the tallest, highest setting it lowered the bike 1 inch. The link lock nut hit the suspension linkage and could not be adjusted once mounted. You had to screw the links out a turn or two to get a wrench on them which only made the bike go lower. Judy the shipping clerk thought they had sent the wrong end pieces but the second set she sent were identical to the set that came with the first shipment. Another problem was getting a socket inside the recessed portion to tighten the bolt & nut. I had to hammer a socket in to tighten the link which brings up another problem. The instruction said to install spacers behind the links between it and the suspension needle bearing sleeve. These were not included in the kit and after repeated back and forth emails, Judy finally sent me some. But by the time I got them, had already decided they would not work. First they lowered the bike with out any adjusting, second you cannot get a socket inside to tighten the bolts and 3rd the required spacers were not provided.

On a positive note, I got a return form and sent them back. After a week the paypal account was finally credited with the full purchase price. I found out after the fact that Soupy Mike had a new born son with some health complications and couldn't address my problems. While I wish them all the best and hope his son grows up to play middle linebacker for some prestigious university, but it sure would have been nice to had a person to person phone conversation. Soupy finally replied to my emails after I sent the links back and said they are going to completely redesign them to work properly. The lack of customer service, a poorly designed product that did not work as advertised and having the inconvenience of using a paypal did not make this a quality purchase. I know it's hard for a small start up family business to get going but my advice would be to try one on an actual machine before offering it to the public.

Wardy

 

[Rasher]

I have also been sent a returns form for mine now, so need to get them all packaged up to return - only problem is I will have to pay to send them back, and I got clobbered with VAT (import Duty) when they arrived so I will still be about £30 out of pocket

Not to mention exactly the same issues as above wasting much of my spare time.

 

[Blackbms]

I know that Soupy had the links redesigned recently. I met him out at a local track a couple weeks ago and had them test fitted in my 2012. They fit without a problem and the two of us put then on and took them off in less than 30 minutes. Very easy to install with 2 people. I was amazed at how low the bike was after that. I have some pictures I will try to post soon.

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