Readers ask: How To Lower A Motorcycle Rear Suspension?

How does lowering a motorcycle affect the handling?

Effects on Handling Even if you lower your bike by the book, handling can be affected to some degree. “When you lower a bike, you also lower its center of gravity, so it’ll handle a bit better in certain circumstances,” says Langley. “The negative is that your initial ground clearance is decreased.

How do I lower the forks on my motorcycle?

The only real way to do this is to raise the bike’s front end off the ground with a proper stand (one that raises the bike from the lower triple clamp, NOT the race stands that prop up under the bottom of the fork tubes), remove the fork springs and slowly raise the fork until it bottoms out.

Is it safe to lower a motorcycle?

Motorcycle experts will always advise against lowering the front of your bike for both safety and functionality. You can get away with lowering only the back if you’re going for function, but for appearance, many of you will want to lower the front to match it.

How do I lower my motorcycle lowering links?

Install Lowering Links The link arms multiply swingarm movement, allowing for a rising-rate of shock damping. The first movement can be soft for small bumps, then progressively harder for larger hits. Longer “ lowering ” links, effectively move the bottom shock mount closer to the ground, thus reducing the seat height.

Does lowering a motorcycle make it faster?

By lowering the front end, you are manipulating the bike’s rake and trail settings. Without getting too technical, this will make your bike quicker turning at the expense of reducing high-speed stability.

How do I shorten my motorcycle kickstand?

Motorbike Kickstand Shortening

1. Remove the kickstand.
2. Using a scriber, mark along the length of the kickstand.
3. Using an angle grinder, cut out a section of the kickstand the length to match to how much you have lowered your bike.
4. Using a wire wheel, remove the paint from the immediate edges of both kickstand pieces to prepare for welding.

How do I adjust my motorcycle suspension?

1 Setting the spring preload or “sag” Check swing arm and wheel bearings/bushes to ensure there is no wear. Lift the rear of the bike until the suspension is completely extended. Take a measurement from the axle to a point directly above on the rear sub frame. Let the bike down on its suspension and measure again.

Should your feet touch the ground on a motorcycle?

For a standard bike in normal use you should not, from the seat, be able to touch the ground (without leaning, or except, perhaps, on extreme tip-toe). One way to fit the seat height is to have someone hold the bike while you pedal backwards with your heels on the pedals.

What is a swingarm on motorcycle?

A swingarm, or “swinging arm” (UK), originally known as a swing fork or pivoted fork, is a single or double sided mechanical device which attaches the rear wheel of a motorcycle to its body, allowing it to pivot vertically. The swingarm has also been used for the front suspension of scooters.

Do lowering links affect handling?

Lowering the rear with a link will tilt the bike towards the rear and, unless you also raise the front shocks in the triple clamps to compensate, the steering geometry will change slightly and might adversely affect the handling characteristics of a pretty good bike.

Can you lower a Honda xr650l?

The lowering should be done internally to the forks and shock. Easy to do if your in there servicing them anyhow. It is reversible and maintains the tire clearance when the suspension is bottoms.