View Full Version : Lowering Kit
I needed to park on the high street today which has quite a slope on it into the Kerb. So there is I, pulling up on the road and trying to walk the bike backwards to park it with the rear wheel up to the kerb. Next thing I know I'm on the bliddy floor ......
I broke the ball off the clutch lever and bent the gear lever so that it would only ride in 1st. Worst of all I have bent the bung, popping one of the bolts off the fairing and crushing part of it into the side. I was absolutely gutted!!! Managed to limp it in 1st over to Crescents and they only charged me £9.99 for a new clutch lever even though they fitted it and fixed my gear lever. The bung is a bigger job which hopefully I can get sorted.
I've had the bike for over a month now and its the second time I've dropped it. :shock: My trouble is that I am on tip toes when moving the bike as I can't get my feet flat on the floor. When I went to Moore Speed Racing a few weeks ago about some mods he had said the bike had been jacked. So I went back today and the bike is going in tomorrow with me to be measured and new "dog bones" to be put on it.
The chap at Moore says he thinks it can be moved by "2" places???? Can anyone tell me how much of a difference this will make or if there is something else I can do??
He has also mentioned about softening the suspension and shaping the seat???
Oooohhh - there is good news in that while Moore have the bike they are putting my mods on ..... new light, hugger and cowl!!!
Whoop whooop
Only thing i can think of by lowering by 2 places is the dog bones and raising the forks through the yokes, seats can also be sculpted or you can by lower seats, also softening the suspension may ruin the the ride, but it may also improve, this is done by preload, you should have a special tool in your toolkit, the lower the teeth look on the shock (all i can explain is it looks like a bumpy hill) the softer it should be etc, you can also adjust the front preload, if you look on the top of your fowks there will be a screw on each one which lines round them if you bring the screw out so e.g. 5 lines showing that will be softest setup or screw them in so no lines showing hardest set up. have a look through your manual, that will explain the preload to you
Hth some other people may make more sense though :p
fizzwheel
05-11-09, 09:13 PM
Get some foam cut out of the seat, that'll help just as much as changing the dog bones will.
Then learn to watch where you stop / park and get used to shifting one bum cheek right off of the seat and get used to coping with only being able to get one foot down..
Its just practise and confidence.
Get some foam cut out of the seat, that'll help just as much as changing the dog bones will.
Then learn to watch where you stop / park and get used to shifting one bum cheek right off of the seat and get used to coping with only being able to get one foot down..
Its just practise and confidence.
Yeah good idea with the seat. I can't see how I can push a bike backwards while hanging off one side and using one foot?? lol
fizzwheel
05-11-09, 09:22 PM
I can't see how I can push a bike backwards while hanging off one side and using one foot?? lol
You cant. So dont park your bike in such a position that requires you to push it backwards. Park it in such a way that you can ride your bike out of the space instead ;)
madness
05-11-09, 09:29 PM
I'f your bike's had it's back end jacked up, the fit different dog bones to lower the rear end, get the seat scooped out a bit. You could have a cobbler stick a thick sole on your bike boots. How tall/short are you anyway? As fizzwheel said, it's a lot about confidence and experience.
Fizzy Fish
05-11-09, 10:01 PM
You cant. So dont park your bike in such a position that requires you to push it backwards. Park it in such a way that you can ride your bike out of the space instead ;)
+1 The man talks sense! Always pick your parking spot carefully, and avoid gravel, etc too as you get even less traction on that! I'd also suggest getting off to move the bike if you're struggling to get feet down properly - it's the only way I can turn my DRZ around :oops:
If you are still having problems, there are a whole hosts of lowering kits and options, including boots with a slight platform base - I can dig out links if you are interested.
I'm 5' 4" so not exactly on the small side. Its just that I struggle to push the bike on tip toes so it definately needs lowering. Its fine when I'm stopped in traffic or lights etc cos I can get my foot down enough on one leg to hold the bike upright.
When I am moving the bike whilst turning the front wheel it is enough to tip it to one side and I'm not strong enough on my tip toe to hold it. I dropped it on the right side when I was moving it to the right and now I dropped it on the left whilst turning it to the left. I was more aware of it this time after the first dropping incident but it still didn't make any difference. Once I felt it lean, I knew I was in trouble.
I just hope the new dog bones will make a difference. However with your advice I might look at the seat as well.
I will also stop fannying around with parking!!!!
Milky Bar Kid
05-11-09, 10:21 PM
Woo! I am not the only short ass to drop my bike a few times!
I have not, as of yet, (said whilst touching wood) dropped the SV though. What height are you Amanda? I am 5ft 6 and I manage quite well on my pretty bog standard SV.
Fizzy Fish
06-11-09, 08:22 AM
Dropping the rear end is definitely an option, but personally I'd try other things first (e.g. cut out seat, getting off the bike to move it) before deciding to change the way that the bike itself sits.
Lowering the back will change the angle of the steering, so you will then need to drop the front forks to compensate, and possibly change the sidestand as well (depending on how much you change it by). Lowering will also reduce your ground clearance slightly - though this may not matter to you unless you plan on doing trackdays. I'm not a suspension expert, but I would suspect that dropping the front forks will affect how the front suspension works as well - though again if you're not pushing the bike hard this may not be a problem to you, and you can change springs/oil for not too much money anyway.
Amanda M
06-11-09, 08:34 AM
Simple - get off and push it when you're parking up. That's what I do ;) I've never had a bike yet (in 15 years of riding) that I can shuffle about whilst sat on it. I'm 5'2" (ish...) and manage quite nicely with just one foot down when stopping etc (I just have to be careful with cambers ](*,)) but parking up means I have to get off and push.
What isn't clear from this thread is whether you're actually going to get the longer dogbones that make the bike lower. You're saying your bike has been jacked up so that means the back is higher than normal, so that needs to be returned to normal and then you go one step further and get the special, non-standard dogbones, that's what us shorties do to get the SV lowered. You can get them online cheaply those dogbones. Plus having the forks dropped. And yes some foam out of the seat helps too, don't know where you are but there are various companies that do it. If you're going to keep the bike it's worth while to have gel put in as the seat is a lot more comfy then.
Forgot: best to leave the suspension (pre-load), back and front, set up esp for you and not lower it and yes you will have to have the side stand shortened as well.
SUPERSTARDJ01
06-11-09, 09:04 AM
Well I hope you get it sorted :smt023, and if you do drop try not to smash the fairing because Suzuki have put there prices up and for a Curvry it's £179.72 for the upper right or left panel.
In my opinion, don't soften the suspension.
It's too soft already, but some one with more technical knowledge(YC, Sid, Rictus etc) will be along soon to tell you properly.
Milky Bar Kid
06-11-09, 09:48 AM
Amanda, if you are 5ft2 and can get your toes on the ground, the bike can't be jacked up that much. I am 5ft6 and I can get only the balls of my feet on the ground and my bike is a standard curvy....
Luckypants
06-11-09, 10:27 AM
Simple - get off and push it when you're parking up. That's what I do ;) I've never had a bike yet (in 15 years of riding) that I can shuffle about whilst sat on it. I'm 5'2" (ish...) and manage quite nicely with just one foot down when stopping etc (I just have to be careful with cambers ](*,)) but parking up means I have to get off and push.
Amanda_M is right Amanda, if you struggle to manoeuvre sat on the bike, get off and push. We all should be proficient at man handling our bikes around while pushing. I realise that this is easier for physically larger people, but it's something we can all learn to do.
Amanda_M is right Amanda, if you struggle to manoeuvre sat on the bike, get off and push. We all should be proficient at man handling our bikes around while pushing. I realise that this is easier for physically larger people, but it's something we can all learn to do.
Not always that simple. Miss Ophic has such short legs that the only thing she can reach the floor on is a quarter tonne cruiser. She has no hope of manhandling that bike anywhere on a slope.
ArtyLady
06-11-09, 10:59 AM
Sorry to hear this :(
I'm lucky as I'm quite tall so am able to paddle mine around - although i would prefer to push it, but cant as I have a dodgy arm.
I always plan where and how I'm going to park as I can't move the bike backwards uphill, and always avoid gravel unless I'm with someone who can turn the bike round for me :smt023
Thanks for all the advice and comments peeps.
MBK - Don't get us 2 Amandas confused. I'm the 5' 4" and can only get my toes on the ground when centred. I'm fine when riding, stopping, slow maneuvers, etc. It is purely a reserving or full lock parking issue, if that makes sense.
Anyways, I have been down to Moore again today and they have measured the bike after taking the dog bones out and luckily had some standard ones in stock exactly the right size I need. He is also going to lower the yoke by about an inch on the forks. Whilest we dropped it down I managed to get the ball of my foot down so with the yoke drop I should get the majority of my foot flat. Felt so much better!!
They are such a good bunch down there that "Tubbs" said he has no work in tomorrow so he's going to do the lowering and my mods then have a go at the damaged bung AND then give the bike a good going over to see if there is anything else he can do to help. All at no extra cost!!!
Just out of interest "Tubbs" is featured on page 105 of the December Fast Bikes. So I trust his judgement on the lowering.
Very excited to get my Suzi back on Monday. Whoop whoop
Milky Bar Kid
06-11-09, 05:26 PM
Thanks for all the advice and comments peeps.
MBK - Don't get us 2 Amandas confused. I'm the 5' 4" and can only get my toes on the ground when centred. I'm fine when riding, stopping, slow maneuvers, etc. It is purely a reserving or full lock parking issue, if that makes sense.
Anyways, I have been down to Moore again today and they have measured the bike after taking the dog bones out and luckily had some standard ones in stock exactly the right size I need. He is also going to lower the yoke by about an inch on the forks. Whilest we dropped it down I managed to get the ball of my foot down so with the yoke drop I should get the majority of my foot flat. Felt so much better!!
They are such a good bunch down there that "Tubbs" said he has no work in tomorrow so he's going to do the lowering and my mods then have a go at the damaged bung AND then give the bike a good going over to see if there is anything else he can do to help. All at no extra cost!!!
Just out of interest "Tubbs" is featured on page 105 of the December Fast Bikes. So I trust his judgement on the lowering.
Very excited to get my Suzi back on Monday. Whoop whoop
Lol, I meant 5ft4. Either way, my point is still the same...think bike can't have been jacked that much!!
sv-robo
06-11-09, 05:33 PM
I needed to park on the high street today which has quite a slope on it into the Kerb. So there is I, pulling up on the road and trying to walk the bike backwards to park it with the rear wheel up to the kerb. Next thing I know I'm on the bliddy floor ......
.
I've had the bike for over a month now and its the second time I've dropped it.
Tut,women eh?:p
Nah seriously,glad your ok & the bike minimal damage.
Dave20046
06-11-09, 05:45 PM
Thanks for all the advice and comments peeps.
MBK - Don't get us 2 Amandas confused. I'm the 5' 4" and can only get my toes on the ground when centred. I'm fine when riding, stopping, slow maneuvers, etc. It is purely a reserving or full lock parking issue, if that makes sense.
Anyways, I have been down to Moore again today and they have measured the bike after taking the dog bones out and luckily had some standard ones in stock exactly the right size I need. He is also going to lower the yoke by about an inch on the forks. Whilest we dropped it down I managed to get the ball of my foot down so with the yoke drop I should get the majority of my foot flat. Felt so much better!!
They are such a good bunch down there that "Tubbs" said he has no work in tomorrow so he's going to do the lowering and my mods then have a go at the damaged bung AND then give the bike a good going over to see if there is anything else he can do to help. All at no extra cost!!!
Just out of interest "Tubbs" is featured on page 105 of the December Fast Bikes. So I trust his judgement on the lowering.
Very excited to get my Suzi back on Monday. Whoop whoop
Good luck :)
p.s were the crash bungs cheap cheaps?
p.s were the crash bungs cheap cheaps?
I have no idea - they were already on there!
Nah seriously,glad your ok & the bike minimal damage.
Funny though my left arm is killing me today!! Think I must have strained it trying to keep the bike from falling :(
Will all be good when I get the bike back.
YAY!!! Got the bike back tonight.
What a difference. Can now get my foot flat and even bend my knee when the bike takes my weight. Only rode it back from the garage so I don't know what the implications are on the handling. Parking it up on the front of the house though was so much easier and I felt much more in control.
On the bad side they didn't fit the hugger. The rear tyre is bigger than standard so when they tried the hugger it was rubbing! I still bought it though cos when the tyres wear and need replacing I will put a standard tyre back on. Cowl and light looks amazing though.
Fizzy Fish
08-11-09, 09:01 AM
Cool, glad you are feeling more comfortable with the bike now :D
What a difference. Can now get my foot flat and even bend my knee when the bike takes my weight.
That sounds really good. I'm a bit puzzled how that's been done as I've lowered my bike as much as I can and even lowered the seat and I'm not anywhere near feet flat. Is that just standard dogbones and front forks dropped (and preload/suspension)? Or is there some magic trick?? If so, then I would be really interested to find out. :D
speedplay
08-11-09, 10:58 AM
I'd also suggest getting off to move the bike if you're struggling to get feet down properly - it's the only way I can turn my DRZ around :oops:
Same here with my KTM 520.
If you cant move it around easily, hop off and push it.
That sounds really good. I'm a bit puzzled how that's been done as I've lowered my bike as much as I can and even lowered the seat and I'm not anywhere near feet flat. Is that just standard dogbones and front forks dropped (and preload/suspension)? Or is there some magic trick?? If so, then I would be really interested to find out. :D
Yeah thats all Tubbs did!!! Extended the dog bones as much as he could and lowered the yoke to compensate and make it straight. He had to cut the stand as it wouldn't lean over.
The difference is amazing. When I went to get back on it I swung my leg over as usual and must have looked hilarious cos I cleared the back end like something out of Matrix!!! lol
Still dunno what its gonna be like cornering as I haven't taken her out yet but I'm sure it will be fine.
Ha ha that must have been a funny feeling, sounds good tho.
Do you know how much the forks have been dropped?
No I don't I'm afraid. It is so much different though - I just went to take some piccies of it and normally would push it out and start it up to get it back in. This time I just jumped straight on it and could move it back and forth without breaking a sweat lol
lowered the yoke to compensate and make it straight. He had to cut the stand as it wouldn't lean over.
.
Did you say he put std dog bones on? Because it doesn't sound like they are std, but are longer. Shouldn't be a problem though, glad you are happy - that's the main thing.
What size tyres are on it? you said hugger wouldn't fit
Sorry when I said standard I meant they had them in stock, straight off the shelf. They did say they may have to special order them and thankfully they didn't have to do that.
Yeah hugger doesn't fit round the tyre. Not good with tech stuff but think he said 17 something???? if that makes sense to you? I will ask other half when he comes home from work. They are brand new tyres so will have to wait till they need replacing before getting the hugger on.
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