Lowering SV650s 99 curvy?

Hi

I picked up a 99 curvy for the wife last night, today i have changed the seat for a lowered one and also swapped the dogbones for 120mm centre to centre which advised a 45mm drop at the rear. The forks were flush with the top yoke so i have set the forks to 15mm through the yokes to the top of the fork tube not the nut.

My query is when i have taken the bike out for a test everything was fine stability turn in etc... the problem came when i tried hands off the bars, from a deceleration from 50mph the bars are shaking. I checked and set tyre pressures to 33 and 36 before setting off tyre profile looks ok had a feel of bearings while working on the front end ok, re checked all fork yoke nuts tight twice before setting off aswell.

I did try a couple of times on the way home from picking up yesterday before work done today hands off and all ok but not sure if i tried at a speed of 50 or not.

I am not sure if the forks should be even lower than the 15mm or if 15mm might be to much, just wondered if anybody had experience on correct compensation drop for the rear lowering or any other suggestions to check.

The lowering is needed as with the lower seat and lowering dogbones she can just touch the floor tiptoe.

Thanks
Nik

[Sid Squid]

Tyre wear, wheel alignment. Lowering doesn't do anything to improve handling, but it shouldn't shake it's head that much.

Thanks for the reply, as i say tyres, bearings etc all ok. It doesnt bother me but 1. it shouldnt be doing it so something not correct and 2. the wife is going to be riding it as a new rider. My Vfr does it with the top box on but fine without.
Anyother suggestions greatly received and would like somebody with the know to confirm raising the forks 15mm through the top yoke ok for the lowering dogbones fitted.
Thanks

[jambo]

15mm is quite a bit, check that the forks aren't going to hit the bottom yoke on full compression (I think the travel is 120mm from fully extended).

As for the rest of it, check the suspension is in good working order (as in the sag is something like right, and the damping isn't completely shot)

Jambo

How tall is your wife? I can personally recommend the Daytona Ladystar boots - they have a built up sole which makes a huge difference to us shorter people plus they are fantastic boots.

being only 5ft 1, i did the cheaper option as i had only just bought some new boots, i got another sole glued onto my boots , not really noticable, the bloke charged me £8 to do it, added a bit more hight for me to reach the floor, we had to adjust the gear lever slightly but it did help

Dont even go there with the boots.... because she is so short her calfs are quiet low so we always have a struggle getting boots to fit correctly.

Originally Posted by jandn1

Dont even go there with the boots.... because she is so short her calfs are quiet low so we always have a struggle getting boots to fit correctly.

Honestly, have a look at the Ladystars - I'm 5 foot and have exactly the same problem. The boots are great though as there is velcro on the inside, back and outside so you can adjust everything around the calves.

Originally Posted by Kate

Honestly, have a look at the Ladystars - I'm 5 foot and have exactly the same problem. The boots are great though as there is velcro on the inside, back and outside so you can adjust everything around the calves.

Cheers for that Kate, had a look at the boots and they do look fantastic.... but............... Not got that sort of funds at the moment.

[mikerj]

Did you lower the forks one side at a time or both together? Is it possible the forks have become twisted?