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. 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

[fizzwheel]

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.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

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]

Originally Posted by Amanda

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

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.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

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

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!!!!

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.