Thanks Carbon_One

[darthandy]

First I want to thank Larry for sending me stock links for my bike. I was looking forward to installing them. Now this is where things get weird.

 

When I bought the bike two years ago, the seller told me that a previous owner had installed a lowering kit but he wasn't sure how much of a drop it was. It did have the underslung caliper to get that away from the fender. So, I went to the garage today to start the job and the first thing I noticed is a code number "4XY" on the link on the bike. I realized that it was the same number as on the links Larry sent me. So I pulled out one of Larry's links and put one end over the end of the bolt for the link on the bike and one over the head of the upper bolt. The "8" on the head of the bolt is dead center in the mounting hole of the other link. They are the same length!! It's only speculation, but I think that a previous owner replaced the links from the lowering kit but, for whatever reason, left the new caliper bracket on the bike. It would seem that what I will need is levelling links.

 

Why would someone claim to have a lowering kit installed if they've removed the links. This doesn't make any sense at all! I can only guess that the guy may have meant that he was leaving the caliper bracket for the kit and was misunderstood. I don't see the sense of keeping the links but not the caliper bracket. People can be a bit strange at times.

 

Andy

[eusa1]

I have the stock caliper locator bracket if you need it?

Mike

[darthandy]

I have the stock caliper locator bracket if you need it?

Mike

 

Thanks, but I think I'll leave it this way. If I ever sell the bike, it could be a selling point that the buyer wouldn't need the full kit to lower the bike - just the links.

 

Andy

[Mike G in SC]

I put the rear lowering kit on both my bikes.

Later, I thought they were too low (scraping pipes and handling).

So, I had a fab shop make mid-length links to drop approximately 3/4", instead of 1 1/2".

Just right.

 

That works with my RSTD which was lowered about 3/4 in the front. Level, but a bit lower.

 

 

Then, when I got my RSV front lowered, I went back to the stock links cause lowering the front 1 1/2" was sufficient to get my feet solid. And, this makes a great RSV ride for me with the steering.

SO,,, my RSV has the caliper relocation and stock links,,,,, like yours.

 

Curious,, is the front of your bike lowered? (You can tell by the tubes extending above the triple tree,,, not flush.) If so, someone may have gone through the same process I did.

 

Mike G.

 

Oh,,, and leave the lower caliper bracket on. It make it real easy to check and replace rear brake pads!

[darthandy]

Actually, I hadn't noticed if the forks look lowered. I'll check tomorrow. I'd forgotten about the lowered caliper making some brake work easier. Yet another reason to leave it alone. By the way, I seem to remember a thread stating that 5/8 in. was the most you could lower the bike on the forks without the bars hitting something. Does that 1 1/2 in. drop cause you any problems at full lock?

 

 

Andy

[Mike G in SC]

Actually, I hadn't noticed if the forks look lowered. I'll check tomorrow. I'd forgotten about the lowered caliper making some brake work easier. Yet another reason to leave it alone. By the way, I seem to remember a thread stating that 5/8 in. was the most you could lower the bike on the forks without the bars hitting something. Does that 1 1/2 in. drop cause you any problems at full lock?

 

 

Andy

 

Andy,

I have bottomed the front a few times, with bad bumps or potholes. But no fender dents,,, yet.

If I had it to do again, I might have gone 1" instead of the 1 1/2".

Because of that, I do have my front forks at 7 lbs to buffer it better (used to put 4 lbs).

 

And the bars, we did have to turn them up max to miss the tank and my knees.

But, because of the fairing, you are limited on how much you can turn them (stock bars).

Funny thing was, when I left Wild Bill's house, I realized you will have to make full adjustments on the mirrors!

 

But, the day we lowered it, my wife said she feels a lot more secure knowing my feet are flat at stop.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Mike G in SC