Leveling links

[ENG2242]

I have noticed the heavy front on my 2013 RSV. I plead ignorance and ask for education. Where are they and how d you install them? Pictures are a great help. Thanks so much, David

[M61A1MECH]

follow this link to the second gen tech section.

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=492

[darthandy]

And here's a link to Diamond R Accessories who have a set of levelling links available for the Venture if you prefer to not make them yourself.

 

http://diamondraccessories.com/yamaha/proddisplay.php?name=Leveling%20Link%20Kit

 

I split the difference last year and bought some T34 stainless that the shop cut to the length I wanted and then I had a machine shop drill them at the right length and finally, I rounded off the ends myself with an angle grinder, being careful not to overheat the metal. It was cheaper than the Diamond R kit and I didn't have to wait for shipping. The biggest difference is that my links don't have the "dog bone" shape since that would have been more expensive to do at the machine shop and wasn't really necessary.

 

It will make a very noticeable difference in the handling of your Venture at all speeds and is well worth the time, trouble and money.

 

Andy

Edited July 13, 2014 by darthandy
Left something out.

[uncledj]

I've a set of leveling links to install on my 06. I have a Rivco centerstand that I'd installed a month or so ago, and was wondering if putting it up on the centerstand would be enough to install the links, or if I'll have to lift the bike further.

???

[Mike G in SC]

The rule of thumb is for each 1/4" you modify the diameter of the holes on the link, you change, raise/lower, the rear by 1".

 

And sometimes the logic escapes me but if you shorten the links, the rear gets higher, lengthen the links, the rear gets shorter. All you got to do is lay on the ground and stare at it a minute to see why.

 

When I LOWERED mine, I also did not want it that low, so I had a shop cut a set in between, "split the difference".

[bill4you502]

I ride "solo", stand 5'7", weigh 185 or so and have to wear 1.5" heeled boots to reach the ground "flat-footed"! Is there any reason for me to want to lower the rear end? Does it really make that much difference in slow speed handling???? :confused24:

[uncledj]

I believe the links commonly discussed actually raise the rear of the bike an inch or so.

I think the reasoning is to shift more of the load towards the front.

[stickhandle2]

Here's a question for the masses, our 02 RSV has had the rear lowered and also the front lowered, if I went with these links in the rear and then took the front back to stock height would I get better handling at slow speeds. I find the bike in its current state handles great when I am solo, but with my co pilot on the back seat it can be a heavy feeling at slow speeds.

 

Just thinking of raising the rear as I am considering pulling a trailer with the RSV.

 

Thanks,

 

Mike.

[Bodaggit23]

Are these leveling links only relevant to 1999-Present Ventures?

 

Could they be used/beneficial for 1996-2001 as well?

[darthandy]

I ride "solo", stand 5'7", weigh 185 or so and have to wear 1.5" heeled boots to reach the ground "flat-footed"! Is there any reason for me to want to lower the rear end? Does it really make that much difference in slow speed handling???? :confused24:

 

Yes, it will make a noticeable difference at all speeds. Handling will be "slower" at higher speeds and at lower speeds the front end wants to "flop" over and it makes precise control more difficult. This is not pleasant when trying to maneuver around a parking lot at low speeds. Just my $.02 worth, but no way would I go back to stock height.

 

Andy

[darthandy]

Are these leveling links only relevant to 1999-Present Ventures?

 

Could they be used/beneficial for 1996-2001 as well?

 

There were no Ventures from 1996 to 1998. Do you perhaps mean the Royal Star and Royal Star Tour Deluxe?

 

Andy

[darthandy]

Here's a question for the masses, our 02 RSV has had the rear lowered and also the front lowered, if I went with these links in the rear and then took the front back to stock height would I get better handling at slow speeds. I find the bike in its current state handles great when I am solo, but with my co pilot on the back seat it can be a heavy feeling at slow speeds.

 

Just thinking of raising the rear as I am considering pulling a trailer with the RSV.

 

Thanks,

 

Mike.

 

Tough question to answer. We would have to know how much the bike was lowered at each end and then how much it would be raised now at each end. It's unlikely that it was dropped the same amount at each end as there is a limit to how far you can drop the front before the handle bar starts hitting the gas tank or some such. Most likely, the rear was dropped an inch and the front was dropped about 1/2 inch. So ... if that's what was done, then the answer to your question is "Yes" - you would get improved handling at all speeds and especially at lower speeds. I really noticed the difference when I raised the rear an inch (Front was at stock height) on mine and I have even thought of raising it another 1/2 inch. Handling was more precise as was control at all speeds. It actually felt a bit "squirrely" at first till I got used to it. I would never go back now. And I think it would definitely help if you are going to pull a trailer as that tends to pull the rear down.

 

Andy

[VentureFar]

I have noticed the heavy front on my 2013 RSV. I plead ignorance and ask for education. Where are they and how d you install them? Pictures are a great help. Thanks so much, David

 

What everyone else said !

I did the links and also the narrow front tire- to me the bike went from feeling like an old no power steering truck to a current power steering.

Someone asked about center stand - Having done it twice - on mine and beastwood the rear tire just needs to be off the ground completely and since you are putting on SHORTER links you may have to do some manuvering to get the bolt through - but honestly I can't remember if I had do change the lift or just pull a little on the shock. - I think just pull a little.

You will notice a big change in the muscle requirement in the twisties.

VentureFar...

[Bodaggit23]

There were no Ventures from 1996 to 1998. Do you perhaps mean the Royal Star and Royal Star Tour Deluxe?

 

Andy

 

Yes, that's what I meant, since I ride a 1997 Tour Deluxe.

 

Do the links fit 1996-2001 Royal Star Tour Deluxe/Classics

and accomplish a similar goal as installing them on the

Royal Star Ventures?

[Neil86]

Yes, that's what I meant, since I ride a 1997 Tour Deluxe.

 

Do the links fit 1996-2001 Royal Star Tour Deluxe/Classics

and accomplish a similar goal as installing them on the

Royal Star Ventures?

 

 

The 96-01 Royal Star used a different linkage system for the rear shock than the 99-up Venture.

If you go to a parts diagram look up Rear Arm, and you can compare.

[M61A1MECH]

The original Royals actually worked so the shock extended to provide damping instead of compressing, and as was said above the linkage is all different. There may be a way to do what you want, but I doubt that the links for a 99 and up Venture will be of any use to you.

[hossman]

I have also changed the leveling links and man what a difference in low speed handling! I will never put the stock ones back on.

 

Hossman

[Bodaggit23]

The 96-01 Royal Star used a different linkage system for the rear shock than the 99-up Venture.

If you go to a parts diagram look up Rear Arm, and you can compare.

 

The original Royals actually worked so the shock extended to provide damping instead of compressing, and as was said above the linkage is all different. There may be a way to do what you want, but I doubt that the links for a 99 and up Venture will be of any use to you.

 

Thank you both!