BG Hawks Posted July 7, 2016 #1 Posted July 7, 2016 Finally things have slowed down to check out my favorite site...of course it 10:46pm and I just finished paying bills. Had a family reunion last week and got a ride in with my cousin who I have always thought of as my brother. He is a bigger guy with a 29" in seam. Currently riding a Kawasaki 800; I have told him for years that his bike is too small. Well this past weekend during our ride we switched bikes. First let me tell you that riding that 800 felt like a moped; I was laughing all the way but my butt was hurting missing my ride. I also want to tell you its the first time I heard my bike with someone else ridding and it sounds awesome!! Bub pipes and it has a growl. Back to my brother, he finally discovered what we all know that the RSV (2nd Gen) is a great riding bike. Not trying to argue with any 1st gens as I have never ridden one. He is now convinced that he needs to think about a new bike and is thinking RSV. I gave him the story and told hi, about the family here. With the 29" inseam he struggled a little because he was not flat footed. Done some research on lowering the bikes but thought I would reach out and see if anyone can provide some advice; let me know!
bongobobny Posted July 7, 2016 #2 Posted July 7, 2016 Hmmmm, having a 29" inseam, I will gladly tell you I could NOT flatfoot my 1st gen, it's a tall (but more nimble) bike, but on my 2nd gen I could just flatfoot it barely. I'm sure with lowering it another inch it would have made all the difference in the world, and from what I hear it also makes it handle better at low speeds but I wouldn't know about that as I triked mine instead (Bosses orders)...
cecdoo Posted July 7, 2016 #3 Posted July 7, 2016 On a 2nd gen you can start by having Rick Butler modify your seat, he narrows the front and removes some padding from the seat, it will probably get you 1-1.5" lower. Or you can try a Corbin seat. it will get you 2-2.5" lower, You can also have the corbin modified to get you a good 3" lower then stock. All these do not involve changing the suspension and I have done all 3. If you modified/lowered the suspension you could even get lower. I guess my point is you can modify the 2nd gen to fit just about anyone. Good luck, Craig
eusa1 Posted July 7, 2016 #4 Posted July 7, 2016 the barons lowering kit is a very simple install and does not require any special tools and will give him the flat footing he is looking for. I have installed them on several and the wife has this on her tour deluxe
djh3 Posted July 9, 2016 #5 Posted July 9, 2016 (edited) Another way to lower it for free (except your work) is to lower the front forks in the triple tree. You can lower them about an inch before they will hit the fairing. It actually helps the handling of the bike as it levels it out and you gain about an inch to inch and half at your feet. The Barron's links you have to also install a bracket that moves the caliper so it does not hit some suspension part back there. Knowin what I do now, I think I would go with a Tour Deluxe. Only thing missing is radio, and with the Sena and blue tooth stuff thats easily over come. Edited July 9, 2016 by djh3
Bert2006 Posted July 9, 2016 #6 Posted July 9, 2016 Hmmmm, having a 29" inseam, I will gladly tell you I could NOT flatfoot my 1st gen, it's a tall (but more nimble) bike, but on my 2nd gen I could just flatfoot it barely. I'm sure with lowering it another inch it would have made all the difference in the world, and from what I hear it also makes it handle better at low speeds but I wouldn't know about that as I triked mine instead (Bosses orders)... Not to argue with you, but my experience with a lowered 2nd gen was terrible. When I bought my bike it had the Barons kit installed. The bike handled terribly at low speed and in curves at speed. I took it out and returned it to stock and it fixed 70% of the handling issues. I then put a 130 tire up front and that makes it handle even more nimbly. I would recommend doing seat modifications before lowering at any time on these bikes.
Freebird Posted July 9, 2016 #7 Posted July 9, 2016 I kind of agree that the handling would suffer if ALL you did was lower the rear. These bikes already sit a little low in the rear. That is why many of us add the "leveling links" to raise the rear about an inch and it does improve the handling. So lowering it even more than stock would certainly not improve the handling. I firmly believe that if you DO lower the rear, then you need to lower the front as much as possible to try and level out the bike.
bongobobny Posted July 9, 2016 #8 Posted July 9, 2016 Ah, yes, I was referring to lowering the front!! The easiest way is with the 130 tire but then again lowering the forks is cheaper but it is very important to make sure the forks are as equal distance as humanly possible...
BG Hawks Posted July 10, 2016 Author #10 Posted July 10, 2016 Thanks all! I have passed on to my brother and will let you know if he joins the family.
WildBill1 Posted July 10, 2016 #11 Posted July 10, 2016 Check out my ad in the classifieds. Have lowered several front and back I also service the rear end as a bonus.
garyS-NJ Posted July 10, 2016 #12 Posted July 10, 2016 Is think dropping the fork tubes through the triple tree along with the rear lowering kit would reduce high speed stability (and maybe make it tip over in turns quicker). Worth a try as its reversible but I'm trying to address a high speed stability issue on my first gen so even tho I hate it at low speeds (say riding around a camp field), I wouldn't do it to mine.. Why not try a harley? Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk
cowpuc Posted July 11, 2016 #13 Posted July 11, 2016 Is think dropping the fork tubes through the triple tree along with the rear lowering kit would reduce high speed stability (and maybe make it tip over in turns quicker). Worth a try as its reversible but I'm trying to address a high speed stability issue on my first gen so even tho I hate it at low speeds (say riding around a camp field), I wouldn't do it to mine.. Why not try a harley? Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk Tracking right there with ya Gary!! If I were gonna do it - I would measure "Trail" before and after the change before I rode it.. Just guessing,, I would say these bikes are set up with 5 inches or more of positive trail,, I want to make sure I stayed above 3 1/2 inches of trail before I went high speed chasing... On another note - I LOVE our site because of the vast knowledge/been there done that info out there.. Unlike the old days of raking and chopping - the trial and error days can be long gone:missingtooth:
WildBill1 Posted July 16, 2016 #14 Posted July 16, 2016 I had an 06 Venture which was lowered front and back a full 1.5". Handling was improved greatly over the factory setup no more weaving back and forth taking off from dead stop or doing a balancing act at low speed going thru parking lots. Also, no effect at 90 to 100 plus mph. with a Dunlop rear tire which came on it or a Kumho C/T that was installed later. I wouldn't have performed this mod. on my bike or anyone else's bike if I hadn't fully tried this mod. out and felt comfortable with it. To lower on the back I used the Baron's Lowering Kit. Front was lowered by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple-tree an 1.5". By leveling the bike and lowering it from factory setting it was like nite and day in handling characteristics.
garyS-NJ Posted July 18, 2016 #15 Posted July 18, 2016 I had an 06 Venture which was lowered front and back a full 1.5". Handling was improved greatly over the factory setup no more weaving back and forth taking off from dead stop or doing a balancing act at low speed going thru parking lots. Also, no effect at 90 to 100 plus mph. with a Dunlop rear tire which came on it or a Kumho C/T that was installed later. I wouldn't have performed this mod. on my bike or anyone else's bike if I hadn't fully tried this mod. out and felt comfortable with it. To lower on the back I used the Baron's Lowering Kit. Front was lowered by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple-tree an 1.5". By leveling the bike and lowering it from factory setting it was like nite and day in handling characteristics. Interesting Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk
Snowtop57 Posted August 2, 2016 #16 Posted August 2, 2016 But lowering the rear looks so good. That is a very nice looking Venture.
djh3 Posted August 2, 2016 #17 Posted August 2, 2016 All I lowered was the forks in the front. I had digital calipers and measured from top of the triple tree to I think a ridge at top of fork tube. Came up with same measurement and locked it down.
videoarizona Posted August 3, 2016 #18 Posted August 3, 2016 I lowered my front as well...and it made a positive difference for my being more comfortable at slow speeds especially parking lots and gas stations. Cruise at 75 or 80 all day long with bursts above the century mark and high speed stability is still excellent. I'm going to lower the front a tad more since I was able to move the fairing up a little and give more room for the bars. Do this when I take my forks apart. Then I'll get a 130 tire and I should be nimble as can be. VMax the rear end for better acceleration in all gears and I'll be done. DONE, I say! (hah)
McNeil239 Posted October 3, 2016 #19 Posted October 3, 2016 Can I get detailed instructions on lowering front triple tree. I have a 2010 Royal Star Venture 1300. The seat is 29 1/2" . I have short legs and I am tip toes when stopped. I have mechanic who will do the work for me, but would like a very detailed instructions. Any and all info will be greatly appreciated. As soon as possible. The weather up north is going to change fast!!
Barrycuda Posted October 4, 2016 #20 Posted October 4, 2016 the barons lowering kit is a very simple install and does not require any special tools and will give him the flat footing he is looking for. I have installed them on several and the wife has this on her tour deluxe +1. I had it on my previous 2003 without any other modifications and it worked just fine. Matter of fact, there were no issues riding the dragon, and taking the RLAP course.
videoarizona Posted October 4, 2016 #21 Posted October 4, 2016 (edited) Can I get detailed instructions on lowering front triple tree. I have a 2010 Royal Star Venture 1300. The seat is 29 1/2" . I have short legs and I am tip toes when stopped. I have mechanic who will do the work for me, but would like a very detailed instructions. Any and all info will be greatly appreciated. As soon as possible. The weather up north is going to change fast!! Don't know about detailed from me....But older posts combined have all the info to lower the front end. I'll see if I can find them, but a search using various front end terms like front forks, or, lower front end should do the trick. I just did mine again.. Lowered more, and it took less than 40 minutes seconds time around. Basically: 1: raise bike on lift. Use a brace on frame so engine parts not hurt. 2: take off front wheel, or not. You can push front end down both forks together or separately. If separate, then take off front fender. 2.5: remove top screws, one leftside, one right on back side of inner fairing. That allows removal of chrome plastic windshield trim and exposes windshield screws. 3: remove outer fairing,taking off three screws each side. Suggest you lay screws out in order so you know which ones go where. Last remove screw on bottom headlight trim. Hold fairing. 4: remove bars and hang up out of way. Take handlebar wires out of plastic hose on bars. 5: remove two bolts on side of headlight & two nuts behind headlight mount. 6: remove gas tank plastic cover and gas tank. Gets it out of way. Maybe do this one before #4 . 7: remove two bolts in front of triple tree that holds inner fairing to triple tree. 7.5 pull inner fairing forward about 5 inches and stuff a towel in that to hold it. Or I tied handlebars up and forward... Pulling inner fairing out of way. 8: remove stem nut from triple tree. 9: loosen 4 bolts, two on each side of triple tree. Side triple tree up and off. 10: lift off top fork covers. Mark forks tube at bottom of exposed area so you have a reference. 11: loosen two bolts on each side of lower triple tree..careful here... Forks may move! 12: raise field tubes up in lower triple tree about one inch. Maybe sure both are even. Put back together. Sounds like a lot of work but really isn't. Some steps can be omitted.... But this is easiest way for first time. I'll try and find links that site these steps, but fyi, I found them with pictures on this forum using search tool. Edited October 4, 2016 by videoarizona Clarification. Tired last night!!
videoarizona Posted October 4, 2016 #22 Posted October 4, 2016 http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?122351-Front-Fork-Oil-Leak
Freebird Posted October 4, 2016 #23 Posted October 4, 2016 That link didn't work for some reason. I don't know if this is the one you are trying to link or not. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?939-Lowering-the-Front-End
videoarizona Posted October 4, 2016 #24 Posted October 4, 2016 (edited) That link didn't work for some reason. I don't know if this is the one you are trying to link or not. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?939-Lowering-the-Front-End Thanks, Don. Not the link. I was going for the procedure in the other library.... Edited October 4, 2016 by videoarizona
videoarizona Posted October 4, 2016 #25 Posted October 4, 2016 Here is more info... http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?18414-Need-help-Lowering-the-Front-end
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