height adjustable shock for 1988 Yamaha Venuter

[Geobob]

I need to lower a first gen Venture for my wife. I have read through all the old threads and have a few important questions if anyone knows the answer please let know or help me find where to look.

 

1: Does anyone know what the fork travel is. It looks to only be about 3-4 inches and that means the front fork tube could be slid up 2-3 inches. The air system was removed after adding progressive springs. There also looks like enough room above the top triple clamp but I have not tried it yet. Might loose some plastic parts. If stiffer springs are installed I think I might be able to reduce the fork travel is clearance is an issue after sliding them up further. Has anyone tried this

 

2: Does anyone know what the rear suspension travel is. From what I have seen, there are no kits available like there is for some other bikes like my Vstar. I have a call into Works Performance to see if I can get them to provide a shock and spring set up that would be height adjustable and maybe have a spring strong enough to handle the load under the possibly shorter travel. This appears to be the only option other than lower profile tires. I have tried riding without air in the stock shock and it was not good.

 

I have a hard time believing that no one has ever tried replacing the rear shock to achieve this. I have also been told that many people are installing air adjustable suspension systems on their bike these days so maybe more options are available than 10 years ago.

 

Other things investigated are lowering and narrowing the seat, Corbin has one with a back rest for only $736. I would rather spend that on the shock. I had the seat on my 88 carved down at Americade about 20 years ago and it works wonderfully. Maybe there is still enough foam in there to take off some more material and get it another inch lower.

 

 

 

And yes we have discussed the idea of riding in platform boots but she is not a big fan of Kiss lol.

[snyper316]

I need to lower a first gen Venture for my wife.

 

And yes we have discussed the idea of riding in platform boots but she is not a big fan of Kiss lol.

 

Dumb Question. What is the bike in the picture?

[Geobob]

Dumb Question. What is the bike in the picture?

 

That is a Victory Vision. That bike has a seat height of 26.5 inches. If she can ride that I am sure she will enjoy the Venture.This was the BMW GL1600 we test drove. That bike has a nice narrow seat that I think was 28.5 inches

[snyper316]

Well don't know about 88's, but I run my 83 with 12 psi in front and 35 in the back and I have 30 inseem. The only time I have a problem is when there is ruts in the pavement.

 

Twist the handle and move!!!

[GaryZ]

The front forks have collars for the air suspension that will not allow the forks to be slid up in the trees. Since you have removed the air in front, you may be able to remove the collars and somehow seal the holes. Then the fork legs can be slid up. Front wheel travel is 5.5 inches stock.

 

Ground clearance in back is at a premium. The rear wheel travel is only 4.1 inches and I easily drag my center stand riding double. You might be able to run less air in the rear shock to get her down, but, I would suggest removing the center stand. Modifying the seat is probably the better idea.

 

Use foot pegs instead of floor boards along with the modified seat . . .

 

Good Luck!

[Geobob]

I just got off the phone with Works Performance and it does not look good. He informed that because it is such a compact shock in the first place he has nothing to work with. The best he could do is maybe an inch at the seat but the possibility of a poor riding shock is really high. At $1000 it was not something he suggested. We discussed the linkage and he did not think you could do much there either. It is just not a bike that can be lowered other than the seat.

 

I was really hoping something could be done.

[Freebird]

You might check with Rick Butler about lowering the stock seat. I know he has done a few of them and it will be a LOT less money.

[cecdoo]

I had Rick narrow and cut out my 87 seat. Probably got me 1.5" lower, it was definetly worth the $$$$$ I dont think you will ever get the seat ht down to 26" on a 1st gen tho. One of the reasons I bought a 2nd gen. it is possible to get one of those down to 26" pretty easy.

 

Craig

[cowpuc]

Our new 83 has a non OEM - complete Progressive rear shock and it sets a lot lower than the stock shock. Low enough that the side stand should be altered for its ride height - because of its progressively wound spring - it handles our two up weight really well BUT - we have yet to run it fully loaded with all of our gear on it in the two tracks and stuff - I have a hunch that i will be switching back to OEM for more travel rather then contacting Progressive for a heavier spring (I have 3 stock shocks to work with) - would be willing to sell the progressive at a reasonable $ if I did - thinking it should fit all 1st Gens - got about 15k miles on it. Ride height ride now is at about 28 inches.. I was reading in the info the Larry gave me on the bike and, if I recall correctly, it is a "420" series shock - might be worth checking into.. May still be available new too..

Another alternative is to go with Progressive springs in the front forks with no preload (or very little - just enough to keep the forks from making noise "topping". I run an inch of preload in my forks and it gives lots of travel - perfect for two tracking 2 up fully geared with no bottoming. Gotta imagine that lowering the forks by removing the preload and running progressives would be no problem as far as bottoming out for a one up application and would run it down easily another 1/2 inch or more.. You would want to run no air pressure in the forks and run at baseline oil height or maybe even a little low (I usually run an extra 20cc of oil for added stiffness).

How did your wife do with the Beemer Geo? She handle 28 inch height ok? I can totally understand the Vision "feel".. I test rode a Vision 8 Ball (think that was what it was called) a couple years ago = AMAZING SCOOT!!! I nicknamed it the "weeble" because it reminded me of that ol song = weebles may wobble but they wont fall down.. I could THRASH that Vision in the corners and it felt like you couldnt make fall over if you wanted it to. Definitely think a person would be very hard pressed to get one of these old Ventures to handle like that - totally different frame geometry happening there I think..