Wilsons Sandbox

On Fri, 8 Aug 2003, jrgtenna wrote:

> Help. > I need to lower my 03 KLR an inch or two in order to reach the > ground and would appreciate any information anyone might have...do I > need to lower both the front and back?? specific makes of lowering > kits etc > Thanks in advance

If you know for sure just how much you want to lower it then the regular kits are fine, but if you want the ability to try different lowering levels then you should check out: http://www.scootworks.com/ They have a 3 position kit. It is advised that you lower the front an equal amount to preserve the original geometry of the bike. Note that if you lower it more then 1 inch you are likely to also need to shorten your kick stand. -- Doug Herr doug@...

Have you thought about just getting a dished Corbin seat? Rick

> Help. > I need to lower my 03 KLR an inch or two in order to reach the > ground and would appreciate any information anyone might have...do

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> need to lower both the front and back?? specific makes of lowering > kits etc > Thanks in advance > Jim

Pete, My A7 was set about 1-1/2" low in the front when I got it. When replacing the fork boots I set the forks to the "normal" position. My feeling is much like yours, the bike handled better with the front end lowered. Eric in Pa

> > From: "pete88chester" > Date: 2003/08/08 Fri PM 02:59:49 EDT > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Lowering > > Jim: First try just lowering just the front end, no cost & just a > little work. What you do is slide the forks up in the triple clamps, > which brings the front frame down a little. I slid mine up one inch > & it had no adverse effects on handling, matter of fact it seemed to > handle better.

I can't answer on how the ride is. I was just going to let you or anybody else on the list know if they are interested, I have a lowering kit available. it is a set of lowering links and a shorter kickstand to match that came with my used KLR650 when I bought it. I think the entire kit lowers the bike 1.5 inches. I think it is new. I have never looked up to see what these are worth but if you are interested let me know. --- dickersonb16 wrote:

> HOW IS THE RIDE AFTER A 2 INCH LOWERING KIT? OR > SHOULD I TIPPY TOE > >

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--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "dickersonb16" wrote:

> > HOW IS THE RIDE AFTER A 2 INCH LOWERING KIT? OR SHOULD I TIPPY TOE >

Smile. The 'ride' will be the same--it is the effect that the bumps will have that will change significantly. You have subtracted/abandoned ~1/3 of the compressibility/range of the KLR rear suspension, and you will know about it very soon if you ride the bike off road with any degree of vigor. My bike is 'stock' height with a 450# heavier rear-spring, and I still manage to occasionally get full compression of the suspension, cough, when riding to the next impact zone. Others have used the Corbin dipped/shorter seat to achieve a similar result without messing with the suspension. Reading the list wisdom, I know the dipped seat creates a different set of +/- factors, of which I have no experience. Another little trick is to slide the forks up in the triple trees 2" as well. Others may comment on the engineering/dynamics of the shorter suspension. One thing for sure, if you are uncomfortable with the seat height, the bike will not be much fun to ride, and perhaps, even dangerous. shrug. Some have suggested, lowering until you have the dynamics of the bike figured out, then switching back to the stock height; back at the stock height, sliding the butt off the seat to one side when you need to fully stop works well for many. One word of caution, DO NOT allow the bike to fall on your leg/foot at the stop light/gas station/trail tip over, as the forces are sufficient to break bones, as attested and proven by others on the list. When it is going to fall, get away from it before it falls on you. cough. That also includes when going over the handlebars, let go (said that last part for myself....) sigh. Not that I always ride/listen/do as well as I 'talk'. Yeah, some of you resemble that remark as well. smile. revmaaatin.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "dickersonb16" wrote:

> HOW IS THE RIDE AFTER A 2 INCH LOWERING KIT? OR SHOULD I TIPPY TOE

Softer, because you've changed the mechanical advantage on the rear shock with a longer lever. This is okay for the street, but if you go offroad you *will* slam your back tire into your rear fender and leave your license plate and inner fender on the trail behind you. If you intend to ride off-road at any point in time, probably the max you should lower the bike is 1" and add a stiffer rear spring. You'll still clearance the rear fender slightly (and need to relocate the license plate higher) but at least you won't just rip the thing off entirely.

After I put in the one inch lowering links, the sidestand was just as always, and the ground clearance too. In my way of figuring things out, the only things which changes after installing lowering links is the distance between the top of the bike and the swing arm, so the seat and the fender are closer to the ground, not the ground clearance, because the diameter of the wheels stays the same. Now, I am an idiot, so people like Fred and Mike and Greg should pipe in and set things right. Also I had an issue with the bike bottoming out, so just one hour ago I put the stock links back in. Some of the questions I see on this page could have been mine, pretty dumb, so read your manuals, and don t screw up first, and then after that consult the manual, like I do. It saves money and time. Jacostarica. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ