dsn_klr650 lowered klr

[Jud Jones]

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

> > Hi guys > Just had my 2"links installed and the new sidestand. Love the > height of the seat now - I can almost get on without my wife giving > me a legup. The only annoyance is the way the sidestand tries to > keep me upright in corners. It has definitely limited the > clearance on the left hand side although at the rate I was wearing > it down it won't be a problem too much longer as long as I don't get > chucked off. It might have a bit to do with the fact that I'm > vertically challenged but horizontally gifted. You know - KLR 2" > lower with about 285 lbs on it. > > Can anyone tell me whether a sidestand is gunna solve these > clearance problems. It's nowhere near as much fun sitting upright > through those left handers just over the hill.

If you are dragging your sidestand in turns, then either the stand is bent, or something is seriously wrong with your suspension setup. At the very least, you need some more preload on the rear spring. The lowering links increase the swing arm's leverage on the spring, in effect softening the spring rate. Thus your bike not only sits lower than stock unladen, but the spring sags more than it would ordinarily. It sounds like your bike is not only dangerously low, but your suspension doesn't have much compression travel left to spare. Cranking up the preload to the max will help some, but it sounds like a new spring is in order. At 250 lb, I found I needed a stiffer spring even without having lowered the bike. You will probably find that a 500lb or 600 lb spring (stock is 285) will actually soften the ride, since your suspension must now bottom out even on small bumps. You can mount a heavier spring on the stock shock for about $100.00. Progressive Suspension has a 500-560 spring, and perhaps a stiffer one as well. Straight rate springs are available from eshocks.com. You might also consider an aftermarket shock sprung for your weight. More preload or a stiffer spring will raise the ride height, but you can get some of that back with a dished Corbin seat, which is narrower than stock near the nose.