Wilsons Sandbox

Don't do this unless you use your bike only well paved road and you are not more than 150 lbs because it put too much leverage on your suspension

----- Original Message ----- From: To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, May 06, 2001 3:41 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] lowering the KLR > has anyone lowered this bike? what are pro"s and con"s.? what is > physically involved in lowering it? would really apreciate some > information. kingfish > > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Support Dual Sport News by subscribing at: > http://www.dualsportnews.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > >

has anyone lowered this bike? what are pro"s and con"s.? what is physically involved in lowering it? would really apreciate some information. kingfish _______ My friend (and the list's) Verle Nelson and I used to go around on this one. I claimed (with Elden) that the lowering links on the KLR is not a good approach because it lowers the bike without limiting the travel and this was dangerous. Verle wasn't convinced. This is one reason I recommend the DR650 for folks who want a lower seat height as it comes factory ready to be lowered both front and rear by limiting travel. The real solution to lowering the KLR (IMO) is to put on a shorter shock...expensive but available at www.dual-star.com . I had lowering links on my KLR for slightly less than 48 hours as I constantly was crunching already raised license plates and hitting the top of the tire with my fender (running MT21's), in addition (and this was most important [g]) I didn't like what it did to the looks of the bike... Kurt

I weigh in at 150lbs and am 5'10". The lowering links and forks raised 1-1/2" allow me to straddle flat footed. I did have to raise the shock pre-load up to #3 to compensate for the sag. My KLR is ridden 95% on road, and I don't jump anything with it, so I haven't had any dragging or clearance problems I've also shortened the handlebars 1" on each end and removed the windshield and handguards. Buffeting is greatly reduced, but I lost that "power steering" feel 72/73, --Rick, KE4IZH KLR650-A14, IIIc Chesapeake, Va

----- Original Message -----

> has anyone lowered this bike? what are pro"s and con"s.? what is > physically involved in lowering it? would really apreciate some > information. kingfish

I lowered mine Kingfish. Put the links in and used that time to check and lube the bearings. They were in good shape at 8600 miles. This dropped the rear about 1.5"s. Then lowered the front about 1.5 inches. Feet are more solid on the ground. Feel better about doughnutting the bike around on gravel roads and heading the other way. With good tires, yu could probably drag the pegs with a bit of practice. I later spooned on a set of Kendas which brought the bike up a bit. 3.25 front and 5.10 rear. Had to cut down the rear sub-fender and move the licience plate to under the tail light as I was rubbing it badly enuff to tear off pieces of said fender.. This big tire is also rubbing abit on the inner fender sides. Need the stronger spring for the rear big time now. Guess I'll call Fred tomorrow and get it on the way. I have a hyd. jack and a stand I build from 6" Channel iron with the front 12" cut and bent up and rewelded at about a 45 angle. A piece of 1" angle iron is welded across the front to use tie downs to hold the front or back down. After tieing down the front, I jack up the bike to just where the rear tire is touching. Then undo the linkage bolts. When coming apart or going together, you can fine tune the height of the bike so the holes line up with the floor jack. Andy Chesley Jennings, La. KLR & R11RA

> Don't do this unless you use your bike only well paved road and you are > not > more than 150 lbs because it put too much leverage on your suspension > ----- Original Message -----

Not my experience. I'm 5'8" 155. I've ridden with guys with stock height klrs (Rex H, Swede to name two) and find I can go where they go, often with a loaded bike. Now their superior skill is another thing. Still I just follow along and fall occasionally. The White Rim was no problem. Lowering the bike was the single best mod I made and I've made a lot. An aluminum bashplate however, is a must. Bogdan

With exception to that rock and hard place thing off Gold Camp. I know, there were other factors involved, but you were a good sport about it. It's still a fond memory. "Swede"

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Bogdan Swider wrote: > Not my experience. I'm 5'8" 155. I've ridden with guys with stock > height klrs (Rex H, Swede to name two) and find I can go where they go, > often with a loaded bike. Now their superior skill is another thing. Still > I just follow along and fall occasionally. The White Rim was no problem. > Lowering the bike was the single best mod I made and I've made a lot. An > aluminum bashplate however, is a must. Bogdan

> With exception to that rock and hard place thing off Gold Camp. > I know, there were other factors involved, but you were a good > sport about it. It's still a fond memory. "Swede" >

For the enlightenment of those considering low-lifing their klr I suppose I should clear this up. It wasn't the lowered bike that made me turn around. I made the great decision of going on a trail ride with my Givis mounted. There just wasn't enough room between that boulder and pine tree for me to get through. The theory was that I should ride as close as possible with the equipment I run when I adventure tour. Oh well, Bogdan

I had a very small problem with my suspension after lowering the bike. The stock exhaust smacked the swing arm, and put a "bite" into the plastic piece retaining the break line to the swing arm. Resulted in only cosmetic damage. (Thankfully.) My dampening was set at "1". Changed this to "3" and no more problem. Braking works better with new setting, I'm not sure why. I'm 5' 7" 145lbs. (Skinny) Jason