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Lowering question
- Thread starter twindallas
- Start date
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- Tags
- suspension
Jbinnington
XS650 Addict
Ydyawanna do that? It woe gew rowend cornas!
The rear tyre will scuff the inside of the mudguard and the fork sliders will bottom out on the lower triple clamp...
Nah, go on, do it and tell us what happens
The rear tyre will scuff the inside of the mudguard and the fork sliders will bottom out on the lower triple clamp...
Nah, go on, do it and tell us what happens
Hi jbinn
well, it seems he's already got the fender rub problem aced; he took the fenders off already.
twindallas
XS650 Addict
How much could it be lowered without problems. I just think the street trackers look better a little lower. Thanks!
Jbinnington
XS650 Addict
oh yes, on both ends... Does it not rain in Waco, I wonder? You'd get a frightfully wet bum if it did. Stones thrown up by the tyres might come a bit sharpish too
Jbinnington
XS650 Addict
You will run out of cornering ground clearance at only modest corner speeds. A drag bike look might work, but only in straight lines. You can take Art for Art sake too far and loose functionality.
Stick with the factory geometry and graft in some better components like usd forks and some gas reservoir rear suspension units
Stick with the factory geometry and graft in some better components like usd forks and some gas reservoir rear suspension units
twindallas
XS650 Addict
I might run a narrow street tracker style rear fender eventually, but I don't think I'll run a front fender. I'm a fair weather rider...
Have a look at the underside of the fender and the bracing you have just taken off. The fenders act as a fork brace, as all fenders, but the 77D Standard and on, Standard and Specials, have extra bracing, i guess that is why the handling of the XS650 was considered as coming of age when they were introduced in 1977
My wife wanted a lower seat height on an 82 Heritage special, I installed "rebel shocks" and dropped the forks tubes 1" . I rode it to town for gas, the first time I went left from a stop sign convinced me how dumb riding a lowered XS is. Luckily I just left a trail of sparks and didn't dump it. IMHO there is no point to a motorcycle that can't go around a street corner at a decent speed. C'mon man, how can you get out in traffic if the bike can't corner at least a bit? No bike looks cool sitting unused in back of the garage or wadded up under a parked car....
+1, gggGary! And what's this about a street tracker looking better lowered--Opie, have you ever SEEN a flat tracker?
While you're stylin', think about this. If it goes faster than it looks, it's a motorcycle, and somebody knows how to build. If it looks faster than it goes, it's a pig with lipstick, and somebody knows how to paint.
While you're stylin', think about this. If it goes faster than it looks, it's a motorcycle, and somebody knows how to build. If it looks faster than it goes, it's a pig with lipstick, and somebody knows how to paint.
twindallas
XS650 Addict
Good advice! All the sudden the stock stance is lookin better and better! I rode it on Friday for the first time, and I do like the way it rides and corners. Although my front fender is rusted through, I may consider a replacement. I guess that's why I asked...
Newagerocker
XS650 Addict
Trash can the fender and buy a fork brace. Real trackers are generally higher than street bikes and don't have front fenders.
twindallas
XS650 Addict
I had to trash the fender due to major rust through. Where can I find a fork brace at a reasonable price? Thanks!
FLEA
XS650 Guru
have put rebel shocks on rear for practical reasons but had to take chain guard off as guard is pushed against chain,cutting a bit out of guard could be a option.running pipes(HUGHS) under motor so cornering is no problem
twindallas
XS650 Addict
Thanks for the info!
twindallas
XS650 Addict
Are you talking about the stock front brace? Mine has one, but someone suggested adding a brace. What's the stock rear shock length on the 78 650S? I just think the lower stance looks great, but I don't want it too low that I can't enjoy riding it?
Yeah I know what you mean...I got brace from a friend. .nothing fancy...stock length on rear. ..not sure..I think 12 1/2...I have rebel shocks but even after I removed chain guard looked like chain would hit bottom of shock..I guess I could grind some of it away ...but decided to get the 11 1/2's..plenty clearance never bottomed out. Doesn't rain much in vegas so not worried about front fender til I get pulled over..but getting the brace did tighten it up...made me feel better. lol
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twindallas
XS650 Addict
OK, but are you talking about the stock front fork brace, or something aftermarket? I rode last week with the front fender removed, and the factory brace seemed to give it enough stiffness. I agree that 10.5 may be too low in the back, but I'm looking at some FXR 11.5's that should work. I like your stance, but I want it a bit lower in the front too. Looks like the procedure to lower the front forks is a little much.
