lowering the front end, 2nd post

[zippome]

Hey everyone,

I'm in the middle of a bit of a build at the moment and i had some questions about lowering the front end. The rear has been lowered 4 inches with some hard tail bracket and i am currently working on lowering the front end as well. I basically wanted to ask if it would be safe and if there were any major drawback from raising the fork tubes to level out the ride height a bit. Is there a maximum amount it is safe to raise them? Is 2 inches too much? What are my other options?

Thanks a ton,
Mark

[zippome]

anyone?

[Big B]

Originally Posted by zippome

Hey everyone,

I'm in the middle of a bit of a build at the moment and i had some questions about lowering the front end. The rear has been lowered 4 inches with some hard tail bracket and i am currently working on lowering the front end as well. I basically wanted to ask if it would be safe and if there were any major drawback from raising the fork tubes to level out the ride height a bit. Is there a maximum amount it is safe to raise them? Is 2 inches too much? What are my other options?

Thanks a ton,
Mark

what kinda bike? Pertinent info is always needed!

[zippome]

Originally Posted by Big B

what kinda bike? Pertinent info is always needed!

Sorry about that. 1994 vt1100 as seen in my other thread,

Just another intro thread

[Roadrash53]

Most top trees have a lip or stop to keep the fork tubes from rising above the tree. If you bike doesn't have that lip, then it would be OK to just raise the forks to level out the bike, but not more than an inch or two. If you do have that lip on the top tree, then your real only option is to buy shorter fork tubes. Don't cut the inner springs, don't cut the fork tubes. Put a band of tape on the forks tubes about four inches above the fork legs. Now, measure the distance between the top of the fork leg and the tape. Compress the forks until the bike is level. Measure again. The difference between the two measurements is the amount of length that you need to shorten your fork tubes.

[zippome]

Originally Posted by Roadrash53

Most top trees have a lip or stop to keep the fork tubes from rising above the tree. If you bike doesn't have that lip, then it would be OK to just raise the forks to level out the bike, but not more than an inch or two. If you do have that lip on the top tree, then your real only option is to buy shorter fork tubes. Don't cut the inner springs, don't cut the fork tubes. Put a band of tape on the forks tubes about four inches above the fork legs. Now, measure the distance between the top of the fork leg and the tape. Compress the forks until the bike is level. Measure again. The difference between the two measurements is the amount of length that you need to shorten your fork tubes.

I dont have that lip you were talking about. Im going to lower the front about 2 inches to get a more level ride and will see how it feels. If i dont end up liking it, i will end up getting new internals.

Any word on something like this?

87-07 HONDA 1100 Shadow/Ace/Spirit/Sabre Progressive Front Fork Lowering Kit | eBay

[Outkast78]

Should be safe if there is no stop lip, that is a classic honda adjustment. I've done it on my 350xr and it takes a pounding and they have never moved

[zippome]

Thanks for all the info everyone