Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
We noticed you are blocking ads. DO THE TON only works with community supporters. Most are active members of the site with small businesses. Please consider disabling your ad blocking tool and checking out the businesses that help keep our site up and free.
Well i want to lower my front forks but i am not sure how much i can. i have a 78 hawk and it feels like its way to high in the front and i want to lower it to a more aggressive looking stance but how much can i lower it before its usless ?
how hard do you ride ? how fast? any amount you lower it will compromise lean angle clearance,
you may be safe going as much as 1 " ,go too far and you may create a deathtrap
Many people slide the forks up through the trees by up to an inch and don't die (I did it on my XS650). Don't combine that with taller rear shocks though - double whammy and you'll end up with screwy steering geometry. Bikes were designed by engineers smarter than most of us.
What have you done about the handlebars etc.?
Is this the bike we're talking about? It's not high by any stretch I'd suggest. Let's see pics of your bike.
the 400 hawk was a good handling bike, in 1978 i had 2 riding buddies that bought them new and i had an rd350
they could almost keep up
we didnt know what an aggressive stance was back then, we just rode the dang things
Well the bike is being put together right so there is not a good view but I measured out the hight and it was 3 inches lower to get it to the spot I want
Are you building a bike to look at, or one to ride? Chances are when you are sitting on the bike it will be lower, if not you have something drastically wrong with the fork. 3"? You have effectively taken away 1/2 the fork travel, and there is no chance of riding that and not having it bottom out on something.
I'm surprised with all the talk of stance thee days on bike that no one puts air caps on the forks and carries around a little pump. You could drop it just like a a car on air bags in the parking lot (well to a certain extent anyway)
i think that i will lower it after i get the new tires and rims painted if needed i also did not think that the bike would weigh it down too. but i am only 117 pounds so i don't know how much that will make a difference Thank you for all the reply's i will only lower it about an inch i think
That's a boulevard cruiser, and you wouldn't want to get into an emergency situation with it. Great for going in a straight line.
Until the bike is sitting on its two wheels with you on it etc, don't sweat the ride height. If slamming it is what you want, which is totally fine, then you can do that once the bike is running and more or less finished. You can shorten the forks 'properly' by cutting the springs and machining spacers to sit on the dampening rods, or slide them up the trees. Match with short rear shocks and some close hugging fenders and you're done.
Just don't hit a pothole, speed bump or expect any form of handling while you're grabbing a handful of front brake and swerving around the cager in front of you who decided they needed to stop NOW.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.