Lowering a bike?

[IronBagel]

So I'm kinda new to this whole thing and was wondering what lowering a bike involves. Just trying to get a feel for if I could tackle it myself. Any pointers are appreciated.

 

[VonYinzer]

What bike? Why are you lowering it? What sort of mechanical knowledge/skill do you have? It can be done somewhat easily, but easy is subjective.

 

[IronBagel]

It's a 74' CB450, I'm lowering it for aesthetic purposes, mainly to give it a more aggressive stance. As far as mechanical knowledge goes I'm so-so. I can do basic stuff, but I do have some people that could pretty easily help me out.

 

[VonYinzer]

Ok. Well, you can buy shorter shocks for the rear. Don't skimp though. Spend as much as you can afford on the best you can buy.

Up front, you can internally lower the forks pretty easily. There are a bunch of threads here on DTT explaining how. Just don't go nuts. Small changes make big differences on motorcycles. Anything more than 2" is too much IMO.

Also, keep in mind that lowering the bike changes how it handles and feels out on the road and also limits your ability to corner aggressively without rearsets and (sometimes) modifying your exhaust system for clearance.

 

[IAMBLAMB]

Here's a good tutorial.

http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45166

 

[IronBagel]

Cool, on the rear shocks thing what would you recommend? I'm looking to lower it about 1.5 inches, because any more than that and it'd be kinda impractical.

 

[VonYinzer]

I'd say shocks that are 1.5" shorter than the stock ones. Haha...

Measure from the center of the top mounting "eye" to the center of the bolt hole in the bottom clevis. Subtract 1.5". Go find shocks. Send me $10000. In that order.

 

[IronBagel]

You sure you don't want the $ in advance? What a swell guy! Any how thanks for the advice!

 

[VonYinzer]

Haha. Good luck man. There are a million different "shorty" shocks out there. Like I said, spend as much as you can afford to or look for good deals on used stuff. The better pieces can be rebuilt.

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

If you ride mildly, lowering may be o.k. On a stock CB350 or my present CB360, I tend to occasionally grind the pegs in curves. If I lowered it, I couldn't ride like that, as more hard parts would be grinding on the pavement. Plus I personally don;t like the handling lowering does. (BTDT)

 

[xb33bsa]

lowering your bike may somehow in your mind make it look more aggressive but you are really turning it into a less capable less aggressive machine in doing so