A question that's been bugging me.......

[Swagger]

What's with people lowering the back of their bikes? It makes them handle poorly not to mention dragging earlier in a corner compounding the poor handling. As well, you lose suspension travel making for not so much fun if you ever get into rough pavement.

I dunno, it's not criticism directed at anyone or their personal taste, just my urge to understand.

 

[JRK5892]

do not know if i would completely agree with that... your suspension depends on the shocks that your run not just the height... ultimatly the trail of the bike will decide how it handles, as long as you do not break an access point and thow of the trail you will be fine, problems come in dropping the rear too much and affecting your fall away, that creates slop in the front end and will give you bad handling... my st bob is dropped 3 in... for a HD that is HUGE... i can still cut turns like no ones busn..(for a harley) i compinsate for the drop buy using an air ride... still drops me but allows me to stiffen the ride to my choosing... you can get gas charged shocks for the cafe builds... i like LOW bikes... draggggggin low... here is my HD and my current project, real low!(yes i know on the 350 i have to bend the pipes still, i have not decided what type of exhaust i am going to make for it yet)
in fact all the track bikes (rockets) i have built i will drop them 2 in in back and 1.6 in front, run a thicker fork oil and progressive springs in the front with duel dampers, in the rear a stiffer shock... lower means the bike will hold the track and truely allow you to cut your turns...

 

[Swagger]

No offense, but I just don't buy it. Not when referencing a "HardleyAbleTo" bobber (pretty bike by the way). So far as I can see it's all a style thing and that's totally cool. However saying that lowering the bike makes it stick better is like saying that drinking beer through a straw makes it taste different. Physics is physics is physics. The only thing you do by lowering the bike is to kill the ground clearance which is essential to high speed cornering. The sooner you start dragging things the less your total potential lean angle is. Even transitions would be so minimally effected as to make it worthless in light of the previously mentioned loss of lean angle.

But....I'm willing to be convinced by someone who has track experience. I have a bit, mainly taken 3 Reg Pridmore courses and lots of track days, but there's always someone with better info.

 

[woody1981]

Honestly. I think it's just a trend within the cafe world right now. My CL is lowered 1.5" front and rear... I specifically lowered the front the same about so as not to change the trail. I probably wouldn't have done it if I didn't live in Kansas where the roads are long and straight cruising through the wheat fields.

- Woody

 

[locOleoN]

Honestly. I think it's just a trend within the cafe world right now. My CL is lowered 1.5" front and rear... I specifically lowered the front the same about so as not to change the trail. I probably wouldn't have done it if I didn't live in Kansas where the roads are long and straight cruising through the wheat fields.

- Woody

I actually raise my back end on all my bikes about 1.5 inchs with 1100f Showa shocks... But then I also usually lower the front end about 1.5 inches as well...

I like the way my bikes just dive into the corners

 

[DrJ]

The only thing you do by lowering the bike is to kill the ground clearance which is essential to high speed cornering. The sooner you start dragging things the less your total potential lean angle is. Even transitions would be so minimally effected as to make it worthless in light of the previously mentioned loss of lean angle.

You are absolutely correct, lowering a bike reduces lean angle, therefore reduces cornering speed. My CB350 is lowered 1.75" front and back. I tend to drag my toes occasionally. I did it more for the look and stance rather than any performance gain. And since most of use don't take our street cafes to the track, kneesdragging ability is not a primary issue. I'm putting together another bike and it will have stock suspension height since I may want to ride it at the track.

 

[Crash]

Definately a look factor more than a performance mod. Gives it more of an aggresive look to me and eliminates the air between the rear fender and tire.

STOCK

Lowered 2 in the rear and 1 1/2 in the front.