Sidecar outfit - lowering - suspension geometry

[Erskine]

Shamone suspension geeks ......
So I 100% lucked in on evilbay winning this uncompleted grass track outfit for a song. Built in the 70's by a professional frame builder intended as a small engined youth intro bike, the wheel base is slightly longer than the average street 125.
I'm intending to finish it as a fun (road) track day outfit.and before I start messing with the rear triangle and other bits, I need to find out how much I can lower it and the suspension still work effectively.
The rig currently sits with 7" of ground clearance, I'd like to get it down to 5" at least.
Your thoughts please.

 

[xb33bsa]

great project ideally lowing will keep the static position of the suspension arms in a close to same geometry as oem... this involves quite a bit more than just shorter shocks esp on the front as the geometry me thinks has a sweet zone and that is probably close to same as it is now
i guess the easiest way to do the front is either raise up the streering head/neck (on the frame) or dropping the trees down on the main uprights legs.... then if travel became an issue travel could be restricted in the shocks but thery probablly shoud be resprung as well

 

[Erskine]

The fork legs are welded to the trees so no room for adjustment there. Since taking these pictures I've slung on an inch shorter shock on the rear which visually make the bike sit more level and square. Trawling through the net looking at leading link set ups, some are set at obtuse angles, and others acute and some parallel to the ground. I will be fitting new shocks all round, but not until I've got an all in weight to work out the spring rates needed .... that will be another thread!

 

[xb33bsa]

smaller wheels is an easy solution that front wheel is a boat anchor even with the alloy rim

 

[o1marc]

I'd get some motor/rider weight in there before lowering anything, it may lower it more than you think.