Lowering Links Install Tips???

[shamrock]

Just ordered 1" lowering links for my 2005 ZX12R. Im sure I can figure out how to get them installed but any tips or advice would be great?

I also gotta figure out how to lower the front. I read somewhere that I can just loosen the triple tree and the forks will slide down (planning on only 1" up front).

Im wondering if I will need to alter the kick stand (or get an adjustable)? The bike seems to lean over pretty far in stock form so im thinking 1" lower shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks,
Eric

[MjrSV650S]

Yeah the front is pretty easy just make sure that you have both front forks are even. And as far as the back I took one of my rear suspension links off all I did it put a jack under the bike jacked the bike up until the back wheel comes of the ground and just take the two bolts out and replace the old link with your new one. i never did it so is im missing something someone please feel free to add.

[Brian T]

Originally Posted by MjrSV650S

Yeah the front is pretty easy just make sure that you have both front forks are even.

+1

I'd do the back before the front.


On the back you will need a second person to help you. They can use the kick stand as leverage. Once you take out the existing links your helper will have to hold up and possibly pull up so you can get the new ones in.

Other people may have other ways but I've lowered several bikes and thats always worked for me.

[ZXLNT]

If you have the stock exhaust you will fit that one of bolts will intefere with it when you try to remove it. If you loosen the bolt holding the muffler to the footpeg bracket you can have a friend pull out and up on the exhaust and the bolt will slide out. I find that its easiest to put the bike on a rear wheel stand. I used a small bottle jack and a board to hold the bike up from falling down on the rear wheel when I took out the bolts. I just put the bottle jack on top of the rear tire with a board on top of it. Worked great. Bring a friend though its helps to have a hand..

[lownuff]

For the back, i just had a friend hold the back. I unbolted the old link, had him lift up on the rear of the bike while i took it off, put the new one on, and bolted it back up... was really simple.

For the front, i did the same thing. Had him hold the front, i loosened up the top and lower bolts on the front forks... slid the front down on the forks where I wanted it, tightened the bolts up just enough so it wouldnt move, measured, adjusted, tightened them up all the way.

[shamrock]

Thanks for the advice, I'll be doing the install tonight. Got two friends coming over to help. I'll keep ya updated.

Look for pics of the bike in the picture section soon!!!

[Brian T]

Originally Posted by shamrock

Thanks for the advice, I'll be doing the install tonight. Got two friends coming over to help. I'll keep ya updated.

Look for pics of the bike in the picture section soon!!!

That will work.

[shamrock]

All done. It took us about 4 hours to do the front and rear. That was just two of us, one buddy is always late and he showed up when we were done.

The rear was very easy and that took us about 20 minutes. I found the studs in the ceiling of my garage and screwed in 4 eye bolts. I just suspended the rear of the bike with ratchet straps from the passenger pegs. THe bolts were a little difficult to break loose and I had to adjust the amount of weight on the rear tire so they would slide out easily.

The front sucked! Now that I've done it myself it would be a lot easier to do it the second time. I recommend taking your tank off (i did) your going to end up scratching when your wrenching the top bolts on the tree. Ended up dropping the front end all the way down onto the front hugger, didnt damage it, lesson learned.

We thought we could just hold the front and lower it, didnt work. We finally just strapped the handle bars up to the ceiling with soft straps and suspended the front end. Then I had to use a rubber mallet to hammer the tubes back to where I wanted them.

Rear is 1" lower and the front is about the same. I might lower the front anouther 1/4" but I think I like it as is.

Pictures soon, just waiting on my windscreen and solo seat.

Thanks for all the replies.
Eric

[velocity bmg]

Edited

[lownuff]

Originally Posted by shamrock

All done. It took us about 4 hours to do the front and rear. That was just two of us, one buddy is always late and he showed up when we were done.

The rear was very easy and that took us about 20 minutes. I found the studs in the ceiling of my garage and screwed in 4 eye bolts. I just suspended the rear of the bike with ratchet straps from the passenger pegs. THe bolts were a little difficult to break loose and I had to adjust the amount of weight on the rear tire so they would slide out easily.

The front sucked! Now that I've done it myself it would be a lot easier to do it the second time. I recommend taking your tank off (i did) your going to end up scratching when your wrenching the top bolts on the tree. Ended up dropping the front end all the way down onto the front hugger, didnt damage it, lesson learned.

We thought we could just hold the front and lower it, didnt work. We finally just strapped the handle bars up to the ceiling with soft straps and suspended the front end. Then I had to use a rubber mallet to hammer the tubes back to where I wanted them.

Rear is 1" lower and the front is about the same. I might lower the front anouther 1/4" but I think I like it as is.

Pictures soon, just waiting on my windscreen and solo seat.

Thanks for all the replies.
Eric

oh my god dude... you did a lot of work that i dont think needed to be done lol. I never removed a tank and ive lowered 3 different types of bikes now: Suzuki, Honda, and Yamaha. If you were worried about hitting the tank loosening up the triple bolts... extension on a rachet works fine.... not that you needed it. Anyway, glad you got it all taken care of. Lets see them pics!

[shamrock]

It was really hard to get to the lower bolts on the tree so we took the plastic covers off that cover the air intakes that go around the forks. Had to loosen the tank cover to get those off so it wasn't a big deal to go ahead and take it all the way off. It'd prob take an hour if I had to do it over agian now!

My other parts should be in monday or tuesday so I'll get some picutes up soon! I need to clean the bike too, got caught in some rain yesterday!!!

[DCO]

For future reference it's an easy one man show if you just use a scissor jack between the rear tire and subframe. Scissor jack like the one you'll find with most automobile spare tires. Use this to remove the pressure from the suspension system in a controlled manner. Then your buddy can just open beers for you.

[Brian T]

lol
+1 didnt think of that

[cyclexpressions]

If have not already, I highly recommend shortening the kick stand!!!!
I lowered my previous gixxer 1" front and rear with out modifying stand. Ended up buying new tank and fairings just a few days later. (fell over in the garage)