posted April 19, 2002 06:53 AM
Edited By: BA on 7 May 2002 20:42
KENNEDY'S LINKS- UPDATE! I was curious if anyone at this site has tried them, how long you've had them, do you make many adjustments, and whether they have ever PULLED OUT on you.
I have them. I like them. I don't mess with them a whole lot, but so far, I still like them better than the "3-hole" design of other links.
My buddy has had a brand new set for a couple of weeks,and while adjusting (lowering) recently, one just popped out on him! Bike fell over. Not good. He was doing them side to side, as he should, and not doing too much at once or using too much 'torque' on them. Not sure why it did that.
There were PUH-LENTY of threads engaged so I'm not sure what happened. Maybe a tolerance mis-match?
Anyone else have or hear about incidents like this with the ol' eyebolt/threaded sleeve design for lowering links?
posted April 19, 2002 07:28 AM
I've had mine well over a year No problems so far.Who specifically has had them pull out?
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
posted April 19, 2002 07:48 AM
I saw Krexken had some on his 12. He raises his 12 to ride it on the street, then lowers it to race at the track. No problems as of yet. I wish somebody would build us some stainless steel adjustable links. I, for one, would be first in line to purchase some! Doug, Schnitz, anybody??
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RED NINJAS RULE!!
posted April 19, 2002 09:02 AM
I have a year on my Kennedy's and over 300 passes. My bike gets lowered and raised back every weekend. Never a problem, never; Love 'em.
I have pulled them a couple times to clean smegma from the threads (NEVER force them)but that's normal maint for an exposed part.
bottom line is that Victor (Super)rocks!!! ____________
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posted April 19, 2002 10:08 AM
Kawachan,
What would you consider a fair price for some very nice adjustable links? Anybody?
Doug
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It's not that I think you're dumb, it's just that so much of what you know isn't true....
posted April 19, 2002 10:48 AM
Paid $150.00 for mine a couple of years ago, horsepower Mike made them for me when Kennedy didn't have any yet for the 12. One thing the adjustables lack & would be real nice to have is a visual way to be sure you keep both sides in sync, counting threads is just a big pain & it is easy to lose count if you are counting turns of the wrench. Adjustables are definitely the way to go, if they are a quality item. I would pay up to a max of about $200 for the adjustables, the less the better.
posted April 19, 2002 10:59 AM
Seeing as how my three hole links never get me "right" where I want to be. Hmmmm...200 or so would work. I LOVE my bike on the bottom hole, but I can't even pull out of the local hangout without scraping. Launches like a beast too. Up in the middle hole, it is good for the street but wheelies like hell. Doug, make us some PLEASE!!
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RED NINJAS RULE!!
posted April 19, 2002 12:14 PM
$200..........please, that is a joke!!!! No more than $50 or $20 bucks more than the non-adjustable!!!!!!!!! I have the kennedy links, and have had them for over a year! I have them set to an inbetween height good for both applications and have never had to touch them.
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All must bow to the "Ra Supremecy"...
posted April 19, 2002 12:27 PM
DOUG: I agree that a $150 - $200 price is acceptable. For me, $150 is somehow a LOT easier on the mind than $200 though. (must be my financial condition!)
I will say though, that my current adjustable's DO HAVE each hex-side stamped with a number, so keeping sides in sync is not a problem.
The only problem I have is that the eye-bolt parts,...aka...the 'ends' have become rusty in color. I guess the stock black paint wore off easily and now doesn't look very pretty.
posted April 19, 2002 02:11 PM
My Kennedy links are also over a year old with no problems,,,,,I lower the bike once a week for Drag racing and would never go back to the non-adjustable links!!!!
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2012 Metallic Spark Black ZX14R
screw the main "nut" and the 2 keeper nuts all the way in, and paint a flat . Then its easy to count revolutions to get to the 10 or 11 (2.5 - 2.75" lowered) I use.
When I forget how many turns it is set at, I just screw a keeper nut back to the top, then count its turns back to the current setting. No problemo.
$200??? NFW, $80 MAX!!!!
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posted April 19, 2002 04:42 PM
Edited By: SpencerCyclecom on 19 Apr 2002 17:45
We had s/s links about a year ago. They sold pretty good but as I remember I was always hearing our custormers state that they thought the set up was too heavy so we stoped making them. We even had the units finished with a brushed look. I still have some laying around,but are using them as door stops.
We will have fully adjustable links in the near future to complement our line of other fully adjustable links for the Hondas and Yamahas and of course our 3 hole set up.We do not know pricing as of yet on the new product.
It is STILL NOT LATE to change the material that we are making these new fully adjustable links out of BUT............ I SERIOUSLY DOUBT many people would pay $200.00 for links. just my thought, but we will see.
HOW MANY OF YOU WANT A SET OF S/S LINKS. Call me up and we will get the ball rolling. Place a order
Doug
SpencerCycle.com
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Thanks
Doug Ray
SpencerCycle.com
SpencerCycle Center Inc.
Spencer Performance Group Inc.
Toll Free 1-800-510-1945 ext #10
International 1-800-510-1945 ext #11
Local/Tech 1-704-642-0987 ext #12
Fax 1-704-642-0987
posted April 19, 2002 09:08 PM
Edited By: BA on 19 Apr 2002 22:10
When it rains it pours, WTF? Hows this for timing?
I'm raising the rear of my bike tonight to take a chick for a ride and my freakin' left side, lower threaded eyebolt thing BUSTED A FREAKIN' THREAD! I supported the bike with a hoist and tried to coerce it to 'catch', but it didn't help. When doing the adjustment, it would simply turn, catch a little bit, then pop on the bad thread,....repeat cycle ad-nauseum, even when manipulating the other side. I ended up taking both sides off, then putting a bunch of anti-sieze on everything, putting them at the needed, extra height and putting them back on the bike. Fine for now, but now I'm concerned about lowering it again to go drag racing.
Anyone have any idea's about why this happens to some of us? It's not like I felt any torque, the other side was actually much tighter than the side that popped a thread.
The chick was super hot by the way, it was totally worth a little extra work!
Oh yeah, how can you guys say you'll only spend $60 or $80 when these sets are already out there for $100 and the Doug's are trying to make something NICER!
posted April 20, 2002 02:59 AM
BA,
I can say $80 cos that's what I paid for my Kennedy's (if I am remembering correctly) and they work great.
I am wondering how yr threads got damaged????
You do have to be careful to put a flat of each turnbuckle parallel to the axis of the bike so it doesn't hit the shock spring.
On mine when lowered 2.75" (11 turns from full height), I still have plenty of threads in the turnbuckle. So when I turn the turnbuckle to shorten the link (raise the bike), there is no way it could get hung up on a single thread.
Maybe yr threads were fuked from day one? The design is solid, but maybe there are individual problems out there??? Bunch of people use Kennedy's here in Space City and no failures I have heard of; hmmmmmmmmm...
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posted April 20, 2002 06:13 AM
I think the weak link is the aluminum hexagon barrel If you contact kennedys they may can send you a replacement part.The eyelet ends are 4130 (if I remember correctly) and they've been heat treated.
I paid $85 + $5 shipping= $90 total and got them when
they first became available.I got them from kennedys direct (victor).
I would like to have a set of screw adjustable Stainless Steel ones.
____________
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways- Body thoroughly used up, totally worn out...Screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride !!!"
posted April 20, 2002 08:50 AM
Edited By: BA on 20 Apr 2002 09:51
Entropy: I hear what you're saying....."So when I turn the turnbuckle to shorten the link (raise the bike), there is no way it could get hung up on a single thread."
...but, for some reason, I went to turn mine to raise it, and I got "the thread pop". Go figure.
Guess I'll have to order a new eyelet end.
I got mine from Kennedy's directly as well, but he had raised the price since the $80 days. I paid something like $90-$100. I think my friend just paid $100 as well.
HARRY: Thanks for the thought on getting just the one part, I think I'll do that.
posted April 20, 2002 03:46 PM
I think I paid $120 for my Kennedys but that was at the strip. No problems with mine yet but I'm getting kind of leary of them. I go 3 flats each cycle when adjusting. Since I usually ride to the track, I adjust them when I'm there.
I'm gonna make my own center piece from either mild steel or stainless hex stock and junk the alum. piece. Definitely the wink link. All these failures have me kinda freaked.
Don't think anything other than alum. should cost more new these did, cept maybe ti. I'd hate to have to tap that.
posted May 01, 2002 07:30 PM
Edited By: SpencerCyclecom on 1 May 2002 20:33
Just a UPdate...........
We have now started the process to begin making our version of fully adjustable lowering links for sportbikes
We should be available in 2-3 weeks AND they are going to be ALL STAINLESS STEEL. this means no rusting and they will be more durable.
The price will be $149.00
we do not have a part number as of yet but if any one wishes to place a order all you have to do is call.
Thanks goes out for the members on this site that called and requested we start the process and begin manufacturing. Thanks for the orders as well guys.
Thanks
Doug
SpencerCycle.com
1-800-510-1945
____________
Thanks
Doug Ray
SpencerCycle.com
SpencerCycle Center Inc.
Spencer Performance Group Inc.
Toll Free 1-800-510-1945 ext #10
International 1-800-510-1945 ext #11
Local/Tech 1-704-642-0987 ext #12
Fax 1-704-642-0987
posted May 07, 2002 07:31 PM
Couldn't be happier with KENNEDY'S service! Just wanted to follow up for everyone that I spoke with Victor at Kennedy's, and explained the whole scenario. (single thread not catching, couldn't lower bike with them installed)
Well, Victor was *very* cool, understanding and concerned about the whole thing. He had me send them to his HOME, to ensure that he would get them. He even offered to send me some 3-hole dog-bones TEMPORARILY so that I could continue drag racing and not miss a day, and be riding as much as possible while he checked out the bad links.
I owned up to the possibility that **I** could have possibly fucked them up, but I didn't see how I would have done that. I only adjust about 2 hex-faces at a time, per side. I asked him to check them out and simply let me know if it looked like I screwed them up somehow.
I FedEx'd the links to him, and I had a BRAND NEW PAIR just 5 days later. In the box, in the plastic, with instructions. Brand spankin' new.
Every situation, and every person has different experiences but I for one can say that Victor at KENNEDY'S links really cared about my situation and certainly took care of it, probably beyond his call of duty. Thanks Victor!
PS. They're probably coming out with the Stainless center piece asap.
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posted April 19, 2002 06:53 AM
Edited By: 
posted April 19, 2002 10:48 AM
I ended up taking both sides off, then putting a bunch of anti-sieze on everything, putting them at the needed, extra height and putting them back on the bike. Fine for now, but now I'm concerned about lowering it again to go drag racing. 
posted April 20, 2002 05:56 AM
