posted April 06, 2004 07:17 PM
Benefit of removing the shock washer? Will that lower the 10R? Is there a downside? Ned (of the other board) suggested "that he took the washer from under the top of the shock mount and put it back under the nut instead"
This would be for part number 42046 (by the arrow) on the diagram below.
posted April 06, 2004 08:44 PM
Ok, so it seems that the thread length is 1 inch. Does that mean the bike could be lowered in the rear by 1 inch just by turning the washer to the highest point? This seems to make sense.
Also, if I were to lower it about half way through the threads does that lower it by 1/2 an inch?
I am guessing that since this is just spining a washer, i could do it myself right?
posted April 06, 2004 08:47 PM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 6 Apr 2004 21:48
Is there any particular reason someone here (Ned?) wants to lower the rear ride height of the 10R? Is he short? is there some "other" reason? Why not leave well enough alone?
I could take a hacksaw out and saw the ends of the clipons off.. that would make them shorter... Why would I want to do this?
Why?
I dont understand.
Why are we talking about this?
Let's start with a question and THEN lets come up with a solution... this feels like Jeopardy!
posted April 06, 2004 09:11 PM
I think we are talking about this due to some of us people that are not 6 foot tall. We are standing on our tippy toes at a light. The bike I sat on at the motorcycle show, I could sit there flat footed. I woul;dnt mind lowering mine about a half inch. I know whatever you do to the rear,you have to do to the front.
posted April 06, 2004 09:15 PM
Fish is correct of course, what do you want to achieve??
Whatever you do only change one thing at a time and then take the bike for a test ride on the same road, make copius notes about what you have done and the reaction of the bike to the change. IMHO This should probably be done at the track.
quote:Ok, so it seems that the thread length is 1 inch. Does that mean the bike could be lowered in the rear by 1 inch just by turning the washer to the highest point? This seems to make sense.
Also, if I were to lower it about half way through the threads does that lower it by 1/2 an inch?
I am guessing that since this is just spining a washer, i could do it myself right?
The area you are looking at in this picture is not the washer, you are looking at the spring preload adjustment and lock nuts. By unscrewing this adjustment nut you soften up the spring preload thus creating more sag in the rear of the bike.
The same can be said for the front forks...turning the spring preload adjusters out (unscrewing them) softens the spring preload creating more sag in the front of the bike or what is called Overstand.
posted April 06, 2004 09:59 PM
I am so confused .....
Ok, ned is a user (not me in disguise) at the zx-10r.net forum. I dont know why "Ned' did it but I am assuming it was to lower the bike (im waiting for a response from him).
What I would be doing is trying to get my short legs to touch the ground (they sorta do that now). The goal im trying to achieve.
I do not really want to play with the suspension settings at all but I am interested in learning more about it (in case i do). I would be lowering it because I am short.
As far as stiletto shoes, or elevator shoes, I did purchase (but I am waiting for a few more weeks) a set of M-Star boots that actually have an extra inch of sole (for us shorter folks).
Sorry I wasnt trying to make everyone play Jeopardy. If we were playing team wfo would be the winner though ____________
Admin of http://www.zx-10r.net
posted April 06, 2004 10:04 PM
extremelean - oh, see this is why I am glad to have people who know point things out to me before I go on a rampage with a wrench.
Looking at the diagram up top, it would seem if you removed the washer, it would lower the bike the width of the washer (IE not much). I will take another look in the morning.
As I said above, I am looking to get my feet a little closer to the ground when stopped. When I am moving its obviously not a problem. Stopped at a light is pretty OK as well (on my tippy toes, or one foot flatfoot the other sitting on the peg).
I am not so concerned about the tippy toe thing overall, my concern is if I came to an unexpected complete quick stop, if I lost my balance at all, I dont have enough foot on the ground to catch the bike. Or I might not, but since I have not tried I dont really know.
____________
Admin of http://www.zx-10r.net
posted April 06, 2004 10:15 PM
removing the washer that is BETWEEN the upper shock mount and the frame WOULD lower the rear of the bike....but it would change the handling characteristics of the bike , as pointed out by various people above.
removing the washer would make the front end lighter under acceleration.
posted April 06, 2004 10:47 PM
Maybe a lower saddle??
I would be loathe to change the handling characteristics of this race developed bike for the amount of time that you are staionary but it is your call.
posted April 07, 2004 01:51 AM
I doubt if anyone has a shorter inseam than me and I had no problem with the ZX-12. I'll wager that with a little seat time, you won't be worried about losing it with something as light as the 10. But if you do remove the washer, will it change the ride height by the washer thickness x the leverage ratio of the shock linkage? I haven't studied the rear suspension that close yet.
posted April 07, 2004 06:20 AM
Edited By: fish_antlers on 7 Apr 2004 07:21
Okay.. .so now we have a start... . I am hereby restarting this thread from this point... watch this:
QUESTION:
I'd like to lower the rear ride height of my ZX-10R because I am too short to sit on it and touch the ground. I was told that I could achieve this in several different ways, each with their own pros and cons. I understand my options are:
a) back off the rear spring preload a whole bunch to gain more static sag (make the back "squishier" when I sit on it.
b) carve down my seat, but there's not much foam there to carve
c) replace my rear links (dogbones) with something like Muzzy lowering links
d) Remove washer 42046 in the parts diagram above.
Can someone here please explain the effects of the above mods I listed and tell me how they would a) change handling/ performance and b) how much they would effectively lower the ride height?
posted April 07, 2004 08:02 AM
a) yes, backing the preload all the way off will in effect lower the ride height, BUT more importantly that much reduction in preload will have a profound affect on handling. Probably the worst solution if only lowering is the goal.
b) carving seat foam often has the effect of making the seat more plank like than it is already. Since the seat has some radius to it now, particularly at the edges, taking foam out might make it more UNcomfortable when at rest, since the pan dimensions will not have changed, you'll just be removing the minimal padding between the inside of your thigh and the pan.
c) coupled with dropping the forks an equivalent amount, probably the best solution for most who just have to lower. As others have pointed out, just lowering the rear without touching the front is likely not a good idea on a bike whose tendency already is to unweight the front.
d) washer removal seems to be a simple starting point, but will have very minimal affect on ride height. I believe that I read somewhere the ride height could be changed by adding "optional shims" available from Kawasaki. I assume that they are referring to making the washer stack taller, but I am not certain of this.
As has already been mentioned, document the baseline settings of all suspension components before you start. Regardless of which route you choose to lower the rear, you will want to make the same correction to th efront to maintain the factory balance and rake.
posted April 07, 2004 08:15 AM
You might also think about removing the black side covers under the seat. I know it won't look great, but we did this on my GF's CBR600RR and it made a world of difference for her. It allows your legs to be closer together when straddling the bike.
posted April 07, 2004 07:51 PM
Well, I spent another 70 miles on the 10 today. I really gotta say I am really impressed with the turning ability of the bike. It is as nimble as my 6R was.
It is waaaay more fun to ride though.
I am getting used to being on 1 foot. I guess I will probably just live with it as is. I would like to lower it but the best idea would be to just leave the bike alone.
I think as i put more miles on it, i will become more comfortable on it.
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posted April 06, 2004 07:17 PM
Edited By: 
posted April 07, 2004 06:51 PM
