slates
Expert Class
Posts: 377
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posted August 06, 2008 09:35 AM
Lowering links...lowering front
A friend of mine has a 2007 LE and wants to lower the bike because he is slightly, height challenged.
He was wondering if he buys the dog bone lowering links and uses the middle hole, will he need to lower the front with straps or in triple tree. He's concerned about affecting the handling, but he's not one to push the envelope.
If he lowers it in the rear, should he lower it up front? At what point would it affect turn in and handling characteristics (I know, broad question)?
Thank you.
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black zx14 - Brock's Gen3 Carbon, PCIII, no secondaries, Carrozzeria wheels, Sato rearsets, Pazzo levers, GPR V4 steering damper, Puig windscreen, Tiger Racing chain guard
  
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reypac24
Novice Class
Old Fart!
Posts: 66
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posted August 06, 2008 10:23 AM
I did just that with the Muzzy lowering links and the bike handles fine. I did notice some negative riding characteristics when I went to the lowest setting though, the bike wanted to remain upright during cornering and then header clearance became an issue over most any surface bump or dip. Hope this helps.
Rey
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Red 2006 ZX-14: Green 2000 ZRX-1100; Blue 1977 KZ-1000 LTD;
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davej
Expert Class
Posts: 451
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posted August 06, 2008 10:37 AM
 Edited By: davej on 6 Aug 2008 11:39
I have a 28" inseam and my bike is set in the middle hole of Muzzy lowering links. I can sit flat footed now with only this mod. Bridgestone tires and I don't get along, Michelin Pilot road on the rear and matching front make it handle like a different motorcycle. No high speed wobble no breaking loose at 135 mph. Didn't have to lower the front, middle hole made a huge difference and can still carry passengers. Watch out for speed bumps though.
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Triumph guy
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted August 06, 2008 10:47 AM
I would lower it in the front as well, otherwise you are going to affect steering geometry more significantly. By lowering just the rear you are increasing the effective rake, thus slowing the steering. That may or may not be an issue for him, but just be aware.
Shane
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted August 06, 2008 01:22 PM
quote:
I would lower it in the front as well, otherwise you are going to affect steering geometry more significantly. By lowering just the rear you are increasing the effective rake, thus slowing the steering. That may or may not be an issue for him, but just be aware.
Shane
+1 Was just getting ready to post the same thoughts. Lowering the triple tree will even it out, and even give you quicker turn in on corners- its a very popular "fix" for the race track crowd.
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'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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davej
Expert Class
Posts: 451
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posted August 06, 2008 02:43 PM
Edited By: davej on 6 Aug 2008 17:59
If you lower through the triple tree you need to adjust damping and spring tension. Also clearance from fender to fairing could be an issue if you keep the same rake. You will be hitting either the fairing or the added stops. Ground clearance will be terrible problem because it will be a true worm burner. You are staying in the parameters of travel by just lowering the rear, like having a fat chick on the back but without the weight. The rake is increased by 1degree 45 seconds with rider from stock of 23. Add a rider and that 23 changes. The Concours 14 has a rake of 26.1degrees.
If you strap the front end down then your travel and spring rate are out the window.
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Triumph guy
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Red1
Expert Class
Posts: 442
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posted August 06, 2008 08:22 PM
Slates,
Lowering the rear without lowering the front will definitely change the handling and steering geometry. Schnitz sells front lowering blocks that go in the front forks and will lower the forks internally 1.25 inches to match the 1.25 inches of the middle hole on the dog bones. They also sell a 2.25 inch kit as well. Be Very Careful with the 2.25 kit especially with the oil pan plug in the front on the 14.
I lowered my 14 with the 1.25 inch kit in the front and the middle hole on the dog bones and I love it!! I have a modified pan with the oil plug in the rear of the pan. The pan came from OSR - Shannon at Clems Kawasaki in Logansport Indiana. The pan with exchange is $110 I believe and $250 without an exchange.
Be Safe
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Red12/Blue14
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted August 06, 2008 10:14 PM
For me, adjustable lowering links are the way to go. Dogbones really limit you with the static settings. I have my forks 3/4 inch, and have the rear adjusted to where the bike sits a little forward of level. I would not lower the bike unless I had the oil drainplug relocated. Already ripped it out once.
How much is he trying to lower it?
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slates
Expert Class
Posts: 377
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posted August 07, 2008 03:52 AM
Thank you all.
lietoome - He's just trying to be able to flat foot and have an easier time of moving the bike around when sitting on it. Right now, he's on his toes. I'm guessing he only needs to go down about an inch.
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black zx14 - Brock's Gen3 Carbon, PCIII, no secondaries, Carrozzeria wheels, Sato rearsets, Pazzo levers, GPR V4 steering damper, Puig windscreen, Tiger Racing chain guard
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bawls
Needs a job
re-learning to ride
Posts: 2701
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posted August 07, 2008 07:00 AM
My dad is 5'7" and my bike just lowered an inch in the fron fits him fine.
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Best 60ft: 1.42
Best 1/8th: 5.97
Best 1/8th MPH: 119
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flyboy
Pro
Posts: 1536
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posted August 07, 2008 04:08 PM
Lower the front through the forks.
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'There's more living in five minutes flat-out on a bike than some men have in an entire life'.
"The World's Fastest Indian"
One fast red ZX-14,
Three World and four National Land Speed Records,
One faster red and white Cessna Turbo 210
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MasterBlaster
Expert Class
Posts: 297
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posted August 08, 2008 05:37 AM
Used the adjustable dog bones and lowered mine 1 in measured fender to floor, slipped the forks 1 in, and put a 200 Avon on the rear. Handles great, but be careful with speed bumps and such. I got the guard on my oil drain on one, fortunately didnt get the plug.
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Termnl
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted August 28, 2008 08:32 AM
Lowering a ZX14
Is lowering the ZX14 2.5" in the rear & 2" in the front too much ???
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted August 28, 2008 09:49 AM
If you're riding on the street...Yes. My 2 cents.
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Sticks_n_Stones
Needs a job
Posts: 3930
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posted August 28, 2008 11:08 AM
quote:
If you're riding on the street...Yes. My 2 cents.
+1
For the record: lowering the forks through the triple tree will not affect your compression, rebound, or spring rate or travel as some here have stated. Think about it fellas.
____________
'06 zx14
Muzzy M10/M14
PCIII w/ Muzzy map
Flies out K&N in!
bits n pieces...
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lietoome
Needs a job
Posts: 2033
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posted August 28, 2008 12:56 PM
Edited By: lietoome on 28 Aug 2008 14:02
Not sure how far you can lower the forks thru the trees...once the forks start to taper, you're trees will not bite the forks. Maybe the internal fork lowering kit? I can tell you, there'e no way I'd drop mine 2 inches up front. You'd be pretty colse to draggin the ground---I would think.
Kits:
quote:
Internal: Lowering Blocks, Kawasaki ZX-14
These blocks go inside the fork tubes to lower the bike. With this, you don't have to use a bulky front end lowering strap.
This kit should be installed by a qualified technician to ensure proper performance. Comes with complete instructions! Another product from DKP! Available in 1 1/4" or 2 1/4" kits
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted August 28, 2008 05:45 PM
i lowered mine to the middle hole on the muzzy lowering links and slid the forks through the triple tree a hair over a inch. i like it a lot better! no way would i lower it with a strap on the front for street driving! i pull my strap tight ONLY when at the track. yesterday i lowered the back all the way down and with me weighing 215, its too much without making rear shock stiffer...
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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Termnl
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted August 29, 2008 02:28 PM
Well i lowered the 14 today went with the middle hole and a little over a inch on the tree ...I Love it and i can stand flat footed ...... Thanks For The Info..........
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