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#1: the way i lowered my forks Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:54 pm

my bikes are 82 xv750. this is how i lowered my forks. first off the tools i used.
2- 3/8 extensions total length 34 inches
1- 3/8 ratchet
1- pick
1- small screwdriver
1- 3/8 impact gun
1- 8mm allen bit
put the screwdriver in the top opening of c clip. push down and pull out c clip. spring will push out at least 1/2 inch. pull spring out. i cut my spring 3 inches from the bottom.
now i used a 34inch 3/8 drive extension and went through the tube. have a ratchet on the end of the extension.3/8 impact with allen (8mm) buzzed the bolt out. i did use a broom handle and that also worked.
the sleeve will come out with the extension. there is a spring that goes with sleeve so look for that. now i cut a 3 1/2 sleeve to fit over the sleeve that came out.i put the 3 1/2 (made) sleeve on the sleeve and then the small spring. put the whole thing back on my extension put back in tube. installed the bolt and tighten with gun. installed the cut spring. my spring sticks out of the tube about 3/4 inch. then the 1/2 inch top spacer. put all in a press and then installed the c clip. here are pics.

tube with spacer.jpg

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tools.jpg

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#2: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:56 pm

more pics

pressed.jpg

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tube with extension.jpg

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spring tension.jpg

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#3: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:57 pm

more pics

forks kit done.jpg

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forks kit done.jpg

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forks kit shim.jpg

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#4: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:00 pm

sorry i dont know how to do pics and writing together. if any questions just ask....dan

#5: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:52 am

these forks are done. i wont be able to use them for awhile. my project bike is being dissambled for the winter. so if some one wants these forks to use i will ship them to you. i will have oil in them (15w) i need someone that will use the and let me know how they work.the seal have not been replaced but they looked good.so if some one want them they can have them.(no charge)....dan

#6: Re: the way i lowered my forks Author: sasse1100,

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 11:17 pm

ive been thinking about lowering my forks but i would be happy to try them out for you. Do you still have them? email me at jcs24@email.vccs.edu please/ thank you

#7: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 3:50 pm

sasse 1100
sorry there getting picked up on sat. if it falls out i will e-mail you...dan

#8: Author: dragracer7383,

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:52 pm

That's awesome man. Thanks for the write-up.

I can't exactly understand it at this point, but I bookmarked this for when I get ready to do mine.

#9: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:16 pm

if you have any questions at the time you do yours. pm me. i am doing another set. after i get the results back from this set.......dan

#10: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 4:50 pm

front forks got picked up yesterday(Saturday).
he told me that they will be on his bike sometime next week. he is going to let me know if i went too far (3 1/2) inches. he told me he will send pics.and the data i need...everything will be posted on this thread...dan

#11: Re: the way i lowered my forks Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:23 pm

update
cafe-xv750 has these forks and installed them on his bike.. he sent me a pic. man does this bike look cool!!!!
he feels that 3.5 inch drop is too far.. i did a set that have a 2 inch drop. i am sending the 2 inch drop to him and he is sending the 3.5 inch drop back to me....dan

xv750cafe.jpg

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#12: Author: PaulSwany,

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 3:09 pm

Wow... I really like the look of that bike! I wonder what tank he used?

#13: Re: the way i lowered my forks Author: grnrngr,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 6:06 pm

Guess I'm a little confused..they do look great but....you cut off 3.5 inches of spring but then added a 3" spacer? how does that lower anything more than 1/2"? Assuming I'm missing something there, did you cut the tubes? if not, doesn't it bottom about about 3" quicker?

#14: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 8:34 pm

i cut the springs 3 inches.. installed a 3 1/2 inch spacer at the rebound rod..so this 3 1/2 inch spacer is not allowing the tube to extend the full 6 1/2 inches.. so the tube assy. has a total of 3 inches of compression..i have about 3/4 to 1 inch of spring sticking out of the tubes that i have to compress to install the factory spacer and lock in with the "c" clip..with the 15w oil and air i do believe its going to be hard to bottom out....dan

#15: Author: >moto<,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 9:15 pm

PaulSwany wrote (View Post): ›
Wow... I really like the look of that bike! I wonder what tank he used?

It's the standard tank with the rear end raised (by a bit of wood in the pic) so that it runs horizontal. In the standard position the bottom rear of the tank is lower than the front :)

Dan - Nice work on the fork lowering, I'm going to do this mod as well. I am doing the same to my bike as the guy with the black bike in the picture, except his bike looks a whole lot less rusty/weathered!

Do you need a press to push the spring back in Dan? I appreciate it will be a lot easier but i don't have access to one. I may have to get a workshop to help with this part otherwise.

#16: Re: the way i lowered my forks Author: grnrngr,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 9:40 pm

I get it....but 3 inches is too much? It's hard to tell from the pic, but the front of the black bike doesn't "look" too low, in fact, looks right about where I want mine. I'm seriously interested in how he feels about the ones your setting up now. Very cool!!

#17: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 9:51 pm

moto.. i did these forks at work.. the press is right beside me..if i did not have the press.. i would have thought of something else to use..

grnrngr
i feel the 3 inches of travel is good enough for me.. so i will use them on my bike.. IF it is a problem then i will go to 4 inches of travel (2 inch drop)...dan

#18: Author: >moto<,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 10:00 pm

Have you tried the 3" drop when sat on the bike? I weigh the best part of 100Kg and wonder if 2.5" may be better to give clearance for the engine case when I try and turn. Plus there are some sizeable speed humps where I live.

I wish I lived in Altoona, PA, Dan could be my chief mechanic, sparky and designer Laughing

#19: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 10:10 pm

i dont have the forks they are on xv750cafe bike (the pic above)
when i get them on mine (when i get a title) then i will see if i can bottom them out and see the clearance i will have...
but i have to back up what xv750cafe is saying.. with the rear on the front and a 3 inch drop.. just might be too much to handle.. (if there is any handling at all)...dan

#20: Author: >moto<,

Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 11:24 pm

My last post was badly worded, I know he has the forks now but wondered if he has sat on the bike with them on.

It was a stupid question because he mentioned in a PM to me the other day he hasn't chopped his rear subframe yet so couldn't have sat on it properly.

I reckon 2-2.5" drop with for my weight may be a goer factoring for sag, hopefully you guys nut it out before I attempt mine Laughing

#21: Author: totallyredvirago,

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 8:08 am

i really feel a 2 inch drop (max) will do the trick..dan

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