Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories lowering kits

Does anyone know which lowering kit will work for the speedy? The frame has a ridge back there so I guess it has to be pretty specific.

I put 11.5 (as opposed to 12.5) progressive rear shocks on
my '03 BA from Fast Eddy. Very Happy!
I can't see how you would want to lower it more than that.

I opted for YSS Z-302-TRL 310mm rear shocks with 17-25 N/mm progressive rate springs. I'm only around 155lbs..

I haven't fine tuned them as much as I want yet, but I've got total overall unloaded shock length set to 315mm, spring preload to 168mm unladen (springs are 180mm free length) and rebound damping at 30 clicks from full soft. So far, I love them. Gave a nice 1-1.25" drop.

When I bought my SM, the guy I got it from left it out in the rain. The shocks are rusty on the shaft inside the springs. I want to replace them.

I've been looking at the available shocks for this bike and I am concerned about lowering the shocks to the 11.5 inches. I'm about 235 lbs (Thats about 107 Kilos to you blokes over yonder.) Do any of you folks think I'll have any problems lowering the shocks with respect to tires rubbing the fender because of my weight or on bumps or cornering?

No worries about hitting the fender but you'll have to look at the underside and insure you don't have any bolts protruding an excessive amount. I put on the 11.5" set and I'm not much lighter than you...no fender rub but I did grind the tips of my SS pipes (waaaa!) on a few turns.

I lowered Wendys bike 2" with Hagon shocks. Tire clears fine but the chain guard had to be cut to clear the fender and the one tab on her Freak bracket had to be bent to clear the chain.

Breat Bay Motorcycles has a kit, $415, includes rear shocks, kickstand, and fork springs. I believe it lowers it 1.5 inches. I know a few members here have the kit.

http://www.greatbaymotorcycles.com/catalog/catalog2.asp?id=BAM&search=&curpage=2

Ceuls

I forgot about this thread...just a quick update if your thinking of lowering your bike....

I added the lower (11.5") rear shocks a few months ago and like oldroadie I have the long cannons that rubbed on turns (both left and right turns). I got the lowering springs for xmas and have installed them now.

* The bike looks better balanced...the long cannon is level now and doest slope down at teh back now. I lowered the front 1".
* I tipped the bike over in the garage and was able to get the peg on the ground before the end of the exhaust tips
* I only rode it 3 miles (it was way too cold and wet) to get some fuel but it rode much better. I wasnt leaning like I would in dry weather but in the same respect...I was scraping and not leaning over very far in the first palce.
* Im 300# and the Progressive 412s are doing just fine with me on em.

I bought my bike with the rear shocks cut to lower it something like 2"-2.5". I dont have any tire rub or any problems at all with the back tire. My pipes are shorties so they dont scrape on turns. The only thing I ahve a problem with is the kickstand dragging on hard turns. You can see how deep the tires tucked in this picture...



It doesnt seem like youre interested in cutting the shocks, youre probably looking for more comfort. I just figured I'd give you some perspective.

Thank you for your input. You really have a cool looking bike there.

All I really want to do is get the back end down just a little to try and get lower in the pocket and have a little more relief from the buffeting effects of the wind. I made a custom low profile solo seat to get lower some and I have a flyscreen on my '03 SM but I'm 6'3" so, I still get the brunt of the wind. I didn't want to spend the $$ on a windshield just yet as I haven't decided if the windshield will take away from the look, if you know what I mean.

Are you done with your bike?

Thanks again,

DKW

Thanks alot man....Yeah I pretty much bought the bike how it is aside from a few things here and there, and the battery relocation under the seat. I figured you were just trying to get down a bit from stock height for handling. Ive never ridden one with a stock height so Im only assuming you can feel the improvement instantly.

Im not quite done with my bike yet, I still got some good ideas to make her stand out a bit more and become more of my creation. I just gotta wait for it to get a bit warmer out so I can work on it again.