 lowering rear
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OP
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want to lower the rear of my america on a budget what are the thoughts on cutting the rear coils
2005 America 145 mains, , #48 pilots, , k&n pod filters, ported intakes manifolds, nology coils and wires, pro com CDI, 62 HP at wheel 68,000 hard miles still runs great gone "traded"
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 Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Do it...then youll wind up paying to either buy new OEM shocks or youll spring for the right way to do it.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
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I put 11.5" Progressive 412 shocks(1" shorter than stock) on my 03 TBA, and am happy with the result.
Got 'em from Fast Eddy.
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 394
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they also make lowering blocks, i had them on my harley and have seen them for our bikes somewhere. ive got 412s progressives 11 1/2s on my Speedy
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22 |
I have some lowering blocks. Send me a PM is you want to go that way. I will sell them pretty cheap.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
Send Brokenfixed a PM, the guy who owned his bike before him cut the springs. No travel left and it almost feels like a hardtail, I rode it when I was working on it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
Quote:
want to lower the rear of my america on a budget what are the thoughts on cutting the rear coils
There are several ways to lower a bike. Coils cutting is THE WORST way and will ruin the handling and possibly the shocks.
Clay
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I cut mine. Now I ride on struts but its OK Ilike the abuse.
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
I'm sure anyone here would be glad to abuse you if you ask nicely! 
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 198
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How much do you way? I have a set of stocks that would be perfect for someone in that 90 to 100LBS range. 10.75 cTOc
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2009
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hi could you let me no where you got the lowering blocks from? cheers steve 
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22 |
To be perfectly honest I don't remember. I do know when you ride two up you will rub your fender on big dips in the road unless you stiffen up the pre-load on your shocks.
(sold now 48hrs later as Damien did not respond.)
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Dec 2006
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everyone has their own opinion about blocks and cutting and buying new ones...I cut mine down with the die grinder and a cutting wheel and they work just fine! I ride it alone and also 2 up with no issues of rubbing or bottoming out or handling. Yes, there isnt as much travel, obviously, but it is still plenty comfortable and the chick on the back likes em much better than when I tried the fixed struts! You want a custom bike or what some call a "chopper"-Take the time and do it yourself and experiment with new ideas instead of dropping the cash to buy a new bolt on part...Just my $.02!
Best looking black girl around!
2004 SM-spokes, solo seat, lowered rear, 14 in apes, bobber rear fender, no front fender. Flat black all the way around.
Jeff
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
I bought a set of Hagon shocks to lower the rear of Wendy's bike 2".
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
Quote:
everyone has their own opinion about blocks and cutting and buying new ones...I cut mine down with the die grinder and a cutting wheel and they work just fine! I ride it alone and also 2 up with no issues of rubbing or bottoming out or handling. Yes, there isnt as much travel, obviously, but it is still plenty comfortable and the chick on the back likes em much better than when I tried the fixed struts! You want a custom bike or what some call a "chopper"-Take the time and do it yourself and experiment with new ideas instead of dropping the cash to buy a new bolt on part...Just my $.02!
Are you saying the handling didn't change or it didn't affect your riding. Everyone has an opinion, and some are based on fact.
Clay
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Quote:
Are you saying the handling didn't change or it didn't affect your riding. Everyone has an opinion, and some are based on fact.
Clay
Ok, forgive me for saying that there isnt any change in the handling. Those that know my bike would understand why I dont feel any changes riding the chopped shocks, as mine is set up not to take the twisties and is pretty much a lowered tank. You wanna even things up, add some progressive springs to the front forks and call it good...If you lower the front to match the dimension X from the rear, your ride will be even...theres your fact!
Best looking black girl around!
2004 SM-spokes, solo seat, lowered rear, 14 in apes, bobber rear fender, no front fender. Flat black all the way around.
Jeff
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048 |
Quote:
Quote:
Are you saying the handling didn't change or it didn't affect your riding. Everyone has an opinion, and some are based on fact.
Clay
Ok, forgive me for saying that there isnt any change in the handling. Those that know my bike would understand why I dont feel any changes riding the chopped shocks, as mine is set up not to take the twisties and is pretty much a lowered tank. You wanna even things up, add some progressive springs to the front forks and call it good...If you lower the front to match the dimension X from the rear, your ride will be even...theres your fact!
I hope I didn't offend you. A lowered tank, is way away from stock handling, and important information when making recommendations for sure.
As far as shortening rear springs and putting in progressives in the front to make a match, you are incorrect. That will absolutely not "even things up", except the height.
Shortening springs changes the spring *rate*, which is very important to understand. You probably know this, but the original poster(postor/postee?) does not. Shorter shock/springs from progressive that match the front shorter springs are completely different than you are suggesting. When you buy shorter shock packages, they have a much different spring RATE than a "shortened" stock spring of the same coil height. It has to do with diameter of the wire in the coil, and the length of the wire in the coil, not the coil height. That is where the facts are.
They also have a different length shock body, to keep them in the proper valving range.
Clay
PS Do you have picture up here? I love the look of lowered bikes.
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
AND, the fact everybody seems to always "forget" is that you WILL start scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaping probably not ONLY your foot pegs but ALSO most likely your exhausts and/or maybe a few of the other "hard parts" after you lower your motorcycle.
But as Jeff admits here when he says, "mine is set up not to take the twisties", he evidently didn't forget that part.
To be honest with you folks (and the following is just MY opinion here, you understand) I could never understand why anyone would want to lower THESE particular machines, UNLESS it's because their inseam is very short, because if you're doing this ONLY because you think it "looks cool", you are in fact taking away an aspect of these machines which I've always felt was one of their major selling points, and THAT is...these Triumph "cruisers" are just about the best handling "cruisers" out there which you can purchase, and ARE still actually fun to ride IN those twisties AT SPEED, unless you start scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaping stuff all the time on 'em while you're doing that.
But, I suppose IF you don't have twisties in your area, OR you tend to ride at a more sedate pace, then what I said here is a non-issue.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 44
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 44 |
I echo Dwights sentiments 100% - only thing I want to be scraping in the twisties are my knee's !!
'07 Speediesque America
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22 |
Quote:
scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaping
I remember the fist SWTF when we ran down the mountain at a good clip. At the bottom Dwight had to pull my kickstand back out for me. It got rubbed and pushed under the bike. That was without lowering.
I lowered mine for a bit and it worked fine. My problem was I ride my daughter a lot and I tend to be a tad aggressive sometimes. With my daughter on the back I would drag my pipes sometimes. Naturally a shorter pipe by about 6" would rectify that.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jun 2007
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So where could one get these lowering blocks? I've looked around everywhere, and can't find them online. I remember seeing them a long time ago, but can't find them now. I'm second on the list for satxron's, but I'm sure they're gone. Any help is appreciated.
Also, what if you would lower the front end a little further than the rear? Wouldn't that help eliminate the back of our pipes dragging?
Last edited by cochran03; 03/30/2009 10:55 AM.
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
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Re: lowering rear
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OP
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thanks for all the info ive cut the coils on my truck to lower it. the rear is bagged i think i will cut the coils on my bike a little at a time to see how it goes iam 6'3" 270lbs i won't need to cut out to much and what about those lowering blocks i was going to make some drop brackets but i couldnt see how get around the lip on the swing arm on the right side
2005 America 145 mains, , #48 pilots, , k&n pod filters, ported intakes manifolds, nology coils and wires, pro com CDI, 62 HP at wheel 68,000 hard miles still runs great gone "traded"
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 175
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Well I might have an extra set of brackets it we find some new shocks for me...I used them for about 6 months....I am a big boy as well (280).....using the brackets gave me about a 2 - 2 1/2" drop....this was all fine and dandy until I started riding two up....the girl on the back was about 130-140 and i was bottoming out...I turned the suspension all the way up and i was still bottoming out
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Re: lowering rear
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ok well I'm around 6'2" 185, and the sexy one is 5'8" 130, do you think I'd have the problem with using the blocks?
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
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Re: lowering rear
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honestly no...I don't think you will have a problem at all...I have actually switched to a tire that is about 1" smaller than the stock height... So i gained and extra 1/2" of clearance....I have not tried the brackets with the new tire because i am looking for new shorter shocks...basically what im trying to say is...you shouldn't have a problem with the setup...if for some reason you do move to a little smaller rear tire...
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
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? is still where do you get these block from cheers steve
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Aug 2007
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I'm trying to decide if I want to lower the bike or not. Can't seem to make up my mind one way or the other, maybe if I tried these blocks I could have some peace of mind. --I love the look, but don't care much for scraping every turn I make. Alot of twisting roads in Norway...
Black '07 Speedmaster FTW!
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
? is still where do you get these block from
cheers steve
They used to be made by Streetboogie.com but SB closed its doors a few months ago.
The owner, Chris, was a member here (boogieman).
Im 6-1, 300# and had lowered my front and back with Progressive lowering springs up front and 10.5" 412s in the rear.
Id get a scrape every so often but once I got comfortable the scrapes came more often and at one time I actually felt the back of the bike shimmy. I increased the preload (?) and it was better for a bit but my weight was just too much for the 412s.
I now have 440s and love the feel. I am the lucky SOB that PMd Saxtron (very shortly after he posted his offer) about the blocks if damien didnt take em.
Ive been waiting for a set of these to pop up for a while now.
As I usually do Ill post pics for you boys and girls so you can see what they look like and how they look on the bike.
Last edited by Zmilin; 03/30/2009 6:17 PM.
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Re: lowering rear
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Well ya lucky SOB, let me know how they work out for you, and if they don't, I'll be glad to take them off your hands for a small fee.
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Apr 2007
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just got of the phone with a buddy of mine who is a machinist....He is going to take a my brackets and build a design off of them....and hopefully crank out some new brackets hopefully by the end of next week !!!
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Re: lowering rear
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Cool! Is it possible to twist his/your arm to make some extra and ship a pair to Norway so I can test my bike lowered?  Edit: and yes, I can pay a small fee. 
Last edited by dahla; 03/30/2009 8:46 PM.
Black '07 Speedmaster FTW!
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Re: lowering rear
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i don't want to get in trouble for posting this stuff here...but i will make a post in the classifieds when we are done...And i will ship them to where ever... BTW here is a picture of my bike lowered on the brackets 
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Re: lowering rear
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Sweet!  PM me when you get them done! 
Black '07 Speedmaster FTW!
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 42
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2009
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hi scotts just let me no when and how much and shipping to uk you and your buddy are top men cheers  steve
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Any chance of a CLOSE up of the blocks? cant see anything on that photo  TrOjAn
TrOjAn
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Re: lowering rear
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proabably not for a couple days...They are not installed right now...they are actually in my car...I can take a photo of them off the bike if you would like
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Quote:
proabably not for a couple days...They are not installed right now...they are actually in my car...I can take a photo of them off the bike if you would like
OOooooooooo yes please.. that would be excellent thankyou, both sides and top bottom would be the icing on the old cake
TrOjAn
TrOjAn
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,382
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Scott,
Looks like you had to remove your chain guard to use those.
Is that true?
BTW.....like the looks of your Speedy. It's my favorite color.
Tony G
'03 America
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Jun 2007
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I'm pretty sure the chain guard has an indentation where the shock sits to allow clearance. Therefore, you'll have to remove the chain guard unless the new bracket flares the shocks out about 1/2"
Aaron
04 "Green Bean" Freaked, AI removal, Bafflectomy, 6" Risers, and 30" Drag Bars.
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Re: lowering rear
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 175
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I would be interested in a set of these lowering blocks, keen to see more pic's...
05 SM Neon Blue/Black. Thunder Bike Cams & Pipes & Flowed Head. AI&Snork removed, Airbox Mods, 135mains, 42/17T, 140x80x17" TBS Front Wheel
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