Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech How to lower my bike?

What would be the easiest and least expensive way to lower my Speedy? We had some nice weather the last few days and so I took my new-to-me 07 Speedy out for the very first time since I bought it last month. I discovered that it would be more comfortable for me if it was lowered 2-3 inches and I know someone on here will have an answer for me. Thanks!

Replace the rear shocks with some shorter ones

One relatively cheap solution is to have the seat foam trimmed down. It won't get you that much but it's a start. Front springs aren't that expensive so you're largest expense will be shorter rear shocks.

Of course, in the front you could loosen the yoke clamp bolts and move the fork tubes up an inch or so.

Progressive lowering springs in the forks and Loco s advice, buy some 11" 412 s also made by Progressive, you lose a lot of suspension travel on the rear as well as cornering clearance, so be warned. You can also loosen the trees and let you forks slide up evenly as a cheaper alternative on the front. Sometimes cool looking mods result in performance trade offs. Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down, good luck.

Yes as previously mentioned, Progressive lowering springs for the forks and 11" rear shocks. A low profile seat does make a big difference but it does have less padding so you will feel every bump. I have lowered the rear shocks but kept the front the same height but changed the fork springs to Progressive and added a low profile seat. It is a much lower riding height now. If I was going any more than say 250klms I would switch back the seat for comfort.

I lowered Wendy's bike 2"in the back and had to trim the chain guard to clear the frame and bend a tab on the Freak bracket to clear the chain. Later when it was time for a new tire I discovered that when the tire expands due to centrifical force it rubbed the rear fender. I had to adjust the tire size to clear.I played with the width and aspect ratio until I was happy. She is 5'2. I also moved the gear shift back for her and the brake pedal too. I installed floor boards too for comfort.

The easiest and cheapest way to lower the bike is to deflate the tires. But handling will suffer.

I had my "new" 07 TBA de-lowered last year. The previous owner dropped it by about 2". The first time I had it at the dealer, for another issue, they made it very clear to me that the bike was unsafe as is. Even wrote it on the work order receipt. It was also a PITA to use the bike lift, since it won't just fit underneath.

I noticed, the first time I took the bike out, that she was rougher & stiff. I went over some RR tracks and thought I was going to be tossed right off. I thought it was just because I hadn't ridden in a while. Once she was back to normal height, she rode much nicer. Of course, I also added the Hagon Nitros in the rear and Ricor Intiminators up front.

If at all possible, just play with the seat thickness. However, if you are still intent on lowering the bike, I will be selling my short rear shocks (Progressives) as well as the shortened kickstand (can't use the standard kickstand whn lowered and vice-versa), after I get back from overseas in March.