 Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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OP
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Looking for anyone that has taken a sawsall or die grinder to the back springs of a SM or BA to lower the back end. Not looking for comfort as this is my in town bar hopper...just looking for a lowbudget chop job. Any suggestions or ideas to do or not to do?
Jeff
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: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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if you are just going to use it for a "bar hopper" you could fab up some metal to replace the shocks. you can cut it to your desired length & then have a ridgid.
we should do this every weekend!
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Rod ends work well for that.
There is also a company that cuts them down, I think they charge $75, but it certainly can be done. A set was listed in the classifieds at one time. maybe he can chime in, too.
2002 Bandit 1200/ GSXR cams/ 1277 BB Kit/ Holeshot header and can/ 38mm flatslides/ a good head/lotsa hp/lotsa tq- lots of rear tires...
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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OP
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Still would like to have the springs on there for the look. Thanks though!
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: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Apr 2007
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How about some 11" progressives. You'll get it low but still have some control. Still it depends on how radical you want to be, what your budget is and how low you want to get. Cutting springs is not a real pro way to go. 
...yes, that is a single seat...no, I will not put the other seat on...yes, I am selfish...yes, you should buy your own bike
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: May 2007
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How far do the 11" progressives drop the rear end? If you do that, do you have to lower the front end as well?
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: May 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
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Take a careful look at your chainguard and pipe clearance if you drop that much.
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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 Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Progressive shocks are definitely not low budget. If all you want is cheap, the old low-rider car trick should work.
They would heat the springs with a torch until they sagged and lowered the car. Can't be a worse ride than struts.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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My bike has chopped springs, front and rear. I bought the bike used like that so im not sure how he did it, but it sure rides rough..haha...
of course im not sure what the stock ride feels like, but I like to think its a rigid now. On some roads it really sucks but I still do about 100-200 miles every weekend.
Its supposed to be lowered 2.5" in the rear and 2" in the front..theres pics in my gallery.
I think the last owner had them powdercoated before he wanted to lower it. So instead of buying new lowered shocks he decided to just cut them instead of wasting all that money on having them powdercoated.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,382
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Jeff, these guys did my originals a couple of years ago. I also lowered the front by sliding the fork tubes up in the clamps. Fast and dirty. Sons of Thunder
Tony G
'03 America
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: May 2007
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I just dropped Sons of Thunder an email. I asked them about fork tube modifications as well as modifying our rear shocks and/or rigid struts. I will let you know what I find out.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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OP
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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: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Just my $0.02. I've never done it but back in the day, if you wanted to lower your van or pick-up you would put the spring in a bucket of cold water filled up to where you wanted to make the cut. The water kept the rest of the spring cool while you torched off one or two coils. I read this in a "25 years of truckin'" magazine.
1982 Pontiac Trans Am...K.I.T.T. in progress.
"It looks like Darth Vaders bathroom in here..."
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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My son brought home an old Jetta with coil springs all around. They had been chopped, which did lower it a bit. the problem was whenever you went over a large bump the springs would rattle around as the wheels would drop.
I have to imagine the same would happen with any shock that is designed for a certain length spring.
Gerry
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Mine never rattle...if you think about it the shock takes the shape of the spring so if the springs are cut then the shock is pushed into the new length...im sure the springs could rattle up and down if i jumped it and the swingarm fell down past the length of the spring..but arent the springs attached to the inside of the shock housing to prevent the shock from over extending?
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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I assume one would cut the top of the spring since the bottom portion is exposed. I've not dissassembled one, but if I did I would expect the spring to have a set length when at rest. I feel certain that the mfgrs design would have intended to always keep the spring under compression. to get the look you want, you'll need to cut 1-2 inches off the spring which in my opinion would result in a shock with too short a spring. In addition if you look at the bottom of the spring the coil pitch changes so that it can seat squarely. This I'm sure will be the same condidtion at the top of the spring. When you cut off this portion of the spring, you will then be left with the end of the coil concentrating its force in a small part of the shroud that captivates it. Grinding the coil as flat as possible will help this though.
Brokenfixed. How much coil did you remove?
Gerry
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
I just dropped Sons of Thunder an email. I asked them about fork tube modifications as well as modifying our rear shocks and/or rigid struts. I will let you know what I find out.
Those are the guys I was trying to remember. Thanks TonyG.
2002 Bandit 1200/ GSXR cams/ 1277 BB Kit/ Holeshot header and can/ 38mm flatslides/ a good head/lotsa hp/lotsa tq- lots of rear tires...
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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garibald:
I didnt do the spring chop, the last owner did..he said that its been lowered 2.5" in the rear and 2" in the front. The springs are pretty short and the look compressed so im guessing hes got the preload set on "******" or something...haah
(i got pictures in my gallery)
the problem is that i dont know what a stock shock looks like to compare them to mine, i mean ive seen pictures of stock bikes but theres not a good sense of scale in most of them.
all i know is...
-my wife hates riding with me
-the tires riding a 1/4" from the fender
-i blow fuses on the bigger bumps
-and i might as well have a rigid frame or those tie rod ends..haha
(i like the look of the springs though)
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Ghetto chops. I like it. Just don't cross the line and begin discussing the pros and cons of slugs.
I've done a shock chop a few times and always just used a hacksaw. Once you get a bite on the chrome, it's pretty quick. Just make sure to feather the edge of the cut with a good file, so it doesn't dig into the shock mount. And, it's a good opportunity to get creative with the chrome shroud.
Hated the rattle if the bike was up on the centerstand, but that shouldn't be a problem with T. And you might hear a clink or two after some hard bumps - but nothing that can't be masked with a proper exhaust.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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2" or better drop you will have to cut or remove the chain guard for sure the freak bracket will also hot the chain , the tab to hold the tool box has to be bent or cut off.
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: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I'd think if you just whack the coils, the piston rod would still bottom out, no?
2002 Bandit 1200/ GSXR cams/ 1277 BB Kit/ Holeshot header and can/ 38mm flatslides/ a good head/lotsa hp/lotsa tq- lots of rear tires...
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
2" or better drop you will have to cut or remove the chain guard for sure the freak bracket will also hot the chain , the tab to hold the tool box has to be bent or cut off.
I still have my chaingaurd on? whats the deal? Am I hitting something? Ive never felt it before.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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i cut mine about 6 months ago and also made my own lowering bracket, i took the shock and put it in a spring compessor
slide the top ring off cut 1 and 1/2 coils out put it back together. i ride 30 miles a day one way to work, i ride every day and had one lower back surgery and my bike rides fine some place i know were the bad roads are and just miss them.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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If your chain was hitting the Freak bracket, you'd know...it makes a heckuva noise. Mine did it once when I hit a pothole, and I cut off the bracket ASAP.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I dont have the freak, i just have the stock airbox hacked back. Is that why I havent heard anything?
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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how do you guys with lowered bikes go with taking passengers
the enemy of the system is the individual
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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...yes, that is a single seat...no, I will not put the other seat on...yes, I am selfish...yes, you should buy your own bike
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
how do you guys with lowered bikes go with taking passengers
I tried riding my wife, but we hit a huge bump in the road and she almost fell of the back...so since then she hasnt wanted to ride on it...haha
keep in mind though, my wife weighs 85lbs, so she wasnt really weighing down the rear...haha
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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im intrested in lowering the rear but dont want to sacrafice the ride, and would like to be able to take passengers if need be
what are the progressive shocks like for such application
the enemy of the system is the individual
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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i've got progressive 412s that lower it about an inch and there is somewhat of a difference but not too noticeable. my girlfriend rides with me every now and again and things are fine. you guys should consider these also http://marketworks.com/storefrontprofiles/deluxeSFshop.aspx?sfid=73147&c=49245
06 Speedmaster. Black and Sunset Red.
SS long slash, 135/45, AI out.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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i should mention that the lowering blocks work with stock springs... i still have yet to find out if they work with 1" lowered shocks.
06 Speedmaster. Black and Sunset Red.
SS long slash, 135/45, AI out.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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i dont know about those lowering blocks...they change the geometry of the shock dont they?...seems like they'd put a different wear on the shock, even compared to cut springs.
and that $150 is outragous for an inch lower rear.
I say if youre willing to pay for brand new shocks to lower it, you might as well cut the stock ones and see what happens first. Theres nothing like a free modification
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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has anyone changed the springs or had any made to lower the bike
dont like the idea of cutting springs
the enemy of the system is the individual
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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they claim that the lowering blocks bring the rear down 2 1/4"s. that's more than i've seen with just lowered shocks. besides if you get the painted black ones it's only 100 dollars. less than any shocks i've ever seen (that were worth a ******.)
the guy that sells them is on this site i believe. i think his name is boogieman.
06 Speedmaster. Black and Sunset Red.
SS long slash, 135/45, AI out.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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www.streetboogie.com is the site yeah the angle the shocks mount when you use those blocks doesnt look to healthy. It puts the shock at a point where theres more pressure pushing at the side of it, rather than to compress it at both ends...if youre gonna ruin the shocks, you might as well cut them and save yourself $100..ahah
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,337
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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there is a set of non-shocks on ebay... 
2002 Bandit 1200/ GSXR cams/ 1277 BB Kit/ Holeshot header and can/ 38mm flatslides/ a good head/lotsa hp/lotsa tq- lots of rear tires...
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Quote:
there is a set of non-shocks on ebay...
non-shocks?
the enemy of the system is the individual
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Got my lowering blocks in the mail today. I just finished putting them on. They went on really easily. I talked to Boogieman and he was very helpful. Everything looks good. It was advised to set the stock shocks to one more rigid setting than stock. As far as looks...I could see the top of my tire looking from the side before the mod.....Now, I have to put my finger up inside the fender well to be able to touch the tread (almost up to first knuckle before I reach it.)
I'll let you know how it rides tomorrow.
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Quote:
Got my lowering blocks in the mail today. I just finished putting them on. They went on really easily. I talked to Boogieman and he was very helpful. Everything looks good. It was advised to set the stock shocks to one more rigid setting than stock. As far as looks...I could see the top of my tire looking from the side before the mod.....Now, I have to put my finger up inside the fender well to be able to touch the tread (almost up to first knuckle before I reach it.)
I'll let you know how it rides tomorrow.
very intrested in how it rides, be sure to let us know
and did you have to modify the fender or chain guard in anyway? cheers
the enemy of the system is the individual
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Re: Anyone chopped the rear springs?
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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When I lowered Wendys bike 2" had to cut the chain guard to clear the fender and frame. Brokenfixed has cut shocks and the reason his didn't have to be cut is he basicly has a rigid now. He was over so I could get his bike running right and he has pretty much no travel left in his rear suspension. When I cut the chain guard all I did was touched up the bare metal on the edge with some black nail polish.
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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