 Lowering brackets
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Just curious...have a few questions about lowering a bike...
Like...
If you lower a bike equally front and rear will it still handle well?
Cheapest way to lower front and rear?
Anyway to make own rear lowering brackets? And what to do with front forks?
Any and all info appreciated...
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Apr 2007
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no need for brackets if you wanna level it...you need a 11.5" .... and a some new front springs.. check out fast eddy
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Re: Lowering brackets
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yea front springs arent bad pricing...I geuss I was just looking for the cheaper option...
But does anyone know if lowering it evenly will give you a decend ride...Anyone ever try lowering it more in the front to give it a more level stance?
Last edited by Itlnstalian; 08/02/2009 1:30 AM.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
If you lower a bike equally front and rear will it still handle well?
Not if all you did was let the air out of the tires.
Quote:
Cheapest way to lower front and rear?
Let the air out of the tires.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,210
Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I got chopped springs front and rear about 2" lower than stock (I'm told). The previous owner lowered my bike so I'm not sure of the processes involved other than the obvious cutting of springs.
You live like 10 minutes away...we can swap bikes one day and you'll be able to look into the future. I wouldnt mind knowing how the stock bike handles actually...haha
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,466 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
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Quote:
Cheapest way to lower front and rear?
Let the air out of the tires.
Did that for a few miles one time...unintentionally. I don't recommend it 
Must remember to check pressure BEFORE leaving the garage 
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
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Quote:
Just curious...have a few questions about lowering a bike...
Like...
If you lower a bike equally front and rear will it still handle well?
Cheapest way to lower front and rear?
Anyway to make own rear lowering brackets? And what to do with front forks?
Any and all info appreciated...
I recommend everyone lowering a bike go here before making a decision. Read about lowering, cruisers and shocks. "You only know as good as you have ridden!"
http://www.racetech.com/
Last edited by frijoli; 08/02/2009 11:08 AM.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Apr 2007
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I lowered just the rear on my bike.... Its lowered a total of 2 1/2 to 3" in the rear... I used street boogie brackets and a smaller tire...It still handels great...and moved my handels bars high because my saddle is lower.....however the down fall is i drag my kick stand when i get into a tight lean
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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Quote:
I got chopped springs front and rear about 2" lower than stock (I'm told). The previous owner lowered my bike so I'm not sure of the processes involved other than the obvious cutting of springs.
You live like 10 minutes away...we can swap bikes one day and you'll be able to look into the future. I wouldnt mind knowing how the stock bike handles actually...haha
Tom's bike rides OK except no suspension travel. almost like riding a hardtail. When lowering biggest problem I had was the exhaust dragging the ground. I lowered Wendy's bike 2" with shorter shocks and had to bend the Freak bracket so the chain didn't hit it and cut the front of the chain guard so that didn't hit the frame but kept full suspension travel. Then when it came time for a new tire the stock tire was too big it just rubbed enough to feel like the brake was on when up to speed. I have to look at what size I used, I did the math and think I used a tire with 1/2" lower side wall but had to go slightly narrower since no one made one the same width with the right profile.
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 brackets
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So is anyone against lowering brackets...seems to be the cheapest way with progressibve fork springs for the front...Know where i can get them since street boogies is out of business?
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Re: Lowering brackets
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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 don't like the brackets because of how much it changes the angle of the shock and I am not sure how safe they are. Never heard of one failing but that doesn't mean they haven't. Wouldn't be hard to fab a set of lowering brackets and I think out of a piece of c channel would make them stronger.
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 brackets
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I'm against them. Wouldn't trust them. Do it right, man up, don't cheap out, buy lowered shocks.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Yea...you're right...actually...for like 50 bucks I can have Struts made any length I want and just slap on a spring seat.
Whats the ride like with a hardtail with a spring seat?
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Re: Lowering brackets
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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 rode a hardtail for years. run like 10psi in the rear tire and get used to the back end hopping through corners that are not smooth and it isn't bad. Also big bumps will kill your kidneys and back.
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 brackets
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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I rode my buddy's harley rigid chopper with an unsprung, bare metal seat. Only for a few miles, though. I imagine the springs help tremendously. Padding, too.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Re: Lowering brackets
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i made lowering brackets for mine them relocate the bottom mount of the rear spring it droped it 3 inches i haven't had any problems and i didn't alter anything on the bike so u can take them off and put it back stock no problem i made them from some angle iron from TSC search the "lowering rear" post and you will see
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 brackets
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Ya know, buying a set of stock shocks from either ebay or from someone off the clasifieds, and cutting the springs yourself seems like a cheap non-permanent way to lower the rear. I think skydiveJeff had struts on his bike for a while and ended up switching back to lowered shocks because the ride was unbearable, and he had a sprung seat.
I can tell you that mine rides pretty freaking hard and I have at least a little bit of flex on the rear swingarm. I remember having the rear tire pressure a little high one time and feeling every little nook and cranny in the road.
In my opinion the "coolness" of a real hardtail is the look of a rigid frame without shocks. Not because it rides like a boat trailer. So struts dont add the desired "look" they just add the pain.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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So lets sneak over to harley...you distract the gaurds with mutton chops and I'll confiscate some soft tail rears lol
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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a softail rear end would be pretty cool. Man, I'd rather have a custom rear made than a rigid frame for our bikes.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Sooo No body really answered what the ride would be like if I lowered the front more than the rear...if i leveled it off...would it turn like a tank?
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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i have chopped springs in the front too. But its not leveled. It slams pretty hard...like I said ride my bike for 10 minutes and take a vote.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
Sooo No body really answered what the ride would be like if I lowered the front more than the rear...if i leveled it off...would it turn like a tank?
My bike is stock, and it's level. What are you talking about?
Clay
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Re: Lowering brackets
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I'm saying stock rear...lowered front...Our bikes sit higher in the front...bonneville's and thruxton sit more level. Ya know?
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Re: Lowering brackets
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why not just raise the rear
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Re: Lowering brackets
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no way...too high already.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
I'm saying stock rear...lowered front...Our bikes sit higher in the front...bonneville's and thruxton sit more level. Ya know?
Level from where? My pipes are flat to the ground.
What are you looking at that makes you think they aren't level?
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Quote:
NVM...lol
Okay, whatever. I was trying to understand what you are lookin at because every speedy, america, and Bonneville Ive seen are level.
I think You still need to learn about lowering and handling. Go to racetech and see what they say.
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Re: Lowering brackets
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i think i know what he is saying ...he wants his seat and tank and bike lay out to be more like the old cafe racers i think
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Ryan,
Why not just slide the fork tubes up in the triple clamps.
Effectively lowering the front end....cost will be $0 and you can judge for yourself if your handling changes?
You will be more prone scraping your footpegs/footboards.
Tony G
'03 America
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Mar 2007
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I bought lowering brackets from STREETBOOGIE, dont know if he is still around, but I only lowered the rear. I am 5'7 200lb.
I have some occasional tire rub on the 12in deep/high potholes here in NYC. Sometimes my sceptres drag on tight turns, but they are LONG and low anyway. Other than that, I ride twisties in the mountains, and split lanes in the city, if anything they helped lower my center and add more grip to my rear brake. (pre brackets, I lost rear traction alot when rear brakeing in a tight turn... not anymore)
OH, Also depending on how low you go, I'm -2in, You have to trim the fender on the side where it meets the chain guard under the first frame/fender mount bolt. It can compress, and buckle the fender and chainguard.
cut it!
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Re: Lowering brackets
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I'm lowered 2" front and rear with Progressive Suspension components (pricey but, that's nothin'). My bike sits great, handles great, and only scrapes the kickstand under dramatic bumps or turns when riding 2 up, I'm 6', 190lbs. Hope that helps.
Strangler
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