Lowering Via Triple

[InfiniteReality]

No rubbing here. 7 top 7 bottom around 14mm threads showing. For awhile i had it at 7,10, 18mm showing but i like it soft. Im more of a roll on guy not a drag racer. 210 in gear

Awesome, appreciate the info! I'm considering installing a heavier Trac Dynamic spring to help as well. Probably wouldn't have hurt to do it when I built the bike, lol

 

[InfiniteReality]

It's always been heavy steering since I built it, took it today to church and was too light so I dropped the rear 3/8". Not sure what screws (maybe rebound?) are set at but fixing to adjust them. I'll do 7 in front and little more than that in rear

 

[InfiniteReality]

Completely happy with how bike looks a feels now after ride to work. I have 7 clicks on forks and 11 clicks on rear shock. I mean to put some tape under the tail to see if it's rubbing, but forgot. I'm sure if it is, I will be able to tell since I just installed a new trash can in the tail. I'm 6' and have a New Image seat, but the bike is MUCH easier to back into the motorcycle parking area on gravel at work.

The weird part is the bike, some how, feels smaller now when riding. On the way to work I keep going over in my head what I messed with this weekend for it to feel smaller, lol. I gues

For for all the help, should have asked a long time ago!

 

[Dark3]

What do you mean 7 clicks on forks and 11 on rear? You do know there are two setting plus preload for front and rear right? Like im 4 clicks out bottom and 3 clicks out top and two line showing. Rear is 7 top 7 bottom and 14mm showing

 

[Dark3]

And that is clicks out from all the way in

 

[Dark3]

The biggest thing that will help you not bottom out is cranking that spring down. You can use a set of channel locks, works easily. Then the screws to dial in the spring setting. Cranking the spring down too much makes for a crappy ride though. What is your weight?

 

[InfiniteReality]

Nope I did not realize there was setting's top and bottom of both! I only adjusted top of forks and left side of the top of rear shock. And of course I did it backwards, I did it from all the way out, lol.

I have (or had) a pair of spanner wrenches laying around some where before we moved. If I can find them, they may fit to adjust the spring. I think I may eventually get a new spring though. Before I lowered the rear, it didn't rub with only me, but with my wife it did and she weighs less than 100lbs.

I weigh 185lbs right now.

 

[Dark3]

Yea you should be better off now lol. For my set up which is soft crank the nut on the top of the forks all the way down then 3 full revolutions back out for 2 lines showing. Turn the top scres all the way in and back out 3 clicks. On the bottom near the wheel is another screw turn that all the way in and 4 clicks out. On the rear 7 out top and bottom and 14mm of threads showing on the top of the spanners. You can use a 14mm socket to cut a piece of zip tie or something to measure is you dont have a machinists ruler

 

[Dark3]

That set up is soft but much firmer than factory. If i dont rub at 210 suited and enjoy a soft ride you should be perfect at 185 and possibly even 2 up

 

[InfiniteReality]

I'm with you on that, I'd love a softer ride. Changing what I changed last night, I could tell it was fairly firm than what it was. I'll make the extra changes today or tomorrow, then start looking for my spanner wrench to adjust the shock.

I was glad to lighten up the steering. Now if I can just understand why the bike feels smaller now.... Just weird.

 

[VIPER]

man thats awful low in the front. If you hit any good hard bumps you are going to bottom out.looks sweet as hell but yikes little scary.

 

[piratediverjefff]

I'm with you on that, I'd love a softer ride. Changing what I changed last night, I could tell it was fairly firm than what it was. I'll make the extra changes today or tomorrow, then start looking for my spanner wrench to adjust the shock.

I was glad to lighten up the steering. Now if I can just understand why the bike feels smaller now.... Just weird.

They definitely look/feel smaller when you lower and use a New Image seat,I look like an overgrown kid on this thing.

 

[InfiniteReality]

I guess I've just gotten use to the feel of it over last 5yrs. I remember after I sold the Gen1 and bought a new Gen2, with being stock height and seat, felt like I was on a dirt bike, haha!

I can't believe I never lowered it before now and even worse thought it was lowered. Every other time I'd get on it to go ride I'd tell myself I need to post something to ask about the triple. I love it, now just need to adjust the settings....I forgot yesterday.

I put a piece of painters tape where it rubbed on the trash can when riding 2 up and before I lowered. I'll see if what it looks like after work and if it rubs with just me.

 

[piratediverjefff]

 

[InfiniteReality]

The bike barely rubbed on the rear today, not even enough to go thru the tape.

I adjusted all the upper and lower screws just now. The fork nuts look like this right now. There's barely 3 lines showing now, I want to leave it and see how it goes tomorrow on way to/from work

 

[Tufbusa]

I'm totally confused here

First you lower your bike because you like the way it looks, then you add preload to raise it back up! Why?

 

[Dark3]

He should add preload based on his weight so he doesnt bottom out the suspension travel. Ive had that happen. Not a good feeling in triple digits. Reguardless of lowering you need to stiffin these bikes up unless you are the light weight rider mod. Btw i still think you need to hide another line up front or "H" the screws one click from those other settings so its working properly

 

[InfiniteReality]

I'm totally confused here

First you lower your bike because you like the way it looks, then you add preload to raise it back up! Why?

I don't believe I raised it back up. I didn't adjust the, for lack of the proper word, fork nuts (these are preload, right?). I also didn't adjust the rear shock itself either. I only made adjustments to the upper & lower screws front and rear. Am I thinking correctly that it didn't adjust the height?

I rode with the settings per Dark3's recommendation for upper and lower screws yesterday and this morning. It definitely is a lot firmer ride than before and I feel more confident in corners, but I do miss the ride I had before. I'm sure it's like anything, you can have your cake and eat it too.... it's either one or the other or find a good medium. I also put a new piece of painters tape in same spot on the rear and with these settings it rubbed a little more than with previous settings.

 

[Dark3]

Man i sure am curious why you are rubbing. Im heavier than you and havent ever rubed. What is your rear set up again? Fully Adjustable or 3 hole dog bones? Im on the middle hole. You are sure you applied the right settings to the rear?

 

[Dark3]

I was riding with only one line showing and 17 or 18 mm threads showing 7 top and 10 bottom on the rear amd I would have described it like you are "missed the nice ride" thats why i ended up at 2 limes 14mm 7 amd 7. Left the front the same 4 and 3 and its perfect for me at 210. Nice and soft but not too much. What confuses me is that you are still rubbing. Im also +6 and if i wanted to i could make it barely move when i sit on it but the ride would suck. If your fully adjustable rear then obviously you just have to raise it a bit.