lowering link

whateva · 03-05-2009, 4:03 PM

Hi friends,
I'm just trying to sort out some things on an '03 Blackbird that I bought on eBay. It's quite a bit lower than my '97. It's awful hard to get up on the center stand and when it's on the centerstand the rear tire is way off the ground. I see underneath what looks like a lowering link. Is it likely that something has been done to the front end also to lower it, or does a lowering link lower the whole bike? Are these things a good idea? Am I loosing something in handling? I like the idea of being a little lower actually although I am 6'2" and certainly don't need it. Anyone with experience please tell me what you know about this. I was just laid off from my job and I don't have much money to put into the bike as it needs a rear tire and rear brakes too. Perhaps I could have it adjusted to the other notch or have it removed. Thank you...

shakey1378 · 03-06-2009, 9:25 PM

it will handle better at stock height. most who do a lowering link will raise the forks in the triple tree a bit. if this is not done most likely the front was left alone. it does mess with the handling. but the previous owner may not hit the turns that hard. got a pic of the bike?

whateva · 03-08-2009, 5:22 PM

Thank you for the reply,
I don't have a picture of the '97 next to the '03 which would show how much lower the '03 is. I can get one; but I talked to the original owner and he tells me that he will get me the original part to put back in there when the lowering link is removed. (I think that is what's required), and also that, like you said, they loosend up the triple tree(s) and moved the front forks, so it shouldn't be a problem to return the front end to stock. The lowering link looks like it has another setting, perhaps not as low. It has another hole with a bushing in it , which looks like you could remove the bolt from where it is and put it in that hole. Maybe I should try that first. I'm a tall person and I guess I just don't want the handling of the bike to be diminished, because I don't benefit from it being lower as far as comfort. Thank you for taking the time to help...

shakey1378 · 03-08-2009, 5:49 PM

i would only need to see a pic of the current bike, it will be obvious at least it usually is...

i would buy a stock link on ebay and then put it back to stock. it will work better for you that way. for now dont lean too much in the turns as it may be easy to scrape.

whateva · 03-11-2009, 11:07 AM

My picture is over the 1 meg capacity that I am allowed. Also, I was measuring the kickstand on the lower bike compared to the '97 which is stock. I expected to see that the kickstand is shorter but I don't. When you compress the suspension and then clamp it down, which is what has been done here in effect, perhaps the ground clearance remains the same and an adjustment in kickstand length is not needed. How does this work?
thank you again...

shakey1378 · 03-11-2009, 11:33 AM

email me the pic.

shakey1378@hotmail.com

some guys will leave the kickstand alone it just makes it that much easier to tip over. does the bike sit almost perfectly vertical on the stand?

shakey1378 · 03-11-2009, 11:57 AM

got the pic. nice bike!

you probably have just the factory kickstand. looks to me like a 1-2 inch lowering link and they only raised the forks about a 1/2 inch. what i reccomend to do is the same get a oem rear link and make your forks flush again and should be good as new...

at the moment your susp. geometry is a lil off.

whateva · 03-11-2009, 12:18 PM

OK, I think that sounds like good advice. Thank-you...

Todd84 · 03-11-2009, 2:39 PM

I had a lower link on my 954 I sold the link for $50 and bought one for $10. I suggest you do the same.

bigtwan251975 · 03-25-2009, 9:05 PM

i got dibs on the link if you would you like to sell

whateva · 04-21-2009, 3:30 PM

One more question. The lowering link installed on my bike has 3 holes. One on one end and two on the other. The inside hole is being used at this point. I asked the Honda mechanic if we switched to the outside hole,would this lower the bike more or raise it? He said he is almost sure that that would lower it more but isn't positive. Does anyone know how these three hole links work. I've searched but don't see it anywhere. thank you...

shakey1378 · 04-21-2009, 3:31 PM

yes it would lower it more. the longer the link the lower the ride height.