Lowering link kit for GL1800

[snoopy]

Being height challenged and old looking for a used 1 1/4 inch lowering link so I can flat foot the wing for a change, put one on SO bike and love being able to flat foor. I put a progressive spring on a trike take off rear shock and it raised the bike by about 1 inch. Dont know if a 2012 take off rear shock would lower it back to stock height any one know

[crabbywinger]

Snoopy - When I put a '12 shock and Progressive spring on my '01, looked at the two springs side by side and if memory serves (CRS ain't for sissies) they were both almost the same height. Not much help but the best I can do. Our buddy Rocky would be the guy to ask, and the nice part is we can again. Take care.

Crabby Bob

[Rocky]

Lowell. as you know with doing this to you brides bike.you also need to change out the center & side stands.
You should have raised the forks in the tree to restore the bikes geometry to keep the handling true.

With that said. How crafty are you? do you know a local welder who you trust?

This lowering link is pricy. http://www.lowerwingproducts.com/feedback.html

Sport bikes do it this way.



Knowing what they want for the lowering knuckle. I'd get creative and build my own lowering links/bars like I installed on my brides CBR500RA


It's going to require an ebay purchase like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/360941399168...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

What your goal is is to create a new link that has multiple holes like the Roaringtoys link above has.




Before you start-sit on the bike and have a friend measure form both bag guards as you level the bike. (This is your reference point for later)

You'll need two pieces of 3/16 bar stock to make longer bars and drill holes in one end of each.
What these style of lowering links do is give you a choice of many heights instead of just one set lowering point or you'll have to exchange the one you bought new or if used are now stuck with.

FYI. My brides 500RA has the same cantilever as our 1800's do so this is why I'm typing all this out for you. "It's very doable and with way more lowering choices and so cheap to build"

You'll have to ues a dye grinder with a cut off wheel to remove the welds on the OEM link. They are welded only on the outside which makes grinding off the welds very easy.

Make your links 2 1/2-3 inches longer tan the OEM links so you'll have room for the five holes you'll drill into them.

No need to cut the bar stock exactly as you see the roaringtoys link, Because you'll never see it under the bike..

As for the center stand and side stands.

Have someone measure the bike on it's wheels with you sitting on the bike to level it.
After you modify the lowering links and your happy with where you want the height now.
have a friend measure the height of the bike now.
Mark the feet of each stand for orientation with a sharp punch for rewelding later. (High enough on their leg because you'll be cutting off a piece)
Cut the feet off each stand with the die grinder.

Cut half that bike lowered measurement off the bottom of each stand leg (s) and reweld there feet back onto them.

I know it sounds like a lot of work. but in the end,you'll save a ton of money and get way more adjustments instead of a "one size fits all" and still have to buy or modify stands.



Then raise the fork tubes in the triple trees.

Having said all of this the most important part is. "Lowering any bike reduces ground clearance"



As to your question about OEM spring height and the Progressive.

Both springs are the same height. The spring rate is different.
OEM 12-14 is 1,000 pounds
Progerssive is 1,000-1200 depending on your presets.

So techically both are the same until you add presets. the progressive get stronger the more you add. The Oem is the same rate throughout the preset range..

The shocks are only different in the internal rebound/compression dampening Honda had installed in them. All of them are the same length. The Spring rate is what keeps them extended until weight is put on them by the bike and Rider (s) =Sag.

There are three generations of OEM shocks.
Gen-1 2001-2005 Red Lettering on label.
Gen-2 2006-2010 Black lettering on label.
Gen-3 2012-2014 Blue lettering on label (Green lettering in Canada).

So with all that info. what do you try first?

If I were you. I'd find a Gen 3 shock and use a OEM 1,000 spring because I know you don't weigh all that much. This you may find is the easiest solution for your built.

Here is a secret on buying a take off shock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never buy a shock if the bump stop isn't free of dirt.
Dirt can't not be washed out (Believe I tried different cleaning agents and nothing got it all out)

If it's dirty at all-You have no way of knowing how many miles are on it.

This is what the rubber bump stop should look like on any so called new take-off shock.

[crabbywinger]

Dayum - Sure nice to have your expertise available again Rocky. Glad you're here.

Crabby Bob

[Rick Mays]

I will have some more new shocks in a week.

Here is where the guy got the last one I installed for him. Do some reading on his site. There is some good info in it about what your wanting to do. http://www.lowerwingproducts.com/index.html

[snoopy]

Wife bike already has the lowering link installed I bought it off of a board member at a great price. I lowered the forks and installed a bushing in the kick stand to get the lean angle right when on side stand. Center stand removed and have not cut it as of yep but plan to. Had to remove it because the feet drug on speed bumps.

Now my bike after I installed the progressive rear spring and trike take off shock my bike leans over way to far and hard to get off the side stand for a old man, I made a 1/2 inch space for the bottom of the side stand foot and that helped but seems the ride height is higher than it was.

All may be a mute point we are thinking of selling all our bikes and getting a trike. Wife looses sight in her right eye sometimes due to restricted blood vessels and one time she did in both eyes on the parkway and I talked her to a stop. Sight usually comes right back but scares the crap out of us and she thinks it's time she started riding behind me again.

Anyone interested in a 2012 level on white wing, 2004 flare red wing 113000 miles and a 2012 NC700XC with only 600 miles ?

Thanks Rocky I may try to make a link if I keep the bikes, sure is nice to have you back with us you were missed

[Rick Mays]

Sounds like you know the way your headed Snoop, sell em all and jump on a Trike and never look back! That is scary for your wife, hate to hear that. You two hang in there buddy!

[crabbywinger]

Snoopy - Like Rick says just do it! That is very scary what Ms Vic is going through, hope it can be fixed. The two of you are a great team, it will all work in the end. Take care.

Crabby Bob

[Wheels]

Snoopy, I certainly hope that there is better news ahead for that lovely bride of yours. She makes that Flair Red Bike look really good. But, as you know, that Flair Red sure can look good as a Trike and that bike has lots of miles and smiles left. All the best my friend.

This is what I remember about a place long ago. Smart guys helping out others with real solutions.

[snoopy]

Thanks Wheels for the well wishes yep she is really easy on the eyes but much not be able to see very well because she married me.

Gonna get Rocky to help we build a lowering kit so you can go back to two wheels gonna have to be kinda low I would think

Great to be able to pull your chain again my friend

[Yellowbird]

Good info here i have a friend looking to lower his wing.