K11 Owners Group

Ragman · Mad Brick Rider Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 97

Thinking about how to lower my '95 LT.

Raise the forks 1" and use a 1" shorter shock?

Has anyone done this?

Is it possible?

Thanx.

Ragman
_________________
"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."
~Thomas Jefferson

1995 K1100LT
1980 Hadley Giggleson FLHC

Shoganai · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 2:53 am Post subject:

Hi Ragman,

DON'T DO IT!!

I did and the gyroscopic dynamics of the bike made it unstable and unpredictable in turns.

I didn't know how bad until I went back to the way the bike was built.

It was suddenly smooth and lineer in turns.

I had to re-learn how to ride it.

NOW, having your saddle lowered (made thinner) don't mess with the handling and may offer you a riding / standing position that meets your needs.

This I did and liked it very much.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

Beachcomber · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 4:32 am Post subject:

Hi Ragman

DO IT !!!!!!!!!!

I fitted 30mm shorter shocker my K1100RS and raised the fork tubes 5mm.

result - sweeter handling bike that went round a closed circuit [ with competent pilot ] 3 SECONDS quicker than the OEM set up.

I have 29.5" inside leg and often did the Monty Python bit when coming to a stop - especially on an off cambered road.

As I wanted to replace the shocker with something more special than stock, I took the opportunity to go the 30mm shorter route. Result - I can now plant my feet on the floor with a stock seat - AND handling is improved.

Sorry to disagree Shoganai - maybe you didn't set the bike up properly for your shorter set up?

We've now sold 30+ shorter shox for K75/K100/K1100 - ALL with positive feedback from the owners..........................
_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

Shoganai · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 5:04 am Post subject:

No worries Beechcomber Very Happy

To each his own.

@ OP do what make you a happier rider. Cool

_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

rkildu · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 9:28 am Post subject:

I lowered mine and I haven't noticed any negative effects. I put a Works shorter shock and raised the forks in the triple tree 1", just as you plan. I do a lot of riding in the Ozark twisties and it handles just fine.

The only negative I found was that it was hard to get on and off the center stand. I finally bought a used assembly and had the center stand and the side stand shortened. Problem solved. Some folks have talked about removing some spacers between the center stand assembly and the transmission. I'm not sure that mine has those but I didn't think of that anyway.
_________________
Rod Kilduff
97 K1100LT HighLine
82 R100Lufty

RJTrucker · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 9:38 am Post subject: lowered L1100LT

I lowered my K1100LT and the only Negitive is it is a beast to get on the side stand. Handles great. I used a lowered YSS shock in the rear. I also pushed the fork tubes thru the tripple trees 5/8 of an inch. Because I have only a 28" inseam I also had to use a low seat conversion. If you want I can get you the info on the YSS shock I used. I have used the bike 2 up and pulling a camper as well as alone with no adverse handling issues. YSS can custom build you a shock if you need shorter and a heavyer spring for 2 up riding. I will be putting one on my K100RS I am working on now.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

RJTrucker · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 9:39 am Post subject: Center stand

I ment to say it is a beast to get on the center stand not the side stand. but with the bike lowered the bike is more uprigh on the side stand and not leaning all the way over like it is about to fall.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

Ted · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 3:01 pm Post subject:

I will add a caveat - I experimented with lowering my K75S with a shorter Works shock and lowering (raising?) the forks with almost disastrous results. Seems that lowering them really magnifies any mis-adjustment in the steering head and as Shogani pointed out, creates a dangerously unstable ride. I went back to stock before figuring out I needed to get my steering head tended to.

So from my experience it can be done but you have to make very certain your tires are always properly inflated and not worn or cupping, and that your steering head is properly adjusted and the bearing sound. Adding a custom seat shaved on the sides a bit to increase usable inseam also does wonders.
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

Beachcomber · Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 3:06 pm Post subject:

The centre stand was binned when I fitted the shocker as I fitted a 5.5" K1200 rear wheel at the same time - so no probs with that !

And yes, the bike sits at a sensible angle now on the side stand.

Don't forget - a 1" [ 25mm] shorter shocker does NOT equate to a 1" lowered bike [due to the angle of the shock].

We spent a LOT of time experimenting on a closed circuit with raising the fork tubes in the trees and ended up with 5mm [ 1/4" ].

However ALL my riding is done solo with no luggage / accessories.

I had omitted the make of the shock in the interests of impartiality, but I see that YSS has had a nod, so - the shock fitted was the new Alloy bodied fully adjustable RAM which several K11OG members have also fitted.
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Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

Ragman · Mad Brick Rider Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 97

Great info. and food for thought.

My main concern is to get the bike to sit a little lower.

The better handling would be a real plus but I don't push the corners like I used to. I considered lowering the seat but my knees will ache. Perhaps narrowing the front of the seat is part of the answer.

So it looks like the shorter shock and lower front will be the answer.

Looks like the cost will be over $600 and will be a problem. I'll have to wait till the economic wind shifts. (if ever).

Please let me know if there's any other alternatives.

Again, thanks for all the great input.

Rag
_________________
"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."
~Thomas Jefferson

1995 K1100LT
1980 Hadley Giggleson FLHC

Beachcomber · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 5:33 am Post subject:

Hi Rag,

several members of this parish have already fitted the RAM shocker and feedback has been excellent.

As a club member you get a 10% discount from the retail price.

Price depends on which shocker you choose, but it will be around £210 [ $500 ?? ] for a complete kit including spring, C Spanner and new fittings.

Check out the RAM thread under "Products" for pix and feecback.

If you need any further info. then send me a PM and I'll gladly fill you in.[/img]
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Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

Shoganai · Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 8:24 am Post subject:

Beachcomber · Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 5:10 am Post subject:

Shoganai,

am I right in thinking that most roads in the US are "flat" across the width?

Here in the UK all roads a quite noticeably "crowned" - meaning that as you get towards the kerb [ edge] there is often quite a severe slope off.

It was on several of these occassions that I very nearly dropped the bike - the road surface was further away than I thought ! To be honest it was spoiling my enjoyment of the bike AND incidentally the reason why I sold the previous bike - a Guzzi Centauro.

That is why I decided to do something about the seat height.

I understand your trepidation about hacking your bike frame around - but I have spent a lifetime [ working and leisure ] doing just that with cars and bikes. Altering or creating from scratch a frame or chassis holds no terror for me. BTW - I AM a qualified auto design engineer! However in this case that is NOT the most simple answer - seat height and or shorter shocker is the obvious method.

My life has been spent looking at problems [ engineering ] and finding a resolution

Designing and developing the RAM shocker [ including the 1" shorter version ] was the result of a lot of discussion, laboratory testing and then finally - road and track testing.

As a coincidence of that, I have been delving into the OEM frame geometry which can also be affected by large payloads [ ie 2 heavy people + luggage], wheel / tyre diameter etc.

A pity the Mason's not still around - he was also into thinking outside the box.
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Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

Gomedic · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2010 8:57 pm Post subject:

Ragman...when I bought my 97KLT it had a lowering shock on it. As I am 6' with a 34" inseam, I didnt need it. Of course I kept it. I have had it hanging in my garage since then. I would be more than happy to get rid of it to someone who will use it!

Shoot me a fair offer and I will send it out to ya!

Glenn
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1997 K1100LT Mine...ALL MINE!