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Dropping front end

  • Thread starter Thread starter aznpride75
  • Start date Start date
A

aznpride75

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Hey guys first off I've gotta say this forum is AMAZING! And I hate to be lazy about this but my computer crashed and makes my life much harder when trying to find solid information. But my question is, is there any "easy" way to run the stock forks (85 gs550l...or what's left of it.) And lower them. I was hoping to lower them around 7". The only way that I can think of dropping that far is going to a spring conversion and cutting them. Any info would be great,thanks for running and keeping an amazing forum.
 
Do you want suspension at all? With a 7" drop that will take up all of the forks travel, and would basically make the bike a hard-front, as opposed to a hard tail. :rolleyes:

Did you also remove the rear shocks? I've never need a totally rigid GS before. Post pictures. And video of someone riding it!
 
7" !!!!!!!!
Why ?!?!?! The bike will handle and corner like a pig....if it would corner at all, without constantly scraping......:confused::confused:

To answer your question...It's not something that I know how to do.
 
I found your build thread. For relevance for this thread, I lifted a picture you posted back in June.

IMG_0787.jpg



I again echo why you want to drop 7 inches? 2-3 inches would look cool enough, and still not ruin the handling and ride.


I really hope you were kidding with the 7 inch thing.
 
haha...here we go..well its in the process of getting a hard tail now. i will try and post pictures of it soon. it looks nothing like it did when i last posted pictures. and im look at around 5.5-6.5" drop...haha its going to be low. yes i know its not really going to handle worth...well crap really but you gotta remember i got the bike for $200. If i cant do anything with the stock forks is there anyother set ups that you can think of??
 
aznpride75 said:
haha...here we go..well its in the process of getting a hard tail now. i will try and post pictures of it soon. it looks nothing like it did when i last posted pictures. and im look at around 5.5-6.5" drop...haha its going to be low. yes i know its not really going to handle worth...well crap really but you gotta remember i got the bike for $200. If i cant do anything with the stock forks is there anyother set ups that you can think of??
Click to expand...


mountain bike forks? :)
 
You'd have to cut the stock fork legs down. And re-thread the top end so you can use the fork cap. Then install some much heavier springs and oil, essentially to limit the fork travel to the inch you will have left. I would suggest finding an experienced machinist to talk to who would have better ideas.

I suppose if you don't care about suspension at all. Why not weld the fork lowers to the fork tubes. Then you don't have to worry about things like spring rates and fork oil.

For your sake please wear a helmet when you ride it. And take videos. :pray:
 
Tim Tom said:
You'd have to cut the stock fork legs down. And re-thread the top end so you can use the fork cap. Then install some much heavier springs and oil, essentially to limit the fork travel to the inch you will have left. I would suggest finding an experienced machinist to talk to who would have better ideas.

I suppose if you don't care about suspension at all. Why not weld the fork lowers to the fork tubes. Then you don't have to worry about things like spring rates and fork oil.

For your sake please wear a helmet when you ride it. And take videos. :pray:
Click to expand...

thats what i was starting to think. aside from the soild set up...im not THAT crazy...i think haha. and no worries i always wear a helmet when i ride and usually leathers. thanks for the help man.
 
You got the bike for $200, you will likely spend well over $200 machining and re-threading fork tubes, not to mention the price of stiffer springs and beefy spacers. If you are willing to spend that much, why not do what the old chopper guys did and have some one cut off your head tube and weld it back with a shallower angle. Leave the fork tubes the same length and install some longer spring spacers in the forks and the thickest molasses fork oil you can find?

IMO, your cheapest option is to pull the tubes up 3", get some progressive fork springs and cut off 5-6" off the loose part of the springs, makes some thick walled spacers that poke out off the fork an inch or so, then use heavy fork oil. Test the limits of how much more you can safely pull the forks up, then tie some goddamn flags to the top ends of the forks and call it a day.

EDIT: I just noticed your handlebars might get in the way of this plan, so maybe get some handlebar risers. This plan is becoming increasingly more expensive as well...
 
Last edited:
mrl1000l said:
EDIT: I just noticed your handlebars might get in the way of this plan, so maybe get some handlebar risers. This plan is becoming increasingly more expensive as well...
Click to expand...

He could also put on some clip ons and loose the risers and tube handles. I think you can find some for the forks pretty cheap. Certainly you'd have enough fork above the trees to mount too!
 
aznpride75 said:
im look at around 5.5-6.5" drop...haha its going to be low. yes i know its not really going to handle worth...well crap really
Click to expand...

Beyond the 'quality' of the handling, you have to remember the ground clearance issues with regards to turning. Bikes have to lean over to turn, and if you drop it too much you won't be able to lean it over far enough to turn the thing. If you try, you could end up putting down hard parts, and levering your back wheel up off the ground.
 
The prior post are all valid.

However, the biggest problem you'll end up with is that your bike will be dangerous as hell. Lowering the front like that will make the front end angle so steep that you'll definitely end up with tank slapper.

Good luck.

Dave
 
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