Lowering a 1980 GS550ET

[Eukonidor]

Any thoughts on lowering a 1980 GS550ET. Already have the stock rear shocks as low as they go, but I'm barely touching the ground. Anyone out there have thoughts or suggestions on after-market shocks, or maybe something I haven't thought of.

Thanks!!


Jess

[GateKeeper]

would shaving the seat help ? take some of the padding out of it ? go to an upholstery shop and have them put in a thinner pad, but denser so you don't lose the comfort

.

[tkent02]

Get a 450L.

[Baatfam]

...but I'm barely touching the ground.

Jess...explain what you mean by "barely" touching the ground.
Can you get both feet to touch at the same time or only one?
As long as both feet touch, even if you are not flat footed, you should be fine...

Being able to flat foot a bike is overrated. I can't flat foot any of mine...

[GateKeeper]

you know what they say....

[Eukonidor]

When I say "barely touching the ground", I mean in order to get the left foot to touch the ground (tiptoe), I have to lean the bike to the left so the right foot is not touching at all.


Think I'm gonna try to shave the seat. It's like a sofa cushion.

Yeah, I know pics help. Trying to locate the cord for my camera to upload them.

[Eukonidor]

Been looking for a 450. Know of one? Willing to trade.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Eukonidor,

One of the links in your "mega-welcome" will take you to a page with this information:

Lowering Your Bike


Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Steve]

Hi Mr. Eukonidor,

Oops, psssst, hey, Cliff. In previous posts, Eukonidor has signed HER posts as "Jessica".

.

[Eukonidor]

Thank you for all the useful information, gonna start wading through it tomorrow. Thank you for the "mega-welcome", feeling the love.

Again, thanks!

[BassCliff]

Ms. Eukonidor,

Please accept my apologies. I had not seen your other posting where you identified yourself as a member of the fairer gender. We have so few ladies join us that I hope you will forgive my erroneous assumption.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Eukonidor]

Haha! Don't sweat it! I'm very aware that Eukonidor sounds "manly". You seem to be well schooled on this site, maybe you can help me out with something.

Is there a place to post video? Having some issues that I can't really explain "on paper". But a video might be helpful.


Jess

[cowboyup3371]

Your best bet Jessica is to put your video on Photobucket or Youtube and paste the link into a post here.

[Eukonidor]

Good idea, thanks!

Jess

[ValorSolo]

As mentioned in the link Basscliff posted, sliding the forks up the tree will help a bit.
I didn't get near 3/4" drop like stated, I got maybe only 1/2" drop.
So I bought a set of handlebar risers that allowed me to go further up the tube.
I bought the 30mm set and dropped my bike an inch with plenty to spare.
It would have been better to get the 15mm set, if staying with the stock bars.
I'll be putting on superbike bars eventually, so the 30mm suits my needs.