Author Couple lowering link questions  (Read 4059 times)

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  • Offline Wvvstar

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    Offline Wvvstar

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    • Bike: 2016 VFR1200X
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    Couple lowering link questions
    on: Aug 07, 2021, 08.35 pm
    Aug 07, 2021, 08.35 pm
    I’ve been researching and seems 20mm lowering plates are the recommended size.  Not been able to find a vendor or source (USA)…all I’ve found are 30mm.  Can someone point me to a vendor (anywhere) that sells the 20mm plates?  My 1200x is a 2016. 
    For those of you who have lowered your bike, do you have any issues with lean clearance / dragging on the tarmac?   IMO this bike handles great and I don’t want to mess up the lean ability as I hit the twisties pretty hard. 
    I’m 67 years young and the weight of this bike given the height when maneuvering in parking lots or on gravel (not actually riding yet) can be daunting.   
    I plan to have my standard height Touratech seat cut down to help…but I like using an Airhawk so that doesn’t help. 
    Am considering giving the lowering plates a try…can always go back to stock. 
    Know the side stand may need shortened but can tackle that IF the plates work to my liking.  Just have to find where I can obtain them. 
    Thanks for any input. 

  • Offline Fastvan61   00

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    Offline Fastvan61

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    Re: Couple lowering link questions
    Reply #1 on: Aug 08, 2021, 03.47 pm
    Aug 08, 2021, 03.47 pm
    Hi, these are the links I used for lowering my CT.

    www.projection-components.co.uk/honda-vfr1200-x-crosstourer--20mm-lowering-links-958-p.aspter

    After reading comments about grounding out I took the main stand off. Now I use an ABBA stand for maintenance. You can get away with the standard side stand just about. But it's difficult to deploy when you're sat on the bike. Had a stand cut down and welded but the welder didn't do much of a job. The thing bent just as I was manoeuvring the bike, I managed to catch it and get on but it made it tricky to dismount when i got home!  :789:

  • Offline matt28   nl

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    Offline matt28

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    Re: Couple lowering link questions
    Reply #2 on: Aug 08, 2021, 04.06 pm
    Aug 08, 2021, 04.06 pm
    Same as above. They seems to be doing work ok so far (rode around 2.5k miles since installation)

  • Offline Wvvstar

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    Offline Wvvstar

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    Re: Couple lowering link questions
    Reply #3 on: Aug 08, 2021, 05.14 pm
    Aug 08, 2021, 05.14 pm

    Thanks for the link and the info!  Got a set ordered! 
    I’ve never much liked the center stand on this bike…it’s a real bear to get the bike onto it (I may / Probably just a wimp)…and it always seemed too narrow…would feel more secure going up if about an inch wider stance maybe.   While handy for maintenance…if it touches down in the corners after bike lowered…I can DEFINITELY live without it. 

    Once I’ve tried the links and feel they are a good fit, I’ll look into having my side stand cut down a hair.   I have an ex-co-worker (still a good friend- ha) that’s an excellent engineer and machine worker…I’ll get him to help me out.   Maybe I’ll just pick up a spare stand from Honda (sure that would arrive really quick - sarc)…and have it cut down. 
    How much are people shortening the stands?  Guessing an inch maybe? 

    Be nice if an aftermarket vendor offered a shortened side stand.

    Take care and thanks again for the replies!

    Ron

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    Offline matt28

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    Re: Couple lowering link questions
    Reply #4 on: Aug 08, 2021, 05.25 pm
    Aug 08, 2021, 05.25 pm
    *Originally Posted by Wvvstar [+]
    Thanks for the link and the info!  Got a set ordered! 
    I’ve never much liked the center stand on this bike…it’s a real bear to get the bike onto it (I may / Probably just a wimp)…and it always seemed too narrow…would feel more secure going up if about an inch wider stance maybe.   While handy for maintenance…if it touches down in the corners after bike lowered…I can DEFINITELY live without it. 

    Once I’ve tried the links and feel they are a good fit, I’ll look into having my side stand cut down a hair.   I have an ex-co-worker (still a good friend- ha) that’s an excellent engineer and machine worker…I’ll get him to help me out.   Maybe I’ll just pick up a spare stand from Honda (sure that would arrive really quick - sarc)…and have it cut down. 
    How much are people shortening the stands?  Guessing an inch maybe? 

    Be nice if an aftermarket vendor offered a shortened side stand.

    Take care and thanks again for the replies!

    Ron

    This particular set is lowering your bike realistically about 16mm. I haven't made any adjustments to front suspension, also, I haven't cut side stand either.

     

  • Offline Wvvstar

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    Offline Wvvstar

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    Re: Couple lowering link questions
    Reply #5 on: Aug 08, 2021, 05.40 pm
    Aug 08, 2021, 05.40 pm
    Was wondering what you did on the forks.  I’ve read 10mm…but with a 16mm rear drop…I’m thinking nothing more than 5mm would be needed.  May research this some more.

    Did some search on eBay and looks like some aftermarket “adjustable” universal side stands are available that supposedly fit the VFR1200x. 

  • Offline Fastvan61   00

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    Offline Fastvan61

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    Re: Couple lowering link questions
    Reply #6 on: Aug 09, 2021, 07.52 am
    Aug 09, 2021, 07.52 am
    Must admit I didn't measure the drop but it made a big difference when sat on the bike. I dropped the front around 10mm which coincided with the bottom of the parallel portion of the fork, beneath that you're onto the taper so reduced clamping. Standard suspension with veejays settings front and back and travelling 2 up. I know it could be bettered with after market stuff but for the amount of time we're  on it I can put up with the short comings.

    Between covid, work and the weather,  I try to remember I've got a bike!

    Rob

  • Offline Wvvstar

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    Offline Wvvstar

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    Re: Couple lowering link questions
    Reply #7 on: Aug 09, 2021, 01.37 pm
    Aug 09, 2021, 01.37 pm
    Thanks for your input.  After posting my original I did some search and it seems most are happy with the 10mm raise of the forks.  Sounds like the spot to start.   

    I was worried about my plate order…I went back into the website later to forward to one of my riding buddies and the site showed “temporarily out of stock” !  But…got email today that my order has been processed so I must have got the last set off the shelf.  Shew! 

    I retired on March of ‘19….figured I’d ride SO much more…but we haven’t. Seems harder to get everybody’s schedules lined up.   Me and one other friend have at least taken a day ride about every week.   Hard to believe it’s the mid of Aug already.  But the Fall is my favorite time to ride here in West Virginia…the Fall foliage makes for some beautiful trips.

     



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