Installing Lowering Links on a KLR

[Luna Tique]

Well as most of you know I have added a KLR to the "Bat Cave" :ecstasy:

There is only one problem I can not touch a toe to ground so I ordered

a pair of Soupy Preformance Lowering links (http://www.soupysperformance.com/homepage.html)

The package arrived with the new links on Monday,but work got in the way and I would not be able to move the bike to the shop until Tuesday.


http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/812493413_Ymney-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#812493413_Ymney)
The first thing we did was set the bike on it's center stand and using a level balance the bike measure the distance from a fixed point on the bike to the ground ( I used the luggage rack as a reference point) I cut a stick to lenght and propped the rear end up Since I wasn't sure what would happen when the dog bones were removed and I needed the reference point to measure exactly how far I was lowering the bike.

Then my first challenge was to break loose the nuts on the "Dog Bones"

http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/812493409_AbmgW-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#812493409_AbmgW)

As luck would have it I picked the hardest one to start with.:shrug: The remaining three went fairly easy.:yahoo:


http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/812493619_XKJbB-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#812493619_XKJbB)


The Soupy's are pre-set and they recommend you NOT touch any adjustments until they are installed. When I put them on it lowered the rear end 2 3/4".
Concerned about changing the geometry of the bike to much JT helped me adjust the two links to measure exactly the same reaching a 1 3/4" lower height.

Next step was the Front fork tubes.

:slaphead:Now that was turning out to be a little harder.
The obvious was loosening the 8 screws on 2 sets of clamps on the Triple Tree .
I swedged screwdrivers into the clamp to open them further and pushed down on the handle bars.

http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/812493475_xUtpa-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#812493475_xUtpa)

:chin: They wouldn't move :shrug:

Raised the back end of the bike with the hoist and they still wouldn't move.:chin:

http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/812493513_cLemu-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#812493513_cLemu)

When I am in over my head I drop a dime "KCD help me" I shouted into the phone :lol:

She is not farmiliar with the KLR but suggested maybe there was an allen screw that needed to be loosened.:chin:
:shrug: Couldn't find one but I had booted up my computer and got on line to ADV and under the THUMPER forum I posted my question (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=559536)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-computer004.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

Poured myself a spike coffee and waited for a replyhttp://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-eatdrink013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

:ecstasy:In a matter of minutes I had an answer from the Guru of KLR's :worthy:Eagle Mike.

I headed back over to the shop loosened the two little tiny screws on the fork boots.
Insert PICTURE HERE

Wooza step back jack :lol:

Those tubes moved quickly from 1/8" showing to over 2 .
Now adjusting them was a slow process of lowering the rear end down a little at a time and measuring each time until finally I got it EXACTLY 1 3/4" on both tubes.:wootrock:
http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/813227660_JYao8-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#813227660_JYao8)

Tightened everything back up and noticed the chain was now very tight a simply adjustment of one turn on each adjustment screw and ta ta the bike was back in working order.

I only got one tiny bleeder cut from the chain and a little grease. Yes I have gloves to wear and they are still sitting on the workbench:slaphead:

http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/812493709_e6vvp-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#812493709_e6vvp)

Now it's time to mount up I am able to touch the ground barely, my Russell Day seat is too wide and thick very comfy but causing me to loose my much needed inseam lenght.:mghissyfit:

After talking to the people at Sargent (http://www.sargentcycle.com/), Corbin (http://www.corbin.com/shop.shtml) and Russell day long (http://www.day-long.com/)No one really had a firm answer on what I would gain by either reworking my seat or buying new :(:



:slaphead: Then it came to me in a vision :zen: I PM waterlilly She and her husband own DUELSPORT PLUS (http://www.dualsportplus.com/):pompom: Unfortunately she didn't have the new Corbin Dual Platform Low Saddle in stock .

When the delivery comes in she will call me with the real measurements and if it sounds like it will work I was thinking of riding:kcd: to her shop (about 5 1/2 hour ride) and trying it one for fit.

The Corbin salesman told me on the phone they could remold the nose of the seat if I knew how much was needed to be removed.but without sitting on one how would I know this answer?

Thanks Waterlilly:hug2:I will be anxiously waiting to hear from you.

Since I am beyond anxious to ride the KLR yesterday I decide to go up and down the road to see how it handles JT would catch me on the return if I can't get a foot down to get off of it ( how sad it that :(:)

:ohsnap:

:offtopic:

:soapbox: :protest:I think we ought to petition ALL the bike manufacturers with all of our signatures and let them know how as women riders we feel about this seat height crap. :redface1:



Ok I feel better now.:D:

I think I will be very happy with the KLR once I get the whole getting foot on the ground business addressed
JT was so intent on watching me he forgot to snap any pictures sorry he doesn't know our rules .

[ridingAK]

I'm glad the lowering is working for you. It made a huge difference for me on the Beemer when I got it. I also have the answer to your seat problem! Ride over here, and I'll ride with you over to Rich's. He'll do a great job of keeping your seat comfy, also giving you better reach...and you'll get to COME SEE ME! :D:

[Luna Tique]

I'm glad the lowering is working for you. It made a huge difference for me on the Beemer when I got it. I also have the answer to your seat problem! Ride over here, and I'll ride with you over to Rich's. He'll do a great job of keeping your seat comfy, also giving you better reach...and you'll get to COME SEE ME! :D:

Wouldn't that be wonderful :yahoo:
:shrug: unfortunately I feel that might be too far to ride not being able to get a foot down comfortably.

[KansasKawboy]

Don't feel bad about the fork boots, you aren't the first one to have that problem. Eagle Mike and I helped a guy on ADV one evening.

Oh and I had that problem to. :o:


When you get your seat figured out and if you want to sell the Russell let me know.

[kari-star]

Since I am beyond anxious to ride the KLR yesterday I decide to go up and down the road to see how it handles JT would catch me on the return if I can't get a foot down to get off of it ( how sad it that :(:)


NOT pathetic! that's called "having a good pit crew." :D:

SO glad you got it lowered and out on the road for a minute! whoo!

(and I would add also I have a 33ish " inseam and when *I* sat on the KLR I was shocked at how high up I was. I could get a foot down but it was a huge difference from what I've been riding [sv650] and I've been told that the SV has a high seat already!)

[msyzf2u]

WOOOOHOOOOO!




:clapping: This is awesome LT! :wootrock: And sounds like a ROAD TRIP is on the books :yahoo:





I love working on my bikes, such a great way to get to know them.

[maximoto]

LT I lowered mine by adding luggage!:D: It's worth a try.

Waiting on your road trip photo's:popcorn1:

[Luna Tique]

LT I lowered mine by adding luggage!:D: It's worth a try.

Waiting on your road trip photo's:popcorn1:
Did you say luggage? Already got it.:D:

http://lunatique.smugmug.com/photos/808965249_vFuyz-O.jpg (http://lunatique.smugmug.com/Other/2010/10978806_Rz4Be#808965249_vFuyz)

[maximoto]

Looking sharp, now to add that twf sticker!:thumbup:

[ridingAK]

:iagree: :D:

[KCDakar]

Looking sharp, now to add that twf sticker!:thumbup:


+1 :devilsmile:

[Luna Tique]

Don't feel bad about the fork boots, you aren't the first one to have that problem. Eagle Mike and I helped a guy on ADV one evening.

Oh and I had that problem to. :o:


When you get your seat figured out and if you want to sell the Russell let me know.

I knew you had the answer but my timing was off for your schedule and you were not on line.:shrug:

I will definately let you know if I decide not to keep the Russell :thumbup:

[Abosit]

Now you need some nice weather, think it is on you way already!!
HAVE A GREAT TIME and dont forget....as you say...we want :LT:

[Luna Tique]

I won't forget Abosit :D:

[Avalanche lily]

What Abosit said :D: Your KLR look great!:thumbup:

[LiLiBug]

:ohsnap:

:offtopic:

:soapbox: :protest:I think we ought to petition ALL the bike manufacturers with all of our signatures and let them know how as women riders we feel about this seat height crap. :redface1:

Ok I feel better now.:D:

.

I would be the first one to sign that petition and would volunteer to personally deliver it to KTM who suffer from the same ignorance!

:redface1:

[Luna Tique]

:thumbup: