Lowering a FZ6

[CowtownBiomed]

Hi Guys/Gals.

I have a 08 that I need to lower for the wife..
The bike already has a Corbin seat, so it is as low as the seat will go...I'm no going to modify it at all..

I understand the geometry concerns ect..so no worries there.
I also understand that the rear shock (stock) does not have they typical link type set up that is found on most sportbikes..

What I am wondering is if anyone has tired this set up?
If so do you have any words of wisdom in regard to set up and installation?

FZ6 Lowering Kit, FZ6 Lowering Link, FZ6 Lowering Links, FZ6 Adjustable Ride Height

 

[FinalImpact]

Looks like it could work. . . See photo - looks shorter than stock part.
Compare to this;
View attachment 40873

Be careful about dropping the forks that amount. I'd slide them in the clamp to the height you want and pull the springs while the bike is held up in the nose. Block under header. Now fully compress the front suspension and make certain it doesn't collide with anything and look at the lines and cables making certain nothing is in harms way or kinked.

Check the sag and set it as best possible. . .

Also, while the rear spring is off, do the same with it and compress the rear ALL the the and make certain it doesn't crash into anything (mount the shock in there without a spring). Check your chain at that angle too. Its going to be loose!

 

[Phil_RC_1]

I just installed one of those on my wifes 07 FZ6. I didn't do a before and after measurement but it feels like 1" to 1.5". I lowered the front about 15mm. Now it's just barely low enough, another 1" would have been better for her but you can only do so much with this style rear shock mount.

With this setup, it handles fine, and the stock side stand still works fine. I think I could lower the front forks more but as FinalImpact mentioned, I'm worried about taking away to much travel.

I'll try to get a pic of the bike with the mount installed.

 

[CowtownBiomed]

Thanks for the reply's guys..
From the bottom picture, it sure doesnt seem like a lot of change..
What is the difference in size between the two?

What holds the eyelet on the bottom of the shock?
It doesnt look like it is threaded....

 

[WARDO97531]

I did something similar to that. I bought a used shock on Ebay.
Then cut, drilled, and tapped the end to make it about .375" of an inch shorter than stock.
It gave me about and 1.25" drop, in the rear.
The rod in the shock is threaded, the spring must be compressed to take it off.
I have the tap I used at the house, I'll post the thread pitch later.

 

[FinalImpact]

Thanks for the reply's guys..
From the bottom picture, it sure doesnt seem like a lot of change..
What is the difference in size between the two?

What holds the eyelet on the bottom of the shock?
It doesnt look like it is threaded....

You have to remember its not 1:1
Example: the wheel may move 5.1" but the shock mounted inbound and close to the pivot only moves 2" or so (just an example).

If the shock were mounted directly at the axle, it'd be closer to 1:1 so like said above, a little makes a big change.

 

[WARDO97531]

You may or may not need to know but, the thread of the shock "rod" is 12x1.25.

 

[CowtownBiomed]

Neat...thanks again...
Doesnt look too hard to make..
Sounds like a 10mm shorter eyelet would put me in the 1.25" (32mm) to 1.5" (38mm) drop range.

Should be interesting to see how it turns out..
Best part would be that it could still be put back..

Cheers!:thumbup:

 

[Phil_RC_1]

The thing that limits how short you can go is the spring retainer (Big washer looking piece that keeps the spring) will rub the swingarm if the eyelet is cut too short. The Soupy's eyelet comes darn close, might get a piece of paper between it and the swingarm.

 

[Phil_RC_1]

A pic of the clearance between the shockspring and swingarm. Just be carefull not to cut too much. In hindsight, I wish I had measured it before I installed it.

 

[CowtownBiomed]

Wow that is close..does it actualy touch under compression?

 

[Phil_RC_1]

At full extension is as close as it will get. The gap spreds under compression.

 

[CowtownBiomed]

LMAO..of course...silly me..

Thanks again..

 

[CowtownBiomed]

out of curiosity (again) can anyone tell me the eyelet to eyelet lenght of the shock as it is stock?

I've have been hearing that the R6 (unknown year) shock can be installed with the same effect as this lowering stub..

 

[jafgreen]

out of curiosity (again) can anyone tell me the eyelet to eyelet lenght of the shock as it is stock?

I've have been hearing that the R6 (unknown year) shock can be installed with the same effect as this lowering stub..

13.250" I believe it what I measured

 

[-Jen-]

Was thinking of doing this to my bike, you said the kickstand was fine? Was under the impression I'd need a shorter one.

 

[Phil_RC_1]

Was thinking of doing this to my bike, you said the kickstand was fine? Was under the impression I'd need a shorter one.

Your mileage may vary but I didn't need the shorter stand. If I were to lower the front more then 10mm or 15mm, I would need it, but as is, on flat ground it's stable and has plenty of lean. My wife just has to be more cautious about parking on sloped surfaces.

 

[Wh0M3]

I've also been thinking about lowering my FZ6 so my wife can ride it too. She has sat on it but could only touch toes down. She would like to be flat-footed to ride it.

Sent from my N860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[-Jen-]

So I'm in the process of doing this at the moment. I've got the shock off the bike, how do you get the eyelet off? The replacement is threaded but rotating the eyelet rotates the shaft in the shock.

 

[-Jen-]

Nevermind.