Charity ride out

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ARCHIVE_cheri

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Need to lower

:?: Hi ya'll....Need to "lower" the 600 a bit for a shorter rider :roll: . Should new shocks be bought, or can an adjustment be done like cutting down the ones on there now. Was tiold cutting down makes for a very uncomfortable ride. Really appreciate the help! :wink:
 
Cheri,
the problem with simply cutting the springs on the shocks is that they must still support the same mass however with less remaining travel in which to soak up the bumps. On top of this the damping is not changed so the original 'designed' travel required to dampen a specific shock will bottom out before reaching anything like reasonable effectiveness. Changing the oil in the shocks to a heavier grade is often the only compromise here.

To reduce ride height via the shocks will require a shorter shock with stronger (progressive) springs and stronger dampening capabilities. Progressive rate springs are necessary to give adequate comfort over the smaller bumps whilst still providing ample protection for the pot holes (and your spine).

Aside form lowering the ride height there is another upside; it lowers the Centre of Gravity so handling should be improved. Improvement in handling may necessitate the forks being lowered in the triple trees by the same amount as the rear end otherwise your rake/trail will change (sometimes for the better but you’ll need to experience it first). The down side to lowering either or both ends of the bike is reduced ground clearance. This may manifest itself when negotiating driveways, road obstacles and cornering speeds may require some adjustment (downwards) else you risk damage to the lower hardware on the bike.

I'd strongly recommend obtaining another seat/seat pan and modifying the foam/cover thus reducing seat height without adversely affecting the suspension. This considerably cheaper method would also provide a very simple seat swapping option should a taller rider wish to ride your velocipede or, heaven forbid, you desire to sell it (perhaps so you can upgrade to a ZL1000).

I hope this helps and I apologise if I appear to be trying to tell you how to suck eggs. Also, I’m not too familiar with the ZL600 so the ground clearance and seat foam thickness are issues you’ll have to consider for yourself.

Good luck…
 
seat

Cheri,
Don't want to sound inquisitive but what year 600 do you have? The reason I ask is because one of my bikes is the '87 ZL600 and it is one of the lowest sitting bikes I have ever owned. Some specs I have for the '86 model seat height is 28.3 inches, although that seems high to me. I can't think that the '86 and '87 would be different. Also my 14 year old daughter can easily sit upon the seat and touch the ground. In being only about 5'4'' she has no problems. At last I agree with Rocket in that only change the seat height so as to not affect handling and all. Wish you well. Furchin
 
Have you tried to soften the spring preload? It drops the bike quite a bit ( around 1 inch).
 
Furchin: The 600 is a '86. The rider is 5'1".... :roll: I'm going to try the seat first and have it re-done I believe. However, ROCKET I was also told about (progressive) shocks, but wanted to 1st ck w/the 'experts' here b/4 going on....You guys really know your stuff!! Can't thank you enuff! :D
 
Hey Cheri, Dont know if Progressive Makes Shocks for the 600[ Pretty Sure They Do??] Im 5' 8 but the Wide Seat on The 1000 I could just about get my " HOOVES" Flat on the Ground 8O . Progressive Makes about 4 Different Shocks that will Fit, I went For the 212's With a 2" Drop, Theese are The Cheapest Route, If You Plan on Loading the Rear End DONT DO IT, They also make a 420 and 440, Heavy Duty Shocks and Come in 1" Incriments, Stock on the 1 is 13.5", Not Sure what its on the 600 :?: Also Droped the Front End by using Progressive Forksprings, With Some Work on the Spacers and Forkoil Vescosity you can Probaly Drop it at Least an Inch, Bike Handels a LOT better, Later Rocky :twisted:
 
Rocky: Wrote this all down :wink: Hmmm, I think I should measure 1st. Yes, I was told Progessive makes them.
So sorry if it all sounds like I should be riding with training wheels :roll: Thanks Rocky!!
 
Went on a charity run over here today. What a great day for it too. Didnt take as many photos as i had planned ( too busy enjoyin ridin!!). It was thought between 800-900 bikes took part. A good turnout, 16c temps and clear skies helped!! Ran up about 350kms on my odo (3 fuel stops, what a pain) was nice to get some saddle time, brought my 8yr old son with me and he is a biker now for sure! Thought he'd be bored or wanna go home half way through but in fairness to him, he loved it! The ZL performed flawlessly. Got lotsa admirers of the ZL, plenty of guys reminising, mine the only eli at the run.
Was surprised the organisers didnt split the pack up into smaller groups, instead, we all headed off together, more or less 2 by 2. The procession of motorcycles musta been at least 2-3 miles long, headed by cops and followed up by ambulance (just in case). Drove around a mountain range in the east of the county, really nice drive too. There were of course a few idiots in the group doing stupid stuff..... there was one real dangerous guy in particular, drivin a ratty gixer 11.... he spent half the trip on the rear wheel just showin off, but beyond that, it was a well behaved group of riders, everyone giving each other space riding in the pack...

Saw a kawa Vulcan 2000 in the flesh for the first time, what an awsome scoot.... Offensively QUIET though, I was waiting for the guy to fire her up but when he did....geeeeees, it was quieter tham my zl.... dissapointing.

I took a few pics just after i arrived early at the rally point and the bikes were only just arriving...


WHAT KIND OF yamaha is this...? Nice bike...

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Blag
 
Good for you.

Its good to put a respectable face on motorcyclists instead of the bad press that we usually get.
I was supposed to be doing our local 'Egg run', but the starter motor on the cage fcuked up so I ended up doing that instead.

Well done that man

KK
 
That yamaha is one of the models in thier V-star collection. i think this one is called " Roadliner, ", but not 100% positive.
 
The VN2000 and the roadliner/stratoliner are both very nice bikes. It would be hard to choose between the 2
 
Looks like a fun day Blag. My bike club does a charity pet food run every year. We take donated pet food to 2 dogs & cats homes. It's always good to have some good press about bikers.

Picture is too big to go in the thread

This was the most bikes I could get in one frame without being so far out that you couldn't see them.

All of the pictures from the day

Near the bottom of the page is a custom chopper with a bright red frame that's got an in-line 4 and an even smaller tank than an Eli. I'd hate to think what the fuel range is on that.
 
Hi ACP,

Some nice bikes in your photos, esp like the guys with dalmation suits on, now thats an idea for next year!! Our run was in aid of the children's Leukaemia Fund for a hospital in our nearest city and it humbled me to see so many bikers turn out for such a worthy cause. There wers a few kids there that were sufferers and I'll tell you, I had my arm around my son a little tighter that day, so glad he was healthy and fit. Kinda softens the hardest man to see children sick...
It was fun to see my boy get his first real adrenelin buzz. As all the bikes gathered and departed from the rallying area, with the noise and the speed etc, he was jumpin and slitherin on the back, and as we got out of town and up in speed, i could faintly hear from the back of the bike.... "faster, faster, faster, faster, faster"... lol, and eyery so often a roar....."PASS 'EM DAD!"...lol.


a good father and son day...

Blag
 
Last year our bike club held a charity event in the pub we use. It was to help a yound kid called Brandon, who needs a new wheel chair that can be extended as he grows. The main events were a raffle and 3 guys (the bar manager, barman, and one guy from our club) got their chests waxed.

There are some pics here:

Benefit pics

The video at the bottom is of the manager getting a bit of waxing. The skull in the photos was signed and donated by the guys from Orange County Choppers, after they used it to make a mould for one of their bikes.

Oh, and I'm the one in the white t-shirt, bottom left.
 
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And you had a hand in ripping the hairs outta that poor guy??? What goes around...comes around ACP...., I'll bet that guy remembers you next time that event takes place...!!

LOL,

Blag
 
:rotf:

It was his way of raising more money, he charged everyone £5 to pull a strip off.

Of course, as the originator of the idea I got to pull the first strip, the one across his nipple, hehe.
 
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