| Author | Message | ||
     B1rdman |
Been searching around but honestly haven't found too much on this. My 2000 X1 Lightning is all stock to my knowledge. As it sits, it is way too tall for me to foots it around in parking lots. I know you can lower the front forks some..which should mirror how much I lower the back. However with no dogbones, how do you lower the rear? I also know shaving the seat can help..but there isn't that much pad to be honest, to begin with. Do they make a "lowered version" of the X1? Links to any and all recommended parts will be great! I'm 5'4" @ 130lbs btw lol | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
The M2 Low model sits about 1" lower than the standard model. It uses a shorter fork, a longer rear shock, and a shorter side stand. However, the M2 fork is not the "upside down" type like your X1 has so it might not be as "racy". I am 6'7" tall and have a low mileage M2 Low and I can say it does handle well. I might be willing to trade forks, shock, and sidestand if you were interested and your parts are in similar excellent condition. | ||
| Jumbo_petite |
Depending on how much you want it lowered and common practice is to slide the front forks up through the triple trees. I would imagine the further the lowering the greater the change in steering geometry. the girl I bought my S1W from had Penske shock with a custom spring the lower the rear installed. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Within reason, the rear can be lowered by building a steel hat to extend the length of the shock. You will have to do something about the lean-stand, like cut and weld to shorten it.  | ||
| B1rdman |
The way the bars sit it looks like the most I could slide the forks up is half an inch. :-/ @Harleyelf: See the threads on your shock? What does that adjust? @Dave: I might be interested in the shock and stand but not keen on trading forks.. How does your shock compare to mine in terms of performance? | ||
| Harleyelf |
The threads adjust the spring pre-load; I weigh 140 lbs and have it set to minimum pre-load. The shock shown is the later model 14-inch one and my front mount is for the earlier 16-inch. You will get an inch of lowering for every half inch of shock extension due to the ratio of the lengths on the legs of the rear shock mount. This extension makes my bike sit about an inch lower than stock. It never bottoms out. | ||
| B1rdman |
I weigh about 130 lbs. Here's a pic of my threads..  Should I expose more threads to make it better for my weight? And what about the two "S<---->H" setting adjusters? Where should I have them set at? | ||
| Harleyelf |
Did you get an owner's manual? Soft - Hard screw settings are to reduce unwanted bounce. You have separate damping and rebound screws on the front shocks, too. If your rider sag is a half inch to an inch, your spring is set fine. You just don't want to be on the upper stops when riding or the ride will be uncomfortably bumpy. | ||
| 01x1buell |
S is soft and h is hard whichever way you go it will be harder or softer. | ||
| B1rdman |
Yes I know it means soft or hard lol. Just didn't think I had to spell that out. I don't think the bike sags even a quarter of an inch when I sit on it.. Right now when I hit bumps it about bucks me in the air and off the bike! Haha Now what about the threads? Show more thread for a lighter rider, or less? Judging by what you said earlier, I should show as much thread.. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Yah, back them out to the stop and then thread it in a half turn to be sure the threads are fully engaged. You should see all the threads. If you screwed it in all the way it would get hard to turn. Your s-h screw is all the way hard, you want to back that up to just on the hard side of the center. The dot is the factory setting. Any sag is enough, as long as your weight drops the swing arm off its hard rubber stops. I stand up on the footpegs a bit when I see a bump coming. Learned that riding old-school hardtails. (Message edited by harleyelf on April 08, 2013) | ||
| B1rdman |
Which way is "backing out to the stop" lol And my SH screw is like halfway out I believe. | ||
| B1rdman |
How much do y'all think I could sell my nice condition 14.7" shock? Or is there anyone you'd think be willing to trade? | ||
| Harleyelf |
They sell on e-bay for $50-150 used, $200-$350 new. You just need the proper front mount or to build a custom hat like mine for it. Why do you want to sell it? Did you buy a works shock? If you want to go hard-tail to lower your ride height to the bare minimum, PM me. I have a drag racer's bar that replaces the shock at its longest with the original front mount; the lean stand was useless when I had it installed while looking for a new shock to replace my leaky one, but both my feet (I'm 5' 7") could reach the ground flat-footed. Handling was manageable (remember I have chopper experience), but comfort was definitely reduced. Twenty bucks plus shipping and it's yours. | ||
| B1rdman |
Oh I was thinking about getting an M2 low shock...but if all I need is a bracket then that's way better. | ||
| Mcelhaney14 |
How about a 16.5 inch shock with a 14.8 inch mount? Would that even work? Just a thought. | ||
| B1rdman |
I was wondering that earlier actually...but I'd hate to get a leaking and inferior shock..lol Maybe someone else will chime in if this will work? Or does anyone have any links to where I can get some pre-made brackets that were mentioned? | ||
| Snowbees |
 my front shock mount. | ||
| B1rdman |
Yeah I saw it in another thread..looks good. I don't have the resources to make my own though so would be looking to buy one already done. | ||
| Alfau |
Check this out http://web.archive.org/web/20081208141626/http://w ww.cjnetworks.com/~westtek/ShocBroc.htm | ||
| Lakes |
I have a M2 withM2 L shock & premium gel seat am 5 foot 8 & can sit on bike to move it also only scrape pegs on tight corners .handles ok. Good @ drag strip too. Race tech can shorten your forks if u need to | ||
| B1rdman |
So does anyone have any links to extended shock mounts so that I can lower my bike? I'm not able to make any myself. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
St Paul HD have a brand new M2L shock for sale, $300. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buell-Rear-Shock-2000-2002 -M2L-New-K0410-01A4A-/281086535240?pt=Motorcycles_ Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ABuell%7CModel%3ACycl one&hash=item4172102648&vxp=mtr Good people to deal with too, I just bought a set of Showa fork legs from them. | ||
| B1rdman |
I really don't want to spend a ton of cash on a different shock. I'm happy with my shock. Just want a bracket to lower the rear.. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
It's a brand new original shock, & at $300 isn't a "ton of cash" in fact it's pretty cheap. It's a straight swap for your current std shock that you can remount should you sell the bike. Your choice obviously, but personally I'd rather have my arse depending on a factory shock than a fabbed bracket. Don't know about the US but over here if you had an accident & the insurance assessor see's a mod to the suspension like that they'll be asking some difficult questions with a view to not paying out. Just saying, look at all the implications before you act is all. | ||
| B1rdman |
Well I appreciate the info/link. However FOR ME, $300 is a lot to spend right now...that I just plain don't have. I'll trust a bracket just fine. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I wasn't having a pop at you mate, & I appreciate the economic constraints believe me. If Dave 02 is willing to swap just his shock & sidestand with you that might be enough along with the 1/2" gain pulling the forks up through the yokes. If you really want to go with the lowering bracket, try sticking an ad in the "Parts Wanted" section. The other thing to consider seriously is the seat. Many bikes aren't actually that high, it's just that the form of the seat splays the rider's legs out too far to get decent stability. Another alternative solution (don't laugh) is built up soles on your boots. My oldest friend, who lives down in Austin did this when he was having a job moving his 675 Triumph about, & it solved his problem. He added about 1/2" to each boot. There's more than one way to skin a cat. | ||
| B1rdman |
True! haha Isn't my updated 14.6" shock slightly better than his M2L one? I know I won't be pushing this bike to its limits or anything but the enthusiast part of me doesn't want to give up any performance. I may go post in the Wanted section as well...though I doubt many people look through there. And yeah I agree that the seat could use some modification. It definitely splays my legs out farther than normal. And don't judge me too hard but I don't plan on wearing boots in the summer...I do in the other three seasons though. I'll be wearing flat soled racing shoes.. |
