| Author | Message | ||
     Tleighbell |
2006 Uly. Had stock suspension modified to drop the bike about 1 1/2 inches. Can now get the balls of my feet on the ground, but the bike is still top heavy, very difficult to manage in tight low speed manoevres. I have a 1200 Ss rear shock, thinking of dropping it down to Ss level. What other XB forks will work (have not seen too many Ss forks around)? | ||
| Ourdee |
Did the rear only get lowered? That would make it difficult to manage in tight low speed manoevres. | ||
| Court |
If you only lowered the rear you may also expect the bike to become violently uncontrollable in certain situations. Most likely scenario would be with a tank bag or any atop the air box. The designed positive dynamic stability (the propensity of a system to return to "straight and level" when disturbed) can be compromised and you can have a system where the slightest upset of the suspension (a bump in the road) can be quickly exacerbated and get violent. Be certain . . . if you are going to mess around with suspension height to seek counsel from someone who understands the dynamics of 2 wheel inline vehicles. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Thanks Guys. Sorry, i was not clear. Still have stock shock on, but both shock and forks had springs shortened to lower the bike. It was done by a local guy who worked for Ohlins, and was crew chief on CSBK teams. It handles fine once rolling. But it is still tall and top heavy and just difficult to handle at slow speeds (dropped it doing a tight U-Turn: once it starts to go over i can not hold it up) I am thinking of installing the Ss shock but only with matching forks. Hence my question as to which forks will work. | ||
| Rcf2 |
had you consider to lower the seat? | ||
| Froggy |
That depends on what year your SS shock is. 06-08 SS shock is shorter than the 09-10 SS shock. If it is a 06-08, then use the standard height Lightning or Firebolt forks. If it is a 09-10 shock, then you will need either a set of 07-08 STT forks, or 09-10 SS forks. | ||
| Screamer |
I put the lower 2009 XT suspension on my 2006 Uly - works great. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Thanks guys. I have a Seat into Sargent for lowering right now. That will help with getting feet on the ground but the bike will still be top heavy. The shock I have is 2009 Ss. My ground clearance is already down to about 5 1/4" which is less than the 2009 Ss so I don't think that will help. The 2006 Ss is 4.7". Not sure why they raised it. | ||
| Rcf2 |
I short friend who ride Ulysses also use thick sole boots which give him more confidence. | ||
| Teeps |
Experience riding a 2006 Ulysses taught me that it did not like doing anything slow(ly.) Slow speed maneuvers were not pretty, and I always pulled the clutch and freewheeled during slow speed maneuvers, especially U-turns. I thought of lowering my bike; but doing so it would not be a Ulysses. Kind of like debarking a bloodhound. | ||
| Tootal |
 Teeps is correct, going slow is not a Ulysses's forte! XB9 gearing helps a lot but when making slow U turns it's best to hold 2000 rpm, slip the clutch and use the rear brake for speed control. This way you can just keep your feet on the pegs! | ||
| Tleighbell |
Thanks guys. OK so need some 1970's platform shoes. Got the XB9 gearing, can do low speed manuoevres not too bad but if it starts to topple no way i can catch it. Just goes with the territory i guess. | ||
| Teeps |
Tleighbell Posted on Monday, June 11, 2018 but if it starts to topple no way i can catch it. Copy that. That's the key; keeping the bike as near vertical as possible. Like I said my low speed maneuvers on the Uly were not pretty. And, I'm sure I heard snickers from the mass of on lookers at the hangout, on more than one occasion. | ||
| Ourdee |
Engine rpm actuates the gyro. Rear brake application settles the package. Slipping the clutch to control power input. Practice the figure eight box till you can spend more than 60 seconds in it. I would try to balance at red lights without putting a foot down. Practice, practice, practice! | ||
| Vortec57 |
The guy I bought my bike from had put lightning long front forks on it. They're almost 3 inches shorter. Wasn't a big deal to start with, but the night I bought the bike I left a stop light and made a left had turn that drug the peg on the road. If Im able to drag in town off a stop that's not acceptable. Luckilly I got the ULY forks with it and the next day I put them back on it. Just now Ive only put about 300 miles on the bike and the "new" fork seals are leaking already | ||
| Tleighbell |
Thanks again everyone. More practice it is. My dad always said "a good workman never blames his tools". |
