| Author | Message | ||
     Mechanic96 |
I am in the process of purchasing a used 2004 XB12R. I was informed by a dealer that it is possible to lower these bikes a few inches. I only stand 5'4" so I need all the help I can get in lowering this bike. Does anyone out there know if there is a kit available or would I be better to buy each part individually. If so what do I all need to complete this drop. This is going to be my project for the winter so I have a nice ride for next spring! Please help with any advice you can offer! | ||
| Mtg |
Depending on how much drop you need, you could just remove some foam from the seat and recover it. There isn't a ton of foam there, but you could probably effectively lower it 1/2" or so without giving up any suspension travel by modifying the seat. | ||
| Oddalloy |
I'll probably take some heat for this. I have a short inseam and had the same problem with my '03 XB9S. I picked-up a rear shock for a Lightning Low (ScG) on Ebay. The shock used on the Low is easily identifiable by the Yellow spring and it has an eye-to-eye dimension that's about 1 inch shorter than the standard shock which, depending on model year, have either a Blue or Black spring. Even with changing to the Low shock, I still needed a little more height reduction and so found and installed a seat from a "low" model. Now I can flat-foot the bike when stopped. I don't think they make a low seat for the 9R or 12R so you might have to try modding it by shaving some of the padding. I did not change over to the shorter forks used on a "low". Yes, changing to the shorter rear shock without also changing to the shorter forks messes with the steering geometry and should slow down the steering response. For all practical purposes, on the street the steering doesn't really feel any different. If you're going to do any track work with your 12R, it might make a difference. It's not much work to change the shock so if you know someone with a "low" around the same year as yours, you might talk them into swapping shocks for a while, just to try-it-out. I'd keep my eye on the Classified Parts section here, as well as Ebay. I think I paid $60 for my low shock. You might give that a try. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
Start dating fat chicks  | ||
| Thumper74 |
Find someone with a 12ScG or a 9SL who wants a standard height suspension. Meetup and swap'em out |
