raised rear suspension height what an improvement

[rollinghelmet]

Coming for a fzr 250 the fj 1200 was so slow to turn in and change line mid corner that to me it was almost dangerous
After reading some posts on shortening the suspension links or dogbones I thought I would give it a go
My brother works in a high pressure water metal cutting factory and I know so basic cad design on so free programs
To get the right length I removed the lower suspension link bolt with bike up on the stand the back wheel then drops to the ground
I put a thin piece of wood under rear tire them measured the length of what my new links would have to be
I designed and got my brother to cut 5 pairs with 5 mm difference in length so I had some adjustment
I ended up with my rear tire touching the ground when the centre stand is down, I will put wood under center stand to do chain
I am 6 foot and my heals are about 5 cm in the air toes touching the ground easy to manover still
The first time I road it I did not like the feel of it at all, it felt like it had a mind of its own, but I think it was just because it was so different
I went to muscle it around a roundabout and I nearly threw it to to ground
After about 3 rides I started to realize that only very small body and movements now had a big effect on the bike
It is not as sable in a straight line but now but I do not have to muscle around corners only be more deliberate with body movements
I would definitely recommend this modification to the move experience rider who pushes it on the corners
Because there is more weight on the front wheel good operating forks and front brakes are a must if you do this mod

[ribbert]

Haha, you are preaching to the converted here. It is indeed a good mod and a great improvement and very common amongst forum members although the general consensus for good handling is about an inch under the wheel on the centre stand and does not compromise straight line stability.

My own experience with this is, with the right front tyre I can steer my bike with my eyeballs, change lines, brake, power on, bounce over bumps etc mid corner, no matter how hard I'm cornering and the bike remains stable and effortless to manage.
It's like the bike sees the corner coming up and knows what to do.

All day twisties without breaking a sweat, it makes the bike a lot "lighter"

Like many here I also have a standard bike (with a 16") rear and by comparison it is no where near as confidence inspiring in the corners and is much more work to ride.

I have also found front tyre choice can further enhance the improvement significantly.

I believe some members here thought " if a little is good, more must be better" and raised the rear too far before settling on a better compromise.

As you have the option, try it with an inch clearance and see what you think.

Noel

[movenon]

"I believe some members here thought " if a little is good, more must be better" and raised the rear too far before settling on a better compromise."

Guilty as charged....  Was to unstable and front wheel wobble under hard braking.  Now at a modest 25-28mm lift. Works great. IMO no bike is perfect in all realms. The FJ is heavy.  For me I find that yes it might not corner like some,  but coming out of the corner and rolling on the throttle seems to make up for it.
George

[X-Ray]

Would you believe I have been out in the shed for a few hours today cutting 6mm Galv plate to make shorter dog bones? ( I decided to give it a go Noel, lol).  Took a while with a 4" grinder with a metal cutoff wheel, but not tooooo bad a job. Just have to go out tomorrow and get a 12mm drill bit, mine is 12.7mm, and Glenn has said I can use his drill press to get things spot on.

I took the suggested specs of going to 11.5cm from a standard 12.5cm hole to hole measurement and with a 1/2" piece of ply under the back wheel, its virtually 11.5cm hole to hole I have to drill, so lucky there. I'm hoping this will be fine on the road, so next week once its bolted back together I'll know, 

[turbocamino]

fwiw...experimenting with ride height is easier with an adjustable shock...it also will return a stable feel you may have lost...then front end deficiency's will be enhanced...then it's on to a nice pair of fork valves/springs...then some better rubber then wheels then.... :flag_of_truce:try to be happy/satisfied....good luck

[movenon]

My bike has evolved with all the mods you mentioned except my rear shock it is not height adjustable but I have the dog bones dialed in after making about 6 different sets over a few years.

George

[fj1289]

My bike has evolved with all the mods you mentioned except my rear shock it is not height adjustable but I have the dog bones dialed in after making about 6 different sets over a few years.

George

fwiw...experimenting with ride height is easier with an adjustable shock...it also will return a stable feel you may have lost...then front end deficiency's will be enhanced...then it's on to a nice pair of fork valves/springs...then some better rubber then wheels then.... :flag_of_truce:try to be happy/satisfied....good luck

Or a set of soupy's dogbones and easily adjust to your hearts content

[Derek Young]

I agree. With a late model FJ this is an easy mod and well worth the effort. Touching down hard parts mid corner doesn't inspire much confidence. It also can be painful to your ribs(if your wife happens to be in the passenger seat). Raising the rear end all but eliminates this. It can create new challenges when backing up the bike in gravel parking lots for the short of leg(me).
Be sure to round the corners and smooth the edges Ray. Also lightly countersink the holes to remove the burrs.
I hate to break it to you George...somebody photo bombed a beautiful shot of your FJ. They put a MONKEY in the background!

Derek

[X-Ray]

Mmmm, I haven't totally rounded the corners yet Derek. Have left the ends as a  \_/ shape. Once I drill the holes I'll see if I have enough steel to round them off on my new bench grinder 

[movenon]

I agree. With a late model FJ this is an easy mod and well worth the effort. Touching down hard parts mid corner doesn't inspire much confidence. It also can be painful to your ribs(if your wife happens to be in the passenger seat). Raising the rear end all but eliminates this. It can create new challenges when backing up the bike in gravel parking lots for the short of leg(me).
Be sure to round the corners and smooth the edges Ray. Also lightly countersink the holes to remove the burrs.
I hate to break it to you George...somebody photo bombed a beautiful shot of your FJ. They put a MONKEY in the background!

Derek

 He was our tour guide that day ! Great guys and good times.. The other member is Alan. 

[Derek Young]

Mmmm, I haven't totally rounded the corners yet Derek. Have left the ends as a  \_/ shape. Once I drill the holes I'll see if I have enough steel to round them off on my new bench grinder 

Any excuse to use a new toy!

[Derek Young]

 He was our tour guide that day ! Great guys and good times.. The other member is Alan. 

Heeeey....was that the day you guys went to the winery??? I must say Donna was not impressed she missed it! You were in VERY GOOD company that day George. Would like to have joined you!

Derek

[movenon]

Yes that day we stopped by a winery on the coast. It was a fun ride.  Enjoyed the logging road coming back to the KOA. 






Sorry about hijacking your thread     Back to the regular programing.

TNX George

[X-Ray]

I've finished my dog bones, they are not the prettiest and I'm still not sure if they are the correct length yet. I've put the details in our Manshed thread here  http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=12370.msg123546#msg123546

Hoo Roo

[chocker]

Hi,
I made some dog bones with 11.5 cm hole to hole and it gave me about an 1/ 1/2 inches of rise in the back. That's 1 cm shorter than stock dog bones. I then did the GSXR rear wheel mode and the bike got lowered about a quarter to half an inch with the low profile tire. What a difference the combination makes. Next on tap is the front forks with parts from RPM when I have the funds. Moditis is catchy.

Mark