Suspension Question

[ATEYSIXED]

Okay, so I did a search on suspension/lowering and I've probably read everything you guys have written on droppin the ass end of a SS750. I am however curious about what options are availible to me for dropping the rear of my VLX? I'm sure there are a ton of lowering kits out there, but my intention is to do the majority of the mods I can without having to resort to kits and aftermarket parts. After all, guys got this stuff done well before these kits showed up and not everyone was a master welder right? So, I'm wondering, with the single shock being located under my seat, would it be possible to drop the rear of the bike by simply clipping a coil or two off of the shock?? I understand it would be a bit rougher ride, but I dont think it would be as bad as a strut setup. Any inputs? Would this work, and if so what are some of the downsides I could expirience other than a couple filling rattling loose in my skull?? Are there any other "backyard builder" options?? Keep in mind my ultimate goal here is to bob the rear fender or make my own from a trailer. I dont want the rear fender ass up like a dirtbike.

[dirtwarrior]

You can drill another hole in the tab to get about an inch. Reverce the dogbone for 2 more inches

[ATEYSIXED]

You can drill another hole in the tab to get about an inch. Reverce the dogbone for 2 more inches

Thanks for the reply boss, but Im not quite sure I understand. Im guessing by reversing the dog bone you mean flipping the rear end upside down? I dont know what you mean by drilling the tab at all. Sorry first bike, this is all new to me could you please explain? I'll do a search on those two things and see if theres a how to in the forum. Are those two options fairly easy??

[GKG-MO]

If you take the mono shock apart you can remove the lock nut and use a die to add about 3/4 of an inch of threads to the center rod . Then cut about a half an inch off the rod and put the shock back together. This shortens the shock about a half an inch of so. Just remember for every 1/4 inch you shorten the shock it will lower the rear of the bike about an inch. If you do it right you can lower it 2 inches or more pretty easy and the shock will bottom out before the rear tire hits the fender. Or you can take the shock out altogether and make a hardtail strut from a piece of 1 inch square tubing. You can slam it a good 6 inches that way but the ride will suffer. Hope that helps.

[ATEYSIXED]

If you take the mono shock apart you can remove the lock nut and use a die to add about 3/4 of an inch of threads to the center rod . Then cut about a half an inch off the rod and put the shock back together. This shortens the shock about a half an inch of so. Just remember for every 1/4 inch you shorten the shock it will lower the rear of the bike about an inch. If you do it right you can lower it 2 inches or more pretty easy and the shock will bottom out before the rear tire hits the fender. Or you can take the shock out altogether and make a hardtail strut from a piece of 1 inch square tubing. You can slam it a good 6 inches that way but the ride will suffer. Hope that helps.

See this is the kind of thing I was looking for. I can buy the lowering kit for $80 on E-gay but where is the fun in that right? I thought about the hardtail strut, and I think that would look best since it would give me the most drop, but I go on a lot of long rides and I don't think that would be too comfortable for anything other than a barbike. I am REALLY interested in that shock shortening method you are talking about though. It actually sounds pretty simple but do you know if there is a step by step with pics out there anywhere?? I would like to have something to reference while I'm doing this (although your instructions were pretty detailed.) Thanks GKG-MO, I'll get pics up here once I get this project done. The idea is to do a side mount with my L.P., hook SS Riders RTB LEDS under the fender (very low profile lights) and then gut that ugly frame and lunchbox out from under that fender, but when I see how much space it would leave between the fender and the tire it's just discouraging.

[GKG-MO]

Sorry don't have any pictures. I did this mod a long time go and didn't take any but its really simple. Just take the shock apart and you'll figure it out. All your doing is makeing the shock shorter. Just remember to take it down a little at a time. You can always make it shorter but to make it longer you would hafta buy a shock strecher LOL.

[ATEYSIXED]

Sorry don't have any pictures. I did this mod a long time go and didn't take any but its really simple. Just take the shock apart and you'll figure it out. All your doing is makeing the shock shorter. Just remember to take it down a little at a time. You can always make it shorter but to make it longer you would hafta buy a shock strecher LOL.

LOL! Thanks man, I'll give it a shot. I appreciate the advice, and if I get really stuck I may PM you a question or two.