Need ideas on how to lower bike

[1sttimeXSowner]

I'm a short guy and my 82 XJ is about an inch or two too high to be comfortable on stops. How can I lower it a bit? Anybody done this already and can share the "how to" would be appreciated!

[jjwaller]

Do some research and find some shorter shocks. Step one.
Drop the forks a bit. Step two.
Do some more research and find a shorter kick stand. Step three.
Did this with my CB400F. For the (short) wife, of course.

[Incubus]

I don't know if the XJ has a 17 or 16-inch rear wheel. But going from a tire with a lower aspect ratio will lower the bike. For instance, Going from a 130/90-17 to a 130/70-17 tire will lower the bike an inch.

Patrick

[crazy steve]

An alternative to lowering the suspension (which can be expensive and may have some negative effects on handling) may be to alter the seat. Some thinner, firmer foam in place of the OEM stuff can sometimes gain you an inch or more, or sometimes just recontouring it a bit so your legs don't hit the seat can do it. If you (or anybody you know) does sewing/upholstery, maybe pulling the stock foam/cover and making a new one out might do the trick, and for pretty cheap.

Harley did this trick on the 'Hugger' Sportster and lowered the seat height by about an inch.

'78E original owner

[mxmikie]

http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/micros...cs_photo12.jpg

[jjwaller]

Never thought of that one Mikey

[1sttimeXSowner]

http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/micros...cs_photo12.jpg

Nice big guy, but not my color,: hoss...

[fredintoon]

I'm a short guy and my 82 XJ is about an inch or two too high to be comfortable on stops. How can I lower it a bit? Anybody done this already and can share the "how to" would be appreciated!

Hi 1sttime and welcome,
I'd say a little bit of "all of the above" (well the purple platform shoes are a bit much but a 1/2" thick midsole added to your riding boots would help) would do the trick.
Inch shorter shocks and sliding the fork tubes up through the 'trees a tad plus /70 vs /90 tires will lower the bike.
too much on the forks will quicken the steering and will need 'bar setbacks. Lowering the frame also worsens the ability to lean the bike before things start rubbing on the road and you have to shorten the stands to suit. Re-sculpting the seat brings your arse closer to the road but thinner padding means a harder ride.
So yes, the XJ can be lowered to suit a shorter rider but there will be a reduction in it's handling.
As with members of certain evangelical religious sects, I can offer you a life-changing alternative:- Fit a sidecar.

[CatatonicBug]

As with members of certain evangelical religious sects, I can offer you a life-changing alternative:- Fit a sidecar.

You mean there's a "Church of Sidecars"?

[jjwaller]

As soon as I saw Fred had a post, I knew sidecars would turn up somewhere

[fredintoon]

You mean there's a "Church of Sidecars"?

Hi 'Bug,
not as such, no. Sidecars are of this world rather than of the next so a Church would not be appropriate.
But sidecars do have devoted proponents and in common with the evangelical sects we do believe in spreading the word to others.
BTW, sidecars are not my only obsession.
I have been known to vent my opinions on those who would hardtail bikes that were formerly blessed with rear suspension
and on those who would fit tiny gas tanks on bikes notorious for their raging thirst.
And indeed on those who would make any other bike modification that sacrifices utility to style.

[DGXSER]

Hi 'Bug,
not as such, no. Sidecars are of this world rather than of the next so a Church would not be appropriate.
But sidecars do have devoted proponents and in common with the evangelical sects we do believe in spreading the word to others.
BTW, sidecars are not my only obsession.
I have been known to vent my opinions on those who would hardtail bikes that were formerly blessed with rear suspension
and on those who would fit tiny gas tanks on bikes notorious for their raging thirst.
And indeed on those who would make any other bike modification that sacrifices utility to style.

Lest we forget, fenders....those glorious water blocking devices!!!

Lord I apologize for that there and for being with them pigmies....(in my best Larry the Cable Guy voice).

[fredintoon]

- - - the purple platform shoes are a bit much but a 1/2" thick midsole added to your riding boots would help. - - -

Hi 1sttime,
if you wondered, I may have exaggerated on the sidecar thing but I wasn't kidding about the boots.
http://www.daytonboots.com/shop/footwear/
You will stand taller in a pair of Dayton's Black Beauty Double Sole boots.
And prouder, seeing as how folks have bought working titled XS11s for less money.

[Mr.Bill]

I don't know if the XJ has a 17 or 16-inch rear wheel. But going from a tire with a lower aspect ratio will lower the bike. For instance, Going from a 130/90-17 to a 130/70-17 tire will lower the bike an inch.

Patrick

I like this idea of using a different aspect ratio to lower some.

With the rear wheel being 16" on my special, and looking around for a 130/70-16 tire. Almost every place refers to this as a front tire ?

Is there a difference ? Or basically as this is an older bike 130 was the standard of the day for the rear.

[Incubus]

Front tires and back tires are different. One is designed to take torque traveling in one rotational direction and the other is designed to take torque in the opposite direction. I have heard, but cannot personally verify, that you can use a front on the rear if you mount it backwards (rotating against the directional arrow). I personally would look for a tire specified as a rear tire in the correct aspect ratio. I didn't have much trouble finding a 130/80-16, so I suspect 130/70-16 rears are out there.

Patrick