lowering a 78 gs550

[airbear360]

I am looking at lowering my 78 gs550 a good 2 inches...i looked on here to see if it was mentioned but I didn't find anything...as of right now my only options are to cut some coil over springs if that would work or to make it into a hard tail...i really don't wanna make it a hard tail but needs to be lowered...ive alreay taken off the huge gaudy taillight assembly and I'm getting it sprayed black again...the only real thing left I want to do is drop it a good couple inches...its basically just a cruiser and doesn't need to be super comfy it's only rode in town and no real trips...anybody have any any ideas

 

[Runningdog]

What's the standard shock length for the 550? Are there not shocks made that are 2" shorter than those.....so long as the shock eyes are the same as stock (ie HD shocks have a deeper eye..watch out for those), they can go on the bike...then lower the fronts the same length on the triple tree.
Now, watch for clearance on corners.....

 

[airbear360]

I was told not to change to shocks for a different bike for some reason...if that's an option I can try to find shorter shocks...if cutting them is a viable option I would rather do that...i was told to watch out for some lever ratio I think they called it...meaning the arc the rear end would travel would change so cutting the shock 1 inch might lower the bike 2 inchs due to the arc being changed...im a newbie and I'm just trying to make this bike a little more me...i picked it up for 700 in good shape and I'm not trying to spend too much on it cuz I'm broke...only thing I've had to do is replace the clutch cable and clean the surface rust out of the tank

 

[ChicagoBob]

Change to shorter shocks

Change to shorter shocks

Stock shocks are a little longer than 13", so you could look for shorter ones to lower the bike. Cutting the springs gives a very harsh ride. Try Mike's XS for its "Monza Sport" shocks, available as short as 11.5" and cost less than $80. You could also raise the fork tubes in the triple clamps, but you might have handlebar clearance problems, and there's not much suspension travel there if your front springs have sagged.

 

[airbear360]

I know the ride would get abit more rough but I'm looking at throwing an old school springer seat on it...its going to become a mini "chopper" minus the ape hangers...which is not funny since I am not a mini guy...6'2 300...but I was looking to go cafe racer but I'm too fat for that so this is what I got...i can post build pics later if you all want

 

[Nessism]

Cutting the springs is a bad idea, in fact lowering the bike at all is a bad idea since it will upset the bikes handling. I suggest you get yourself a 16" rear wheel and install the fattest tire you can. If you insist on trying to lower the rear end further, get some shorter shocks. Just make sure the shocks aren't so short that the tire crashes into the fender when the suspension is bottomed out.

 

[tkent02]

Trade it for a 550 L. It sits a lot lower, it's the "Ladies" model.

I'm sure someone here would love to trade.

 

[airbear360]

I think I just make it into a hard tail...i know it'll be rough but all this worrying is just too much

 

[Nessism]

I think I just make it into a hard tail...i know it'll be rough but all this worrying is just too much

From bad to worse. Hardtails are dangerous since they handle like $hit.

 

[tkent02]

From bad to worse. Hardtails are dangerous since they handle like $hit.

I thought they were dangerous because they were ridden by idiots?

 

[airbear360]

the only thing I've succeeded at is comin up with bad ideas I guess...well shorter shocks here I come

 

[tkent02]

Just curious, why do you want it lower?

 

[airbear360]

I think it looks better a couple inches shorter...its my first bike and I look goofy on it now...the seat is like level...also the seat is getting swapped to a springer...its getting painted also...it doesn't need to be the most amazing bike ever...i just want it to look a little more agressive

 

[mike_of_bbg]

Trade it for a 550 L. It sits a lot lower, it's the "Ladies" model.

Ladies model as in, "Ladies Love a man on an L"

I'll admit at times I think my bike looks a bit dorky: particularly with those buckhorn bars, that Travelcade seat, and sitting in a parking lot with 20-years-newer (min) bikes. My suspension upgrades have really picked it up off the ground. It's like a bike that really doesn't know what it wants to be. Classic? Sportbike? Cruiser? Wannabe dual-sport?

But I thought about it and came to this conclusion: I don't have to look at the bike when I'm riding it! That Travelcade seat may look dorky, but it's the first (and often only) thing people get jealous of when they sit on the bike. The buckhorn bars give me a comfortable upright riding position, and lift the mirrors to let me see things other than my shoulders Still thinking of trying some Daytonas, but more to try them out than to concern myself with the looks on the curb. The bike is what it is.

 

[airbear360]

I like the bike I really do but that's really the only things I want to change...the seat a new paint job and drop it a bit...its reliable as hell and can't complain about the gas milage...its a good starter bike