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Raising forks - What does it do?

  • Thread starter Thread starter UncleMike
  • Start date Start date
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UncleMike

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There's some conflicting info on this site. Some people say that raising the forks in the triple tree will make for better handling. Some say that it will ruin handling, but make for better straight-line performance.

I'd like to lower the front end of both of my bikes, as they're the raked "L" models, but not at the cost of handling.

So what's the skinny?
 
Re: Raising forks - What does it do?

UncleMike said:
There's some conflicting info on this site. Some people say that raising the forks in the triple tree will make for better handling. Some say that it will ruin handling, but make for better straight-line performance.

I'd like to lower the front end of both of my bikes, as they're the raked "L" models, but not at the cost of handling.

So what's the skinny?
Click to expand...

Lowering the forks will make the angle of the forks steeper making it easier to turn into a corner but it will make it more nervous, especially at lower speeds but it depends on the bike and how much you lower it, theoretically it reduces stability. Also lowers the center of gravity of the bike somewhat which is good but you lose ground clearance, try a ? inch at a time and see how it feels, your bars could get in the way though, time for clip-ons! :D
 
Workin' on the clip-ons as we speak. Are the fork tubes 35mm?
 
So on the same note,...would it be possible to get a smaller front wheel on the 450, and shouldn't that improve "corner-carving" ability?
 
UncleMike said:
So on the same note,...would it be possible to get a smaller front wheel on the 450, and shouldn't that improve "corner-carving" ability?
Click to expand...

What do you have on it now, a 19"? It could be replaced by a 18" of a standard model I think, but I cannot guarantee speedo accuracy, front fender or mounts would need to be modified, or change to spoked wheels a lace on a nice set of 17" aluminium rims. 8)

Btw I myself would not call the 450 a heavy steering bike. :?
 
Actually a set of spoked wheels will look better if you are doing a cafe mod. real cafe bikes have spokes. :wink:
 
robinjo said:
or change to spoked wheels a lace on a nice set of 17" aluminium rims.

Btw I myself would not call the 450 a heavy steering bike.
Click to expand...

Already planning on the spokes,...

I was thinking of lowering for the look of it, but I won't do it if it'd hurt handling.
 
I dropped the forks a little over an inch on my 650GL, and I am more then happy with it. Never bottomed the bike out, and it made it a LOT more responcive to steering inputs, without being twitchy. Went to a superbike bend bar at the same time, and I would never go back! In my mind its the best thing you could do to an "L" if you want to hit any twistys.
 
On my 850 Got a very good deal on a 110 instead of the stock 100 size. Did not like the handeing I lowered the forks in the tripples about 1/2 in. to compensate Fixed it right up!!!
 
But you can't raise the forks in the triples with regular handlebars, right?
 
Going to a smaller diameter front wheel will also speed up the turn response.
My 1100 has a 19" front wheel and my 1150 has a 16" front wheel. The 1100 turns like a truck in comparison to the 1150. :-)

Earl
 
earlfor said:
Going to a smaller diameter front wheel will also speed up the turn response.
My 1100 has a 19" front wheel and my 1150 has a 16" front wheel. The 1100 turns like a truck in comparison to the 1150. :-)

Earl
Click to expand...

That's what I'm lookin' for.
 
usually, the top of the fork tubes will hit the underside of the handlebars.

Earl

UncleMike said:
But you can't raise the forks in the triples with regular handlebars, right?
Click to expand...
 
UncleMike said:
But you can't raise the forks in the triples with regular handlebars, right?
Click to expand...

My 650L has about 1 3/4" between the top of the tripple, and the bottom of the bar. I raised the tubes 1". Never a bottoming out problem[I do have progressive springs though] and I love the quicker stearing. The stock L's with the long forks, and 19" wheel are pretty slow steers.
 
Raising the forks in the triples changes both rake (steeper) and trail (shorter). As a general rule, less trail corresponds to quicker steering and less stability... really, the same thing, since steering is an act of de-stabilization :)

As for getting a smaller rim, don't forget that you may be compromising your vertical and side ground clearance in addition to playing test pilot. A smaller wheel (and correspondingly steeper rake and shorter trail) may be nudging the bike into dangerously unstable territory if you're not careful.
 
i put on a 19" front mag wheel in place of my old 18" spoked wheel (it was a drum brake, need I say more?)

anyways, to compensate, i raised my forks an inch. I still gotta make my fender fit though :lol:
 
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