Lowering links
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From: Blue Ridge N.C.
On my 2006 LOWERING required LONGER links. They "lower" by pushing up the swing arm.
These links were supposed to lower the seat height by 2 inches. I don't think it lowered the seat quite that much but it sure made the bike ride much lower and very squishy. It was almost like riding with a flat rear tire.
These links were supposed to lower the seat height by 2 inches. I don't think it lowered the seat quite that much but it sure made the bike ride much lower and very squishy. It was almost like riding with a flat rear tire.
Last edited by horizonod; Dec 18, 2008 at 06:33 PM.
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if this is geared to me, then you evidently don't know the '09 suspension story. they just lowered the bike with shorter links in the rear and added spacers up front to do the same. if you look at the kawi pics at totalmotorcycle.com, you can see the large shot of the red bike and it has the pre '09 rear link on it because the number is posted into the link and it's visible. here:
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photo...i-KLX250Sd.jpg
117 is pre '09 rear link size. the production size is like 108 or something shorter. I doubt they put a different spring on the shock for a change that small.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photo...i-KLX250Sd.jpg
117 is pre '09 rear link size. the production size is like 108 or something shorter. I doubt they put a different spring on the shock for a change that small.
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On my 2006 LOWERING required LONGER links. They "lower" by pushing up the swing arm.
These links were supposed to lower the seat height by 2 inches. I don't think it lowered the seat quite that much but it sure made the bike ride much lower and very squishy. It was almost like riding with a flat rear tire.
These links were supposed to lower the seat height by 2 inches. I don't think it lowered the seat quite that much but it sure made the bike ride much lower and very squishy. It was almost like riding with a flat rear tire.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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okay, this is fishy. a couple weeks ago some guy came on here and claimed he raised his '09 or said that one could raise an '09 by just installing the '06/'07 links on to an '09, which he said were longer than the oem '09 links. can't remember who said that, but he sounded like he knew what he was talking about. now you say that longer links lower the ride height/travel. who's right? NB, help me out here.
So visualize what happens to the swingarm as the link is lengthened. Longer link lowers the right height, shorter link raises it.
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Also, looking at the koubalink web site, w/regard to their 2" lowering links, they say:
So take that into account. If you truly need to lower it properly, you might want to look into having a suspension guy do it like neilaction did. This way, you still retain good handling.
*KLX4 links not recommended for very heavy or aggressive riders, (Can experience rubbing, bottoming, and/or geometry problems.)
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From:
So I'm not repeating stuff this was my post regarding the lowering links I bought
https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=10267
IG there is a pic in that thread that shows the lowering links being longer than the stock link
https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=10267
IG there is a pic in that thread that shows the lowering links being longer than the stock link
Last edited by TeamKLX250; Dec 19, 2008 at 05:01 AM.
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I apologize guys, my bad. somehow I got into my head that longer meant higher. so obviously my '09 says the same as the other guys' '09. I can't tell at the moment as that side is squished up against the wall and it's in the single digits and icing outside thus I don't feel like moving vehicles to get the bike out. But thanks for clearing it up. Now, anyone want to sell pre '09 factory links? I so want to raise mine up now that it's possible. That '09 in the kawi pic must have been taken before they decided to lower the suspension travel. Because the front looks high as well.
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so NB, in your professional opinion, do you agree or disagree that by installing the SHORTER '06/'07 link that an '09 would gain travel and height? The spacers I know will raise height after removal, because when you lower a harley front-end, you add one or two short springs at the bottom of the fork, depending how much of a drop you want, to lower it. And it really lowers it when two are installed on each side. I just have to get to those spacers. On a Harley, there's a large hex bolt on the bottom of the fork that you remove and the bottom part just comes right out. Don't know if it's the same on usd forks. What's your thoughts?