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03-02-2010, 8:36 PM kingsmag Joined on 09-30-2009 Posts 12 please help with rear shock and front fork lowering i've been reading alot of posts on here and i need some answers. my bike is a 1982 cx500 custom this is what i am about to do: 1. install 11 inch rear shocks (ordering this week) 2. install either drag bars or superbike bars i have them both on order from bike bandit this is what i need to know: 1. will i definitely need to lower the front forks. if so how much and will the air valve stem hit the bars. maybe i'm not understanding the whole lowering concept. 2. will i have to cut the side stand down? from what i read it is somewhere close to 1 1/2 inches. 3. about the center stand. will i have to take it off? seems like there could be issues there. thanks to all who reply. Slightly burned out but still smokin' 1982 CX500 Custom    Report

03-02-2010, 10:28 PM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering You don't need to lower the front fork but if you want you can. Normally you lower the front forks if you are a short rider and cant flatfoot the bike. 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

03-03-2010, 3:33 AM kingsmag Joined on 09-30-2009 Posts 12 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering thanks. what about the sidestand and center stand? does it need to be shortened? and the center taken off? if i don't lower the front will i need to replace fork seals more often because of the angle? Slightly burned out but still smokin' 1982 CX500 Custom    Report

03-03-2010, 8:35 AM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering You only have to shorten them if they are causing a problem. I suggest you do the lowering and see what happens before you start cutting or removing. The triangle that you mention isn't as extreme as you are thinking. If your fork seals are shot and leaking then replace them. 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

03-03-2010, 4:16 PM kingston73 Joined on 04-19-2008 Bellingham, MA Posts 1,722 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering Like Stitch said, you probably want to lower before you do anything else. If you don't lower the forks, it could possibly make it feel different handling wise, depending on how much it changes the geometry. 1979 cx500D - mostly stock    Report

03-06-2010, 7:56 PM kingsmag Joined on 09-30-2009 Posts 12 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering i just had the fork seals done last year, and that is why i am worried about screwing them up and having to do them all over again so quickly. parts should be her next week, and i will have more questions then i am sure. it is exactly 2 inches that i am lowering. from reading a recent post it sounds like i will have to remove the center stand at the very least. my buddy has a bike jack so that doesnt bother me too much. im 220lbs and i am praying that i don't rub when i hit a bump. Slightly burned out but still smokin' 1982 CX500 Custom    Report

03-06-2010, 8:03 PM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering You will only know when you do it. I think you will rub if you go over any type of speed bump so you have to look out for those. With 220 you should be putting a pretty decent squat on them already if you just jack down the preload on the rear shocks. 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

03-08-2010, 10:27 AM kingsmag Joined on 09-30-2009 Posts 12 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering the thought of rubbing while going over a bump has crossed my mind. the new shocks are rated for 440lbs, and i am hoping with the new handlebars i will be leaning ahead more and taking some of the weight off the back end. still awaiting parts. Slightly burned out but still smokin' 1982 CX500 Custom    Report

03-09-2010, 1:57 PM dccoleman Joined on 04-01-2007 Rochester, MN USA Posts 418 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering If you're removing the original shocks and replacing them with shorter, modern shocks, you probably won't notice any bottoming out. Shocks have come a long way since then. *********************** 1979 CX500 Deluxe 1983 GL650I    Report

03-09-2010, 3:13 PM kingsmag Joined on 09-30-2009 Posts 12 Re: please help with rear shock and front fork lowering thanks for the vote of confidence. parts will be here by wednesday of next week. i will post pics when it is done. thats it for this year tho. next winter will be solo seat or dyna seat and getting rid of original paint and maybe pods. still snow on the ground here but there are a few bikes out. when i see the street sweeper i know its time. thanks to all who replied and keep the tips coming. a good one i read is to keep center stand and the pin when i remove it so i can use it when needed. Slightly burned out but still smokin' 1982 CX500 Custom    Report

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