how do I lower my front end via the triple trees? and how far can I lower it?

 

Loosen the pinch bolts on the upper and lower triples and move them. As for how far you can pull them up, well if you have the stock set up in the forks, I wouldn't do it. If you have the spring rate and valving dialed in you can go 10mm before you start having ground clearance & stability issues. But of course YMMV.

 

I'm at about 1/2 inch with stiffer springs. So far so good. I tried 3/4 for a while. Ripped my header wrap off.

 

I have run with a tad over 1" for years with stiffer springs. Handles great.

 

Any lowering of the front while keeping the OEM springs will reduce ground clearance when cornering, so there's no "right" answer. It depends how hard you corner and value ground clearance.

When people pull the wimpy OEM springs and replace with springs suited to their weight, they usually pull the fork tubes up about 10 mm, but that just restores the original front ride height.

What are you seeking to accomplish by lowering the front? If you want quicker steering and a more nose down attitude without sacrificing cornering clearance, it's better to raise the rear end by placing a spacer above the rear shock.

 

You guys know that raising the forks also decreases the trail which will make the bike unstable if you go too far. If you go more than 10mm be prepared to buy a steering damper or you just might end up with the mother of all tank slappers..... but as always YMMV.

 

im trying to lower it for an overall more aggressive look is all. i dont ride aggressively as in hard cornering or super quick take offs or other things....just want it to look more aggressive is all.

 

Worst reason ever......................................

 

+100

 

I don't know, you guys. People do all kinds of **** to their bikes, some of it a lot more expensive than pulling up fork tubes, for no reason other than thinking it looks cool.

 

I am not talking expensive in initial cost. I am talking expensive as in surgury for broken bones or skin grafts after you completely ruin the stability of a 100hp sportbike & pitch it into a pole. Not to mention funeral costs for the family. Put some stickers on it for a more aggressive look. Dont do chassis mods for the......worst reason ever.......................

 

Yeah there's a point past which altering the fore/aft attitude of the bike will land you on your head, but there's leeway beyond the stock set up. Lots of guys have pulled up the fork tubes 10 mm (with stiffer springs) and at the same time put 4 or 5 mm worth of spacers on top of the rear shock, which has a greater effect than it sounds 'cause the shock is closer to the center of the bike than the forks are.

Point being- whether you do it to quicken the steering (like I did) or do it for looks is irrelevant as long as the bike rides stable.

 

i apologize for not stating that i would be lowering the rear as well. (which I will be doing to compensate to move the center of gravity throughout the proper "X" axis and not to just lower the front end only and cause dip/pitch on the frond end and affect the steering geometry).

"common" physics shows that if you lower the rear & front at the same overall ratios...then it will not cause the front end steering to be a problem. because you've lowered an even center of gravity throughout the length of the bike "X" axis...and not create a front pitch/dip.
thats common physics for everyday normal riders...not looking to be hauling @$$ on the roads. (which would be nice) but not on roads & streets...maybe trackside someday. just not now.

 

Bump! I need to raise the front since the previous owner had it lowered due to being short. Please help a newb with instructions on how to raise it back to stock