Playing with the suspension height

So I am experimenting with suspension settings on my bike. I will be shimming the rear shock up about 10mm to raise the rear and I have raised the forks/lowered the triple clamps 10mm for now.

OMG!!! I was able to partake in exuberant riding this afternoon and I am in love with the raised forks/lowered triples. A certain turn that I enjoy suddenly became a revelation with the new setup and I was able to determine that the bike is stable at speed, something I was uncertain if it was going to be, having had about 5 years scared out of me on a borrowed GSXR that got a full lock tank slapper at 145 many many years ago.

I look forward to Latigo, as it is a very tight left right canyon road that should be substantially more fun now, as the bike always felt like it was pushing the front through the turns; now it feels like it actually turns!. I do remember that the very first time I rode the bike around my apartment complex, I had the sensation of sitting in the bike, versus on it. I was surprised at such a small change altering how the bike felt in the cockpit. I look forward to shimming the shock this weekend. The utter ease of negotiating curves now is something to behold! The speed through the turn is up, the apexes and exits are hit so effortlessly, it's amazing! I am really starting to dream about upgrading the suspension after finding the correct setup with shims and drop. The trackday bug is calling. Man, why didn't I do this earlier? I really want to ride the track now!

P.S. I do know that riding fast on streets is stupid. Count on me remembering this. Too many have passed from riding on the street how they should be riding on the track. There are an excess of factors that can take you out. Dane Westby, rest his soul was a professional rider. That is always on my mind.

 

Glad you got some positive results handling wise.

If I might ask, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Those two things are pretty critical when setting up a bike. Someone who is 5'4" and 150 pounds will get much less agility out of a lower rear shock set than someone who is significantly taller and heavier. I've been too afraid to screw up my stock setup because I'm really heavy and until I get weight matched springs and valves in my suspension, I'm afraid that anything I do is ore likely than not to screw it all up.

 

Many years ago I dropped the forks 8mm and shimmed the shock to raise the rear ride height 20mm.
The attached photo shows the bike on the left with stock ride height compared to my modified version on the right.
The result-----Stability, no problem-----Lighter steering, absolutely-----Ground clearence, priceless!

 

I'm 6'2" and about 265 and losing. My goal is 220 pounds.

 

Raising the rear will make as much difference as dropping the front.
Miles better again, if you use correct springs and get it revalved.
Stability will not be affected.
I'm only 5'7 and 160lb's. I did this to my 5th gen with JD 929 rear and Racetech front with custom revalve and 5 weight oil, it's a different bike.
I can only tip toe on the bike due to being vertically challenged, but I would not change it back.
I can't understand people the lower the rear to reach the ground, they must spend most of the time in parking lots.

 

I rode up into the canyons today and I definitely like the change. Easier to tip into the turn, finer control. I dare say I may possibly have gotten lower? I have to wait for the pics tho. I definitely want to raise the rear, so with that said, what size washers should I be looking at, I.D. and O.D.? Thanks!

 

Nice pic. A little confused as to why it's here, unless you are recommending riding to speed weight loss; in which case, I need to get on my mountain bike. Running is too hard on my knees.

 

I have to admit to liking the suspension changes. Links to pics.

http://shop.rockstorephotos.com/p254841810/h4221fd31#h4221fbf1
http://shop.rockstorephotos.com/p254841810/h4221fd31#h4221fd31
http://shop.rockstorephotos.com/p254841810/h4221fd31#h4221fe05
http://shop.rockstorephotos.com/p254841810/h4221fd31#h4221fe27
http://shop.rockstorephotos.com/p254841810/h4221fd31#h4221fef9

 

The 25mm link plates from Thurn Motorsport with fork tubes raised 12mm was what I used to get the geometry set to the GMD Computrack sweet numbers after I had the chassis measured and the geometry evaluated. I also recommend 1.00 springs with 5wt oil in the forks with gold valves and the 46HRCLS Ohlins. If you think the 1.00 springs will be too stiff, they aren't and I weigh 165 pounds. Very sharp handling with good turn in and a very good ability to hold a line under heavy throttle.

This is what it looked like after I did the mods:

 

Nice bike! Are those framesliders the same as on SOW's ride?

 

They are R&G's if that's what he has....no idea who he is. I don't own the bike anymore, sold it to member JTC here......just trying to help out the OP with an idea of seat and tube height when adjusted to the GMD numbers. I'd build another one if they ever came out with a base platform that didn't weigh as much as a VW Beetle.

 

Missing oot on Son of Wolf is like missing out on the smell of napalm in the morning. The man is a fount of technical wizardry, motorcycle lore and how to score with various female types popular in many PC circles.

 

That's some serious coin, the best price I found on the shock is $1200!!! I bet it was fun to ride tho!

 

It was pretty good for a VFR. I rode a few others and was amazed at just how bad they seemed to be in stock trim. Quite frankly, I don't know how those folks even rode them and enjoyed it. Once you get spoiled, guess it's hard to remember how much you loved it when you first got it. Working on something else now, hoping to have it done very soon (been working on it for a couple years now) a little different at 65hp and 223 pounds.....

 

A couple of days ago, I was able to shim the rear shock up 4mm. I. LOVE. IT! I left the forks in their raised position and up in the Malibu hills it's loads better. SO much more agile!!! I don't feel like I am on a tank anymore! Now I am really looking forward to getting it properly sprung etc. If you are thinking about it. Just do it. I felt zero instability at all. Even in hard braking!

 

I originally dropped the triple tree @ 5 mm last summer & the bike became A JOY in the twisties. I've since done the full JD suspension & raised the rear @ 15 mm. Will leave the front stock height for now. I'll have it on the road by next week~