How much is too much?

I'm contemplating lower the front end of my bike some more. The new springs really raised the front end when it was all back together at the stock level.(right at the grove in the fork tubes) I raised them 10mm and it is definitely better. There is no handling issue but just looking at it, I want to raise them some more, get a little more rake. I know that if I go too far high speed stability will suffer and it might be too twitchy. So the my question is how much is too much? Any body played with there ride hight on a early model.

 

you installed new springs, right?? did you alter the spacers??

with new springs you need to make sure you have proper static sag ( about 1" with you sitting on bike) before raising forks.....

(BTW...lowering the front end will give you LESS rake)

 

I meant rear to front rake,(like an old muscle car) but yes I cut new spacers according to the instructions and sag is within range. :thumbsup:

While I've got your attention squirelman, Do shorter spacers increase my sag or decrease it?

 

INCREASE...

what brand springs dija install??

 

We went with Sonic straight rate springs and Race Tech gold valves.

 

I would not go more than 10mm... Going any more could have the forks bottoming out (KA-LUNK !!!) on bumps or potholes........

 

I can't see how raising the stanchions in the triple clamps could have any affect on bottoming.
That's strictly a matter of spring rate, with a little influence from compression damping and fluid volume.
Sag is unrelated to ride height.
Spacers affect spring rate, but not ride height, per se.

On my '01 R1 I found 10mm showing above the top triple clamp to be perfect, but that's a sharper bike with already steeper geometry.

With my '94 VFR I currently have the tubes raised about 22mm to allow for the GenMar risers; actually have the tubes about 4mm lower than flush since raising to flush (about 26mm) was simply too much.
It's still just a bit too much at 22mm, but close enough.
No problems with front tire clearance to radiator or front cylinder head when fully compressed.

Without the GenMars I settled on 12mm being about ideal for my tastes - steering is light, quick, solid and secure, with no tendency to drop in, oversteer or scrub. Just right :thumbsup:
I think you could safely get away with up to about 14mm with no ill effects on handling; any more than that and things start to feel a little funky.

I tend to really ride the front end (ala Haga), and really like my front geometry aggressive and need my front suspension more dialed-in than the rear.
I'm an ex-BMX'er and mountainbiker, so I suspect my tastes stem from that background.