Are my forks lowered?

I'll measure it tomorrow, thanks. If you or anyone else gets a chance and can take any other measurements it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again.

 

Not to add to your worry, but I would ditch the adjustable link and get one from Lust Racing that is the length of what your adjustable unit works best at. I.e. Use the adjustable one as a measuring device of sorts. If you look at the triangles there are markings on the stock units that will have a alpha-numeric number and an arrow that points to the front. Similar to this '-----> FR'. This should be at the top of the triangle edge that is parallel to the floor.

 

I liked the height it was at, but the front end felt very nervous. If you barely gave the bars input it took off in whatever direction you were turning. Felt stable, just very quick to react.

 

Being as low as it was, you would have run out of cornering clearance fast too. It makes sense to raise it to the max height that you are comfortable with. IMHO of course

 

As soon as I can figure out where the rear is supposed to be ill know if I can deal with it or if I need to lower it some. Once again, all measurements appreciated. Going to measure from the tire to the inner fender when I get home.

 

That could also be attributed to tire profile. If your tire is more "V" shaped than "U" shaped, you will have a similar feel.

 

Tires are shot, new ones are ordered. Maybe I should just put it back where it was until they get fitted.

 

Personally I would put it back the way it was for now and see how she works with new tires with this setup. Nothing says you have to use the stock setup on both ends. Changing the front and/or rear height is a rider preference setting to some degree. Honda of course built the bike with the Rake/Trail settings for a reason, but it doesn't meant that you're doing something "wrong" by changing that. The fore mention potential issues would still apply though, so it's up to you on what you end up doing. You can always play with the fork height and see if there is a happy medium. That's just my experience/opinion though.

You might want to do some searching on the forum for "lowering a VFR" I think you'll find some good info about this subject. I cannot find the link about the adjustable link issue one rider had, but I'm sure it'll be in one of the lowering threads. Basically the link failed while riding, although she came out unscathed, it was a bit scary for her as you might imagine. If height is an issue and this causes you some worry, you can always modify the seat by shaving it down some, that's what the rider ended up doing after going back to a stock setup.

 

If the bike had been adjusted the same amount, i.e., tubes raised as much as rear was lowered, the net sum woud have been the same as if nothing was touched.........the nervouse feeling could be other forces at work, like a shortened wheelbase.

 

I had a very nervous 3rd gen as well. First I replaced the tires and that made it little better. Next, as I have the same problem with short legs, I lowered the rear to get the seat lower and then by trying different height at front, I found the good setup. Actually I raised the tubes in front about the half amount of the lowering in rear.

Some guys prefer faster turn and lower the front, but since I do most of my riding just touring, I prefer the stability in high speed, so I have the front bit higher than rear...

 

The lowering link and adjustable side stand are from SOUPY"S. I have the same set up. I flipped the triangle installed the link and side stand. Without adjusting the link the bike was lowered about 3/4 of an inch. Just flipping the triangle lowered the bike enough for me, so the lowering link was not needed (money not well spent).

I did not lower my front forks and the bike handles fine for me. I have a 2004 VFR.

This set up is used by quite a few people who ride Hyabusa's.

 

Can you tell by the orientation of my triangle if it is on correct? Or if you see the same number of threads on the link?

 

Your triangle has been flipped. It states in the instructions to flip the triangle when installing the lowering link.
I think that some people do not flip the triangle and that is why they have problems.

The lowering link has definitely been adjusted.

 

So i'm back to square 1 with no clue as to how much the rear is lowered. Could you measure yours from center to center?

 

When I get home tonight, I will take a couple of measurements. I still have my stock link, I will take a measurement of the mounting holes center to center. That way you will have a known measurement on the link and you can adjust accordingly.

My leg inseam is 28", so I'm short (vertically challenged) to be politically correct.

 

Thank you, it will be greatly appreciated.

 

Its probably a bit late to chip in on this, but one thing worries me about your current suspension setup. Namely the adjustable suspension link which looks rather like the version that snapped and could easily have killed one of the VFRWorld forum members. Fortunately when the suspension collapsed she managed to keep the bike upright, leaving it stranded in the overtaking lane and then caused a massive jam on a major highway.

I suggest you check out this ancient thread -

http://vfrworld.com/forums/introductions/38497-new-forum.html

as it includes pictures showing how the triangle plate should be installed for a normal setup and also on post #25 you will find a link to the full scary story of how a VFR managed to shut down a highway. Its an epic ride report so you may want to scroll way down to the end until you see pictures of the damaged bike/tires and the offending adjusting link which looks very similar to the one currently on your VFR.

Take care

SkiMad

 

The measurement from the mounting holes center to center on the stock link is 4-1/2 inches.

With bike on the center stand the measurement from the bottom of the muffler to the center of the axle is 14-1/2 inches. The exhaust on my bike is stock. Remember this is with the triangle flipped. Hope this helps.

Also the side stand is easy to adjust. Be sure to use BLUE LOC-TITE on the bolt threads.

 

I don't have a center stand so can't do much there. From center to center of the link is nearly 5 inches. From the top of the tire to the exhaust crossover is 5 in he's with bike on side stand. Not a fan of that scary story in the link, but if I raise this bike 1.5 inches in the rear I may as well sell it.