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How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
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Crossfire_imp Offline
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How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#1

Just got this 2014 CB1100. I am 5'4" ,I can ride it, but wished the seat height was an 1" lower. I've had three 750K's at different times in the seventies and eighties and had no problems riding them; I think I shrank, LOL.
Can anyone direct me to a thread which may help; I am new to the forum.
Thanks
Crossfire


11-20-2021, 08:02 AM
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Houtman_imp Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#2

When you get older everything shrinks......


11-20-2021, 08:27 AM
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Nachodaddy Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#3

Ah Houtman, if only that were true. Everything is stiff except what I want to be stiff and everything shrinks except what I want to shrink. My waist line is about ten inches bigger than it was 20 years ago and doesn't seem to have any intention of shrinking. Fingers, ankles and back all seem to get stiffer and stiffer.
Now, it occurs to me that smaller wheels could lower the bike considerably, and help with some things like finding tires more easily. I am not an engineer and might be way off base on this. A good upholsterer might also help in cutting down the seat, but that doesn't seem like it would get us very much closer to the ground.
Good luck with getting the road closer to your feet.


11-20-2021, 08:59 AM
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Whoops Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#4

(11-20-2021, 08:59 AM)Nachodaddy_imp Wrote: Ah Houtman, if only that were true. Everything is stiff except what I want to be stiff and everything shrinks except what I want to shrink. My waist line is about ten inches bigger than it was 20 years ago and doesn't seem to have any intention of shrinking. Fingers, ankles and back all seem to get stiffer and stiffer.
Now, it occurs to me that smaller wheels could lower the bike considerably, and help with some things like finding tires more easily. I am not an engineer and might be way off base on this. A good upholsterer might also help in cutting down the seat, but that doesn't seem like it would get us very much closer to the ground.
Good luck with getting the road closer to your feet.

If only they were 17” wheels. I think that’s one thing everyone with a CB1100 could agree on.


11-20-2021, 09:25 AM
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Redbird_imp Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#5

Take a look at http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread....mph+shocks


11-20-2021, 10:06 AM
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Sparky80_imp Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#6

yep, easiest way would be to find some shocks that are shorter than the 14.25 in shocks on the CB. The front is super simple by sliding the forks up in the triples a bit.
Read that ears and nose never stop growing....


11-20-2021, 11:29 AM
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Crossfire_imp Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#7

(11-20-2021, 08:59 AM)Nachodaddy_imp Wrote: Ah Houtman, if only that were true. Everything is stiff except what I want to be stiff and everything shrinks except what I want to shrink. My waist line is about ten inches bigger than it was 20 years ago and doesn't seem to have any intention of shrinking. Fingers, ankles and back all seem to get stiffer and stiffer.
Now, it occurs to me that smaller wheels could lower the bike considerably, and help with some things like finding tires more easily. I am not an engineer and might be way off base on this. A good upholsterer might also help in cutting down the seat, but that doesn't seem like it would get us very much closer to the ground.
Good luck with getting the road closer to your feet.

Thanks Houtman!


11-20-2021, 11:35 AM
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Lord Popgun Online
El Supremo RLET Force

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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#8

Or order the OEM low seat from Japan. Samurider is a good source for it.


11-20-2021, 12:13 PM
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Tev62 Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#9

As a stop gap try reducing the front and rear preload to the minimum settings, that will give you a little more sag and hopefully it will still handle well enough for you.


11-20-2021, 06:26 PM
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Mixagon_imp Offline
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RE: How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"
#10

I know someone with a KTM who wanted it lowering about an inch and went through the various options but settled on buying thick soled boots which also helped him on other bikes. I think there is a website for these taller boots for vertically challenged riders.


11-22-2021, 11:14 PM
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