How to lower seat for short-legged "freeks"

[Crossfire_imp]

Actually, Crossfire, if you are in the L.A. area, I would let you try a pair of 13.5" Bonnie shocks to see if they help.

But remember, lowering suspension or shorter shocks may make the centerstand useless, and the sidestand tipsy.

pekingduck,

Apologize for the late reply; I am still going through the learning curve on the forum.
I live in Northern California, so riding down to Southern California is a no starter for me, but If you know of the availability of shorter shocks and a part # or model I would appreciate it.
Crossfire

 

[Nachodaddy]

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

Crossfire, a few years back I lowered a Harley Sportstser 1200 mostly for looks. Not sure how much lower it was when I finished, but it looked great. I put a lowering kit (springs, spacers) in the front fork, and Burley shocks in back and it looked great. When I let the jack down all the way, the jack wouldn't go low enough to get the bike off it. Had to jack it back up and put a 2x4 under the back wheel to get the jack out from under it. The I discovered the stock side-stand was too long; the bike stood straight up when on the stand. Fortunately, I discovered Sportsters have a 12" stand and an 8" stand, so I learned how to put an 8" side-stand on a Sportster and everything went great after that. I was lucky. Always look carefully at everything that will be effected by the changes you make on your bike. Good luck and have fun with your bike.

 

[Crossfire_imp]

Thanks for the assist. Oh crap, it never occurred that something which looked simple could affect the rest of the geometry of my bike.
It reminds me of my youth when every guy wanted a muscle car, so they would begin by putting a V8 with a 500 horse engine into a Nova which came originally with a six cylinder engine. The first thing to come apart was the "tranny". Then they dump hundreds of dollars for a strong "tranny". The next thing to go was the weak rear end and you know the rest of the story.
Thanks

 

[rich_imp]

wait till you need new knees and have them add a inch or so

 

[Crossfire_imp]

Education is not necessarily a metric of intelligence. Many very intelligent people have opted to dig ditches, become carpenters, plumbers or drive a garbage truck rather than suffer the horrors of a modern education.

 

[jtopiso_imp]

I wouldn't touch the suspension geometry by shortening dampers or moving the fork on the triple clamp.

Lower preload can lower static ride-height a bit. But it also changes handling, so be aware...

What I've done in mine is take it to an upholstery: they've removed some foam from the top/front and a bit on the sides: so now, with a lower and narrower seat, it's easier to reach the ground.

Gel Moto | Xtrim Tapiceria De Asientos De Motos | Barcelona

See atteched pic for the mod made at the upholstery.

I liked the line of the seat better before the mod, but now I feel safer.