Is my bike lowered?

I'm a total noob, but learning (or at least trying to). How can you tell if a bike has been lowered? I looked for 'lowering links', but im not sure where they would be.

I ask because i have a hell of a time getting it on its center stand by myself. Videos online seem to look like the center stand is at less of an angle when they do it, i feel as if mine has been lowered and thus i have to pull back hard as f*ck to compensate for the angle. I used to be able to do it with a friends ninja 250 and my old Katana pretty easily...

Here are pics, too.

looks stock to me i have the same problem with my 700 but then again the seven is a heavy bike

Doesn't look like it. Shocks look stock from what I can see. Also, not sure if you put tire black or armor all on your back tire for the dark, wet look but be careful...that sh1t is slippery.

apbling wrote: Also, not sure if you put tire black or armor all on your back tire for the dark, wet look but be careful...that sh1t is slippery.

The dealer did that, they sold it to me on a consignment and obviously wanted to pretty it up. Ive had the 440 for over a month and have worn off the gunk, but yeah, i noticed that, too, thanks.

This model seems low as it is, so i cant imagine a lowering either. Its a shame i cant get it on the center stand by myself very easily, then. Such a severe angle the stand hits the pavement...

The Kawasakis seem to have a low leverage ratio on the centerstands. My Honda VF500 felt like it weighed half as much as my Kaw 550's.

I don't really pull back when doing this. I always push down on the centerstand with my foot, while lifting up on the bike under the seat with one hand. The other hand is on the bars. Some bikes are more difficult than others though.

Maybe someone put the centerstand from another bike on it. Seems unlikely, but after 30 years anything is possible. How far is the wheel off the ground when the it's on the centerstand?

Click > www.kzrider.com/forum/21-tools/317801-ea...ift-onto-centerstand

This works very well, never mind the naysayers and supermen. :laugh:

Give it a try and let us know.

Good Fortune!

My '81 KZ 550 does the same thing. I have to use a pulley and my car to get that thing on the center stand. They must be meant for service work only. I'm taking mine off soon, since I'm turning it into a cafe racer anyway.

Maybe bigger taller guys can do it. I'm only 5'8' and 185, so sucks for me and the center stand. I'll be really embarrassed if someone posts they're 5'6' and 150 and can get there's up...:lol:

Usually getting a bike on the center stand is more a question of leverage than strength. Your weight should be all that is required rather than trying to pull back.

EricHa wrote
I don't really pull back when doing this. I always push down on the centerstand with my foot, while lifting up on the bike under the seat with one hand. The other hand is on the bars. Some bikes are more difficult than others though.

I do pretty much what EricHa describes. The only additional thing I do is once the stand makes contact with the ground I lift my other foot off the ground so that my weight acts as the necessary leverage to get the bike up on the stand. BTW I'm about 5'8" but it's a few years since I saw 150lb. :laugh: Closer to 195 now.

Don't pull back. Step and pull up. Do it in one motion and up she'll go.

i have the same problem with my 81 650. its had as hell to get on the center stand. what i do now is i use a brick and drive the front wheel up on it, then rock it back on to the center stand, goes on the stand very easy that way, then just slide the brick out of the way. it was the only way i could think of one night trying to get it on the center stand in the garage. i deffinetly wasnt asking the wife to help