Lower the front????

Can you lower the front end by just sliding the forks up in the triple?

What effect will that have on the handling of the bike?

If I put super bike bars on my ltd should I drill out the new bars for the wiring or run some wire loom on the outside of the bars?
Thanks in advance.

i remember some 78 z-1r's had the wires run inside the handlebars for the controls...is that what you mean...does your bike have em in the bars stock....???
i had a 78 ltd (super bars already)and that bike is a real,real,really strong bike,mine was like unbreakable.....superbike bars are the ticket and you will have to deal with your brakes master cylinder hitting the fork tops already with the super bars so i would not slide up your forks...you get good fork oil..good springs...good brakes working right,a good front tire with 36 p.s.i and you will be golden.....superbike bars will help a ton for a good front end feedback...really good handle grips..like k&n superbike grips are never mentioned but are the ticket...also get a set of bar end whieghts that will tighten in to the end of the bar ...this will give your front end a more solid feedback as it wheights the whole sytem and cuts out the buzzing/vibration big time ....that is how i set my bikes up and they handle as well as you can get with a stock kz front...just put the handle bar control wires in a sheath if they are loose and zip tie em to the bars....you'll have a little extra of everything to re route including throttle cable but it'll work....good luck craig

36 psi in the front sounds pretty high to me, but I'm only familiar with the KZ650. What the factory recommended pressure on a '78 1000 LTD? Ed

Most who attempt running switch wires thru bars do it twice in one setting, IE; their 1st and last. correct restorations may require it, and in that case is done w/ stock openings. challenging... I prefer to notch switch housings for escape and zip tie under bars. when switches are located w/posts, I drill for location. feeding fresh supple wires was a challenge, age and deterioration increase chances of cracking/cutting wire housings. G

650ed wrote:

36 psi in the front sounds pretty high to me, but I'm only familiar with the KZ650. What the factory recommended pressure on a '78 1000 LTD? Ed

650ed is 110% right i should not recomend somone a tire pressure that high....what i can say is that i run mine at the max pressure for the tire on the rim at that time and i have allways just ran 36 cuase it is in my download/mind now.....the bike is really heavy and the older profile and i am no tinkerbell either...do what feels right...but it is the MOST important factor overlooked by almost everyone riding these days...tire pressure can seep out or change and should be checked once a week or after the bike has sat a while or before a hot shoe ride.....thanks 650ed for helping me on that

1L9T7D8 1000 wrote:

Can you lower the front end by just sliding the forks up in the triple?

What effect will that have on the handling of the bike?

If I put super bike bars on my ltd should I drill out the new bars for the wiring or run some wire loom on the outside of the bars?
Thanks in advance.

Yes you can.

Quickens the steering. Exacerbates any pre-existing tendency toward speed wobble.

Imo, outside wires are easier to install, less likely to chafe, and easier to diagnose for any electrical issue.

Good Luck!

Thanks for all the info guys. My 78 ltd has the wires through the bars from the factory. I think I'm gonna try to drill holes cause I dont want it to look shitty, if it gives me a hard time I'll just run them out side the bars. I weigh about 285 dry so hows that effect the amount of pressure I should keep in my tires?

pingleonline.com has lowering tubes for the front end. They are cheap but a pain to put in unless your already rebuilding your forks.