3" lowering shims install?

I have a '79 KZ1000 Shaftie, and tomorrow I may get some time (all day) in the garage. Was going to tackle a few things on my bike (rear turn signals, handle bar adjustment, and install 3" lowering shims) :woohoo:

How hard is the install? If I jack up the bike on a bike jack, will all the pressure be off the fork spring, or will it still be dangerous taking it off? Any other issues with this install?

Thanks,

3" lowering shims?? I don't know how those lowering shims work. Does that mean you plan to lower the front end by 3"? I don't have the specs for your bike, but my K650 has 5.5" of total front fork travel. If yours is similar, and you reduce it by 3" that leaves precious little suspension travel. Won't the front forks bottom out when you hit a bump or brake hard? Seems like that could easily lead to a loss of control. Also, if it only leaves 2.5" or so of fork stroke wouldn't the forks need to be super-stiff so as not to bottom out even on little bumps? Seems like that would impair both handling and comfort. Other factors to consider include the pipes or frame bottoming out on the road at speed bumps or other irregularities in the road and the potential for the front fender / wheel to hit the exhaust headers during suspension compression. I'd be very careful about losing that much suspension travel if that would be the result of using lowering shims. Ed

What Ed said plus yes, there will be tension on the springs. How much is impossible to say, so be very careful. If you follow the directions in the factory shop manual, you should be fine.
What sort of shims will lower the bike?

Here's an interesting article on the subject.
www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0210_lowering_your_bike_safely/

Serpent7 wrote: I have a '79 KZ1000 Shaftie, and tomorrow I may get some time (all day) in the garage. Was going to tackle a few things on my bike (rear turn signals, handle bar adjustment, and install 3" lowering shims) :woohoo:

How hard is the install? If I jack up the bike on a bike jack, will all the pressure be off the fork spring, or will it still be dangerous taking it off? Any other issues with this install?

Thanks,

Organ donations are in someones future. :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: l


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First off, thanks for all your concerns about my well-being. I appreciate life and don't plan on passing anytime soon...

Second of all, if you don't try something how do you know it will work or not? 3" fork lowering shims are made by Shiltz racingI believe and are $18+. I'm building my KZ for looks first. I do not ride it often (maybe once a week; 1-2 miles). I have an idea of how I want it to look in my head and it's going to end up that way as long as I own it no matter what.

Third of all, I posted this because I'm going to hopefully start this project today and wanted to know what I'm up against as far as installation.

TexasKZ wrote: Here's an interesting article on the subject.
www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0210_lowering_your_bike_safely/

Nice artical.

i know schnitz use to sell 1" or 2" lowering spacers for a Z/kz......I think they were made by MANLEY i do not see them available any longer.....they were 1" or 2" aluminum tube.....you do have to disassemble the tubes to install...... :S

I used the 1 inch. I raised the tubes in the trees a bit also but didnt like it. 1 inch worked well with my slightly lowered rear.
Wayne

turboking wrote: i know schnitz use to sell 1" or 2" lowering spacers for a Z/kz......I think they were made by MANLEY i do not see them available any longer.....they were 1" or 2" aluminum tube.....you do have to disassemble the tubes to install...... :S

the back end of bikes not going to like that not on a shaftie
but then again live and learn
good luck

You can get 1 inch by loosing the triple tree bolts and sliding forks up on the tree 1 inch.

I installed 2 inch spacers on mine for a total of three inches.

I Ended up going to two, as the forks felt to harsh.

turboking wrote: i know schnitz use to sell 1" or 2" lowering spacers for a Z/kz......I think they were made by MANLEY i do not see them available any longer.....they were 1" or 2" aluminum tube.....you do have to disassemble the tubes to install...... :S

They are without a doubt, 3"… I'll post pics later on today. Never got a chance to install them yet. "Hunny do" list, and 8 month old are priority. Maybe one day this week, I'll get into the garage.