Z1OwnersClub GB

Hi All

Having seriously started to plan the way ahead for my ST I have hit a potential snag. Being quite short at 5' 8 I have a stability problem with the bike at a stand still. My feet only just touch the ground.

If I can loose an inch of ride height and an inch on the sadle then things would be a lot better. The sadle I can deal with.

I am considering shortening, or replacing with shorter ones the front springs and doing the same for the rear.

Has anyone lowered the suspension on one of these bikes?

Any comments and ideas would be welcome.

Thanks Mick

Not sure if the ST forks are the same as Z1000 but what i did to lower the front end was to put the top of the fork tube about 20mm though the top yoke i.e. not level with it.

Mick,I've got a set of shocks which are 325mm long eye to eye.
Normal Z shocks are 350mm long eye to eye.
You're welcome to try them on your bike and see how you get on,for as long as you need 'em.
I can either post 'em to you or if you're going to the Donno show you can collect 'em from me.

Mick
I have the same problem as you , Though I am only 5' 6".
I found that the standard type of seat is easier to get your feet down than the 2-4 type I have.
The padding on the standard seat is much softer and seems to splay your legs out less.
If you want to try a different seat you are welcome to try my standard type one

Regards

Craig

Hey Guyzed, Jack and Craig

Thanks for the offers.

Guyzed, I've looked at the bike and I can't see any reason why I can't lower the forks in the yolks. So thanks for that. Its got to be the cheapest fix ever.

Jack, Thanks for the offer of the loan of the shocks. I wont take you up on them yet. This project might go on for ever, much appreciated anyway. I have hagons on at the moment and they measure up at 340 unloaded. Thought I might see if they can supply alternative shorter springs.

Craig, Standard seat seems like a good option. I'm not sure if mine is standard or not. Comparing pictures I think not. Could you have a look at my pictures to see if your seat is the same as I have fitted. Its listed under New here "Mick Haywards ST - Photos of it 'as purchased" If you think yours might be lower would appreciate a loan to try or swap or whatever.

Regards to you all and thanks

Mick

Glad i could be some help as i had the same problem- i'm only (5'4")

Hi Mick,
You need to be careful if you just drop the yokes down the forks as it will shorten the wheelbase, which basicaly means it will quicken the stearing,(make it quicker/easyer to change direction through corners), but the side effect of this is to make it less stable in a straight line (could tankslap etc at speed),
Also it will give you less ground clearence.
Changing the rear shox to shorter ones will help to keep the wheelbase the same so stability wont be an problem ( well, no more than usual ).

This will also give you less ground clearence, be carefull not to catch exhaust, footrest's on corners and also exhaust on road humps.

Its best to lower each end by the same amount and only as little as possible. Its basicaly trail and error.
everything should be ok just dont go to low etc. oh and good luck.
peter.

Hi mick
You have a 2-4 type seat like mine.
Give me your addy and I will post off my standard type seat to let you try it.
It wont go till next monday as i cannot get to it till then

regards

Craig

I have lowered 1 of my Kawa ER-5 training school bikes to suit the shorter rider so it should be possible on most bikes inc the Zed . As well explained earlier in the thread we did this by

1/ slackning the front pinch bolts on the front yokes and popping up the stantions so about 1/2 inch protrudes.
2/ buying some slightly shorter rear shocks
3/ getting the front seat foam cut down by about 3/4 inches and recovering

However a few of points to bear in mind

1/ we had to also shorten the side stand as the bike stood too upright
2/ It is a bugger (effort) to use the centre stand
3/ lack of ground clearance

Hi Peter

I could probably benifit from quicker steering especially at low speeds. However can't see 20mm off each end making much difference to the wheelbase. I suppose I could work it out but as you say trial and error will have to be the order of the day. As to ground clearance it can't be worse than riding 2 up with luggage and most of my riding will be solo. As for tank slappers well I,m a bit old for blatting around so shouldn't present too much of a problem. I'd rather that than laying horizontal at the traffic lights after missing my footing.

Joking aside thanks for your comments, all relevant and good reminders

Regards

Mick

Never considered the impact on the stands. Almost impossible to get it on the centre stand as it is.

Thanks

Hi the other thing and prehaps the cheapest option is to get yourself a pair of platform boots like me here in the 70s

Bedlow was in his fifties in the seventies - now he's nearly ninety.

The front's easy.... in my eyes.
Slide the forks 15-20mm through the yokes and fit 'Progressive' fork springs. If you don't fit the springs what can happen is upon grabbing a handful of brakes, the downpipes will hit your front guard. Progressive springs allow the bike to 'squat' in the normal fashion but give much more resistance than std springs under compression. I fitted then to one of my other bikes and they made a world of difference to both the handling and ride height.

As for the rear shocks, Hagon will build you anything you want at a very reasonable price. Tell them what you want and they'll do it !

Bog Fluff is right,
What might be an even cheaper option for you is to ring Hagon and ask them their advice and see if they can rebuild your own shocks,(as they are hagon) to the length you want.