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[RickSteeb]

My 2013 FX is presently at Evolution Motorcycles ( http://evolution-motorcycles.com/ ) being lowered. 

They will lower the triple-trees as much as can be reasonably done [the fork tube has a taper, being the limiting factor], and then measure how much shock travel occurs when raising the rear axle that distance, and insert a spacer that thick into the shock.  They also made note of my weight in order to design a custom spring...

Hope to get it back by next week! 

[Straightedg4lif]

My 2013 FX is presently at Evolution Motorcycles ( http://evolution-motorcycles.com/ ) being lowered. 

They will lower the triple-trees as much as can be reasonably done [the fork tube has a taper, being the limiting factor], and then measure how much shock travel occurs when raising the rear axle that distance, and insert a spacer that thick into the shock.  They also made note of my weight in order to design a custom spring...

Hope to get it back by next week!

I would love to know how many inches it gets lowered when all said and done. If you could update once you get it back that would be great!

[KrazyEd]

Be careful about lowering it too much without taking the side stand into account.
As it gets lower, it stands up straighter. You don't want it to blow over in a light breeze.

[evtricity]

On my 2014 SR I found that the bike leant over too much with stock suspension settings and with my bike now lower the stand holds the bike at a better lean angle.

[trikester]

Be careful about lowering it too much without taking the side stand into account.
As it gets lower, it stands up straighter. You don't want it to blow over in a light breeze.

I forgot to mention that i had to buy a shorter side stand from Hollywood Electrics after I lowered my FX. I also machined a bigger "foot" for the side stand because I have to park in sand a lot. The foot is held in place with one flat-head bolt and JB Weld. I posted a photo on this forum (somewhere).

Trikester

[Burton]

I posted a photo on this forum (somewhere).

Trikester

http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2520.0;attach=1014;image

[RickSteeb]

Be careful about lowering it too much without taking the side stand into account.
As it gets lower, it stands up straighter. You don't want it to blow over in a light breeze.

Oh yeah, they also will cut the foot off of the kickstand and weld it back on an inch or so higher...  good thinking!

[Cortezdtv]

Or you could just get a ds kickstand....

[trikester]

Or do as I said and go to Hollywood Electrics for a shorter stand. 

Trikester

[RickSteeb]

My 2013 FX is presently at Evolution Motorcycles ( http://evolution-motorcycles.com/ ) being lowered. 

They will lower the triple-trees as much as can be reasonably done [the fork tube has a taper, being the limiting factor], and then measure how much shock travel occurs when raising the rear axle that distance, and insert a spacer that thick into the shock.  They also made note of my weight in order to design a custom spring...

Hope to get it back by next week!

Just picked it up...  Feels great so far, based on a loop around the parking lot...  Metcalf opens at 0800 tomorrow!

Cost: Used 9Kg/mm spring (Triumph Street Triple) $60; Shorten shock & lower motorcycle $250; mount & balance two tires $90

Balls of both feet on the ground-- Priceless!  =D

[Straightedg4lif]

Glad to hear about a successful lowering of a Zero! I guess that I will have to take mine to a suspension shop as well once I get one. I was hoping to be able to pick it up from the dealership all ready to go, but that doesn't seem likely. I will just have to shop around earlier to have it all ready for the 2016 riding season here in PA.

[zerolow]

I lowered my wife's 9.4 S quite a few inches. She's 5' 4", and her feet are flat on the ground now. Nice! With the new spring, the bike can actually hold both of us too. The original shock bottomed-out when we both sat on the bike. I weigh 200 pounds and she weighs 100 pounds. The dealership was not very helpful with lowering, and a lot of custom suspension shops made the project too difficult...so I attacked it myself. The result is worth the effort!

[Manzanita]

@zerolow, can you give us some more details? What year is this bike? So you swapped the rear spring--with what? What is the seat height now?

Thanks, Alan

[Manzanita]

Jim at Catalyst Reaction suggested I look into modifying the seat before I mess more with the suspension.

There is a full 4 inches of seat height used up by the seat the the brace that supports the seat (there are a couple inches of air space under the seat pan):

Before: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1cea5i09bex4w5l/Zero_seat_normal.jpg?dl=0

After: https://www.dropbox.com/s/szikwjbhd3sqbhl/Zero_seat_removed.jpg?dl=0

This is just a duct tape prototype (with hard plastic underneath), I think I can just hammer/bend sheet metal and attach it to the side of the frame. With a 3/4" gel pad and a professionally done seat cover I bet I can get the seat almost 3" lower... by my measurements (using a yardstick and carpenters level at the lowest spot) the stock bike is 31" and in the photos the "seat" height is 26.5".