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Message started by 650savagegirl on 03/09/06 at 18:23:38

Title: Lower suspension?
Post by 650savagegirl on 03/09/06 at 18:23:38

I have been looking for a way to lower the bike about an inch, may an inch and a half on both the front and back. I have not been able to find much and was wondering what everyone else has done to lower theirs? I am short so I just need a little lower and I plan on shaving the seat down some too... Thanks in advance!!! :-*

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by lancer on 03/09/06 at 22:17:36

If you need some extra room, I would work on lowering the seat with a thinner but better quality foam and/or gel, but I would not lower the suspension. The Savage is short on suspension to begin with and removing any of the little it has will have drastic consequences on your quality of ride. Most Savage owners, who do change the suspension, add to it...not take away.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by klx650sm2002 on 03/10/06 at 02:16:19

You may be able to slide the forks through yokes a little. To find out put a cable tie round one of the fork stantions and go out and brake hard to see if there is any unused travel, if there is then You can lower by whatever travel is left.

Clive W :D

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Max_Morley on 03/10/06 at 10:11:31

Not on a 96 Savage as the top nut draws the upper fork tube tight to the top triple clamp. They are low as they will go. Max

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by slavy on 03/10/06 at 13:43:12

About the front- either it should be new fr. end, or shorter springs. About the back- hard tail. I don't like not the first idea, not the second, but this is Your behind on the line, so it is Your call.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Bugscraper on 03/10/06 at 18:04:01

slavy wrote:

About the front- either it should be new fr. end, or shorter springs.

Does anyone make a spring kit that will fit? If not, what would you suggest?

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Hammy211 on 03/11/06 at 00:08:44

Do you have the stock size tire, or has it been replaced with the larger size as is often done. If so switching back would lower the bike slightly. Unless the front can be done buy simply moving stuff, which I doubt, I think it would be way more headache than it would be worth.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by klx650sm2002 on 03/11/06 at 00:46:48

Hey Max

Thanks for the info on Savage forks, I didn't know that. KLX forks have 15mm to play with.

Clive W :D

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by 650savagegirl on 03/11/06 at 16:46:32

Thanks for all the tips!! ;) I think i'll just start with shaving the seat and I believe that will do it!! :-*

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Bugscraper on 03/11/06 at 19:33:03

Hammy211 wrote:

Unless the front can be done buy simply moving stuff, which I doubt, I think it would be way more headache than it would be worth.

Would shorter springs really be that much of a headache? Again, any suggestions?

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by bentwheel on 03/11/06 at 19:53:41

Say Savagegirl, unless you are 4ft. 6, I can't imagine you needing to lower a Savage. I don't like the idea of shaving an already too skimpy seat. This could come back and bite you in the ass later on. How long have you been riding? I'm 5ft. 11 and I have to use my tip toes at a stop on my buddies 1K V-Strom. It doesn't bother me in the least. The point I am trying to make is you probably just need more riding time to adapt to the ride height.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Frost on 03/11/06 at 20:15:20

Savage Girl,
personal experience with using your tip toes - this can be dangerous!!! Imagine stopping at a light on a hill with uneven ground and you try to keep the bike up with your tippy toes. Better to have a sore a$$ than be in dangerous situation. Always be able to flat foot your ride...period!!!
Just my 2 cents

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by bentwheel on 03/11/06 at 20:46:00

Frost, have you ever ridden off road on a modern dirt bike with a 38inch seat height where everyplace has uneven footing. It's not hard to get by. You adapt quite quickly. Just because you can't flat foot it, off road or on road doesn't mean it is dangerous.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Frost on 03/11/06 at 22:12:52

Like I said - personal experience. I Feel the rider must must feel comfortable on the bike by #1 being comfortable sitting on it holding it up not even moving. If there is a problem there, every time you stop you will have a physiological fear of maybe or maybe not being able to hold the bike up when you come to a stop. This is especially true for new riders. i say shave the seat get more comfortable with the bike and riding then see if you want to get a new seat ..again my 2 cents.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by babbalou on 03/11/06 at 22:14:20

I wonder if removing the rubber blocks under the seat pan might help. They're nearly an inch in thickness. Might make the seat a little buzzy, I don't know.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Savage_Rob on 03/12/06 at 12:39:51

babbalou wrote:

I wonder if removing the rubber blocks under the seat pan might help. They're nearly an inch in thickness. Might make the seat a little buzzy, I don't know.

Maybe cutting 'em in half might work though.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Trippah on 03/12/06 at 18:46:21

Odd thought, but has anyone eve tried smaller diameter wheels? Would be pia to do, but could save same.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by 650savagegirl on 03/12/06 at 19:02:34

Well, I'm just under 5' and I have to tipy toe...of course the springs will wear in a little and that will help. I was thinking I would shave the seat some and install a gel pad or something of that nature to make up for the loss of stock cushion. The dealer said the shocks will probably settle about 3/8" which will help. I have rode off-road...since I was 8 :P But the bikes I was on I could always sit flat-footed. I agree with the tipy toe is dangerous on uneven surfaces and hills... JMHO.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Max_Morley on 03/13/06 at 12:35:47

Make sure the shock are set to one of the lowest positions. The bottom of the spring holder will lower when you turn the cam adjuster. Use the end of the the screwdriver blade in the tool kit. It will soften the springs for more compression and a lower height when you are sitting on it. There is only about 3.5" of rear wheel travel anyway and it should be about mid position when you are sitting on the bike ready to ride.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by 650savagegirl on 03/31/06 at 10:20:51

Well...I hate to say it...but i'm going to have to lower the ol' girl! I know I saw a "lowering kit" for the S40. It was basically a shock relocation kit that set the shocks at an lower angle, thus lowering the whole bike. The problem is... I can't remember where I saw them! If anyone knows where I can get them and the link to the webpage that would be super!! Thanks in advance!! :-*

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by necropsy on 03/31/06 at 13:59:56

lancer wrote:

Savagegirl, keep in mind most of these people that raise the suspension bought a bike that was way too small for them. Upwards of 6' and 200+ lbs.
My S40 with flat bars will allow the forks to be pushed up through the triple trees.
As for the rear end.........
I read somewhere that the suzuki gel seat actually lowers the seat height an inch or so.

http://www.sotmc.com/product_info.php?cPath=4&products_id=81

Is another option (cut springs)

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by torque on 03/31/06 at 14:46:49

i would try to find those lowering brackets,and do it the right way.i cut the shocks on my old truck, to sit it on the ground,it rode like sh!t.buy quality componants and u'll save time and money.

as us mini truckers say "he who dies with the lowest truck wins"

raise=easy

lowering=hard

thats why lowering is so cool ;D

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Bugscraper on 03/31/06 at 16:48:44

[quote author=necropsy link=board=RubberSideDown;num=1141997379;start=0#20 date=03/31/06 at 13:59:56]
My S40 with flat bars will allow the forks to be pushed up through the triple trees.

The S40 will allow it, but the Savage won't? A previous poster said his '96 wouldn't.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Bugscraper on 03/31/06 at 17:30:18

650savagegirl wrote:

I know I saw a "lowering kit" for the S40. It was basically a shock relocation kit that set the shocks at an lower angle, thus lowering the whole bike. The problem is... I can't remember where I saw them! If anyone knows where I can get them and the link to the webpage that would be super!! Thanks in advance!! :-*

I'd also be interested; I've never seen 1 for this bike. But, if it doesn't already exist, it wouldn't be that big a deal to have 1 made, as it's a pretty simple design.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by jrm8486 on 03/31/06 at 18:55:44

If anyone finds a lowering kit let me know too, I have a friend who owns a shop called Profile Customs down here in Florida who fabricates everything for bikes I'm going to try to talk him into making a set.

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by Bugscraper on 11/30/06 at 19:59:39

jrm8486 wrote:

[quote][/quote]

Have you done that yet?

Title: Re: Lower suspension?
Post by justin_o_guy on 11/30/06 at 23:06:07

I am guessing that with your past experience in being short you have already considered using the thickest sole you can find for your riding boot. Remember when the place you are stopping isn't level to position yourself to make it easy. When the ground slopes down o the right, the left foot goes down. If it slopes down to the left, the right foot goes down. Just gotta make sure if it's the left foot down ya stick it in gear before ya stop. By narrowing the seat a bit where the legs are trying to squeeze it as they reach for the ground you can get your feet closer to the ground without trimming the seat lower just under your buns.The seat cover on my S 40 is just stapled on as well as I can tell. I would think getting it off & working on the foam wouldn't be too hard. I hear electric knives make quick work of foam rubber. The same cover can be reinstalled with just the purchase of a staple gun.

I am betting that with hours in the saddle your need for the lowering changes. If you have any daredevil in you at all you will soon be dragging pegs in corners & will want the bike back up where it came from. Dirt riders strike me as daredevils. .