XR650L suspension mods (lowering)
Jim Nelson
I'm an "inseam challenged" (30") dirt bike rider who has been away
from dirt bikes while the seat heights climbed higher and higher. I
recently purchased a '94 XR650L and decided that something had to
be done about the seat height. So I ordered a White Bros lowering
link from Baja Designs. I had called WB and was informed that the
link only worked on the '93 model, but Baja insisted that they had
installed them on lots of newer XR650's and they lower them too.
The only hitch in installing the link is that the needle bearings must
be pressed out of the stock link and back into the WB link. Luckily
my neighbor has a press and it was a 10 minute job. The link lowered
the rear of the bike 1 3/4 inches and I slid the forks up 3/4 inch in
the triple clamps. This made a huge difference for me, as I went from
being able to touch one or the other tiptoe stock, to now being able
to get the balls of both feet on the ground. I have measured the
clearance between the fender and tire and even when lowered by 1 3/4
inches there is still 1.5 inches of clearance when bottomed out
(assuming Honda's figures on wheel travel are correct).
The White Bros lowering link was about $100, but I work with several
machine shops around here and think I could get them made for half
that if anyone is interested.
*********************************
Jim Nelson jne...@southwind.net
Derby, Kansas
*********************************
Bonus Sock
In article <6kujn7$dru$1...@opal.southwind.net>, jne...@southwind.net wrote:
<snip>
> The White Bros lowering link was about $100, but I work with several
> machine shops around here and think I could get them made for half
> that if anyone is interested.
That's nice...but White Brothers put in all the R&D required to make that
piece. Plus, they support our sport.
Promoting a cheap knock-off by some unknown machine shop is VERY cheesy.
- Don
DirtCrashr
>> The White Bros lowering link was about $100, but I work with several
>> machine shops around here and think I could get them made for half
>> that if anyone is interested.
>
>That's nice...but White Brothers put in all the R&D required to make that
>piece. Plus, they support our sport.
>
>Promoting a cheap knock-off by some unknown machine shop is VERY cheesy.
>
>- Don
Welcome back Don!
djo...@cyberhighway.nospam.net
On Mon, 01 Jun 1998 09:18:32 -0700, fast...@idt.net (Bonus Sock)
wrote:
>In article <6kujn7$dru$1...@opal.southwind.net>, jne...@southwind.net wrote:
>
><snip>
>
Oh great, it appears our conscious has returned from sabbatical....
If the link is such an engineering marvel they should patent it. If
it's not protected, then there is nothing wrong with copying it or
sharing information with others on how they can have one made. Even if
it is patented there is still nothing wrong with making your own
having one made for yourself.
Now if somebody was making and *selling* them, in my mind that would
cross the line....
I suppose it's "cheesy" for all the aftermarket plastic manufacturers
to make knock-offs of OEM fenders, side panels and number plates.
After all, it was the original manufacturer who put in all the
R&D.....
DJ - Going to clean my room now that Mom is home!
Bonus Sock
In article <3572e460...@news.cyberhighway.net>,
djo...@cyberhighway.nospam.net wrote:
> On Mon, 01 Jun 1998 09:18:32 -0700, fast...@idt.net (Bonus Sock)
> wrote:
> >In article <6kujn7$dru$1...@opal.southwind.net>, jne...@southwind.net wrote:
> >> The White Bros lowering link was about $100, but I work with several
> >> machine shops around here and think I could get them made for half
> >> that if anyone is interested.
> >That's nice...but White Brothers put in all the R&D required to make that
> >piece. Plus, they support our sport.
> >Promoting a cheap knock-off by some unknown machine shop is VERY cheesy.
> Oh great, it appears our conscious has returned from sabbatical....
> If the link is such an engineering marvel they should patent it. If
> it's not protected, then there is nothing wrong with copying it or
> sharing information with others on how they can have one made. Even if
> it is patented there is still nothing wrong with making your own
> having one made for yourself.
> Now if somebody was making and *selling* them, in my mind that would
> cross the line....
May I direct you to the line "I could get them made for half that if
anyone is interested."
What do you think he meant by "if anyone is interested"? Do you think he
was planning to give them away?
> I suppose it's "cheesy" for all the aftermarket plastic manufacturers
> to make knock-offs of OEM fenders, side panels and number plates.
> After all, it was the original manufacturer who put in all the
> R&D.....
Very good point. Thanks for making it.
- Don