kc50lx
10-12-2007, 09:13 AM
I can definitely say its worth every penny of the $75 I spent on it. Feels like a whole new bike, but now it amplifies how bad the front suspension is. I will hopefully get to address this with my next pay check. the bike also sits higher, although i didnt take any measurements, you can definitely tell it sits higher. I would say probably inch or so. Now i have a better spring rate for my weight and now i can actually adjust the rear suspension. instead of just preload, i can now adjust compression/rebound dampening and ride height too!
The swap only took about an hour and was really straight forward. However I am having two issues, maybe you guys can help me with. Let me start by setting up the scenario...
I couldn't find the right length bolt last night to attach the bottom shock mount. I finally found a bolt that if i used washers looked like i was going to have enough clearance so that it wouldn't rub the dog bones. the right side looks good but the left looks to be rubbing while the suspension travels. the suspension moves smoothly but there is a little rub going on from what i can see on the dog bone. I think a 1.75 inch bolt will fix this problem.
now to the real problems. last night when trying to set the sag on the rear i was off a 1/2 inch from side to side. ie the measurement before i get on is 9.5 inches and after is 8.5 on the right and 9 on the left. my helper was taking the measurements at the passenger foot peg. weird b/c the lower shock mount bolt is rubbing the dog bone on the left side, could this be related? maybe this is interfering with suspension travel after all, but there isnt any indication of this while bouncing the bike sitting still and it rides fine too. i dont know what to make of this????
the other issue im having and it may just be due to the stiffer spring. whenever im using moderate to hard rear braking, the bike feels like its pulling to the left in the rear (but the brake is on the right??) and the tire locks up or feels like it is locked b/c it feels like there is a little sliding going on. this has never been an issue before but it has happened twice in the last day since the install. this is a major concern b/c if im out riding the twisties and set up for a turn, the bike might step out and thats bad news!! one other thing, while doing the swap i did put quite a bit of stress on the rear brake line. i didnt realize that the bike was to high for the swing to come down without putting stress on the line. as soon as i noticed it i corrected it. the brake line didnt look to be damaged in anyway, but the first time i stepped on the rear brake it felt kinda soft like it needed to pump back up. after that initial pump it was fine and felt back to normal. could my rear braking problem be due to the stiffer spring rate in the rear?
sorry guys this is a really long read, but thanks for your time!!
The swap only took about an hour and was really straight forward. However I am having two issues, maybe you guys can help me with. Let me start by setting up the scenario...
I couldn't find the right length bolt last night to attach the bottom shock mount. I finally found a bolt that if i used washers looked like i was going to have enough clearance so that it wouldn't rub the dog bones. the right side looks good but the left looks to be rubbing while the suspension travels. the suspension moves smoothly but there is a little rub going on from what i can see on the dog bone. I think a 1.75 inch bolt will fix this problem.
now to the real problems. last night when trying to set the sag on the rear i was off a 1/2 inch from side to side. ie the measurement before i get on is 9.5 inches and after is 8.5 on the right and 9 on the left. my helper was taking the measurements at the passenger foot peg. weird b/c the lower shock mount bolt is rubbing the dog bone on the left side, could this be related? maybe this is interfering with suspension travel after all, but there isnt any indication of this while bouncing the bike sitting still and it rides fine too. i dont know what to make of this????
the other issue im having and it may just be due to the stiffer spring. whenever im using moderate to hard rear braking, the bike feels like its pulling to the left in the rear (but the brake is on the right??) and the tire locks up or feels like it is locked b/c it feels like there is a little sliding going on. this has never been an issue before but it has happened twice in the last day since the install. this is a major concern b/c if im out riding the twisties and set up for a turn, the bike might step out and thats bad news!! one other thing, while doing the swap i did put quite a bit of stress on the rear brake line. i didnt realize that the bike was to high for the swing to come down without putting stress on the line. as soon as i noticed it i corrected it. the brake line didnt look to be damaged in anyway, but the first time i stepped on the rear brake it felt kinda soft like it needed to pump back up. after that initial pump it was fine and felt back to normal. could my rear braking problem be due to the stiffer spring rate in the rear?
sorry guys this is a really long read, but thanks for your time!!