offcamber
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« on: December 30, 2011, 06:04:05 AM » |
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I just picked up an 06 from a consignment shop so I didn't get to talk to the actual owner. The guy at the shop said the PO lowered the front end and I can tell because the shock towers are sticking up. I plan to put it back to stock height but how can I tell if he lowered the rear as well? Here are a couple of pics of the bike...   thanks |
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willys
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« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2011, 08:05:10 AM » |
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The shock pivot links will be different from stock. Maybe Eagle Mikes or a knock-off version..? If you were given a second set of links, try those to see if they are the stock ones. The stock one if I remember right don't have any markings on the sides etc and look formed.
If you don't have them ask in any classified section if anyone still has their and are willing to sell them off, many do, sorry I don't have any more.
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steve
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« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2011, 08:10:20 AM » |
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look through the suspension section and/or search for "length of links" and stuff like that. many times folks have asked this question you have and the length of those links are how you can tell. i can't tell you how long the stockers are but they are silver and some of the aftermarkets are black.
sre
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AdvSwede
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« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2011, 08:17:24 AM » |
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Those front struts were dropped quit a bit. Being that the frame rail below the motor looks to be parallel to the ground I would guess it was lowered front and back. There are two ways to drop the rear. The most common is a pair of drop links. The other which would be more expensive to restore is a shorter aftermarket shock. Either way it can be returned to stock height with little work. Check the bay or C/L for stock links. I purchased some for around $30 when I had to restore my '99 to stock ride.
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AdvSwede
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« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2011, 08:30:25 AM » |
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Went out in the garage and took some pics. The stock links have some OD green over spray, it's a project. Stock they would be silver as steve stated. I measured the bolt to bolt on the stock it is close to 5". The second pic is of a set of lowering links. One big tip about aftermarket, they are usually machined from billet aluminum.
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SLO-KLR
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« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2011, 08:36:03 AM » |
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 offcamber! It's hard to tell from the photo but it does look like you have some type of aftermarket links.
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offcamber
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« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2011, 08:36:13 AM » |
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Thank Guys!!
As soon as the garage warms up I'm going out to take a look....if the links are stock I'm raising the front back up....any tips on doing that...I'll have no help. I may use an engine hoist to support the bike while I loosen the bolts. I need to dig it out from the other bay....
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AdvSwede
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« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2011, 08:36:56 AM » |
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Looked at your pics again. The answer was in the pic. These links look to be aftermarket and much longer than stock.
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AdvSwede
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« Reply #8 on: December 30, 2011, 08:46:07 AM » |
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Use an engine hoist with straps to the handle bars. Loosen the top and bottom clamps. You will need to use a screw driver to spread the top clamp in order to allow the tubes to slip down. Do one at a time. The top of the tube (not the cap) should be flush with the top triple clamp.
You will need to get the stock link before you the next step. I used the engine hoist to lift the rear of the bike to help switching the dog bones. Going off memory here, when installing the dog bones slip in the top bolt first. You will need to adjust the wheel (up/down) to get the bottom link holes to line up, I put a 2x4 under the wheel once and it worked well.
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offcamber
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« Reply #9 on: December 30, 2011, 08:46:13 AM » |
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Yup it has lowering links.... these to be exact http://klr650.com/shLowLinkit.htmNow I need to decide if I should leave it or go back to stock...kinda nice to be able to flat foot... The side stand doesn't look modified... I guess I'll leave it alone for now...can't ride till spring anyway...  |
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offcamber
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« Reply #10 on: December 30, 2011, 08:48:35 AM » |
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Looked at your pics again. The answer was in the pic. These links look to be aftermarket and much longer than stock.
wait so your saying the back was raised and the front lowered?  |
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SLO-KLR
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« Reply #11 on: December 30, 2011, 08:59:02 AM » |
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Looked at your pics again. The answer was in the pic. These links look to be aftermarket and much longer than stock.
wait so your saying the back was raised and the front lowered? No the longer links give the swingarm more leverage against the shock which effectively lowers the rear end. The catch 22 to this is most of us are not light enough to use lowering links for anything more than casual pavement riding. If you weigh more than 170lbs put the stock links back on.  |
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steve
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« Reply #12 on: December 30, 2011, 09:00:28 AM » |
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as i rcall, longer links, lower the bike. it's a leverage thing. i may still have my stock links in the garage. sre |
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SLO-KLR
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« Reply #13 on: December 30, 2011, 09:08:29 AM » |
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as i rcall, longer links, lower the bike. it's a leverage thing. i may still have my stock links in the garage. sre You are correct steve, longer equals lower. |
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offcamber
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« Reply #14 on: December 30, 2011, 03:41:50 PM » |
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Looked at your pics again. The answer was in the pic. These links look to be aftermarket and much longer than stock.
wait so your saying the back was raised and the front lowered? No the longer links give the swingarm more leverage against the shock which effectively lowers the rear end. The catch 22 to this is most of us are not light enough to use lowering links for anything more than casual pavement riding. If you weigh more than 170lbs put the stock links back on. Thanks I'm a bit over 170lbs  Another question...is this the stock shock?  |
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willys
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« Reply #15 on: December 30, 2011, 03:54:22 PM » |
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I would say so. and the stock spring. You should be good with it at your weight.   |
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steve
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« Reply #16 on: December 30, 2011, 03:54:49 PM » |
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yep. stock shock.
sre
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offcamber
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« Reply #17 on: December 31, 2011, 07:38:03 AM » |
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An inmate on AdvRider is sending me a stock set of links...now I need to figure out if the side stand needs to be replaced....judging from the lean angle I'm guessing is does...
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PonchoV
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« Reply #18 on: December 31, 2011, 08:53:31 AM » |
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Might consider packing those needle bearing before sliding the bolts back through.
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willys
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« Reply #19 on: December 31, 2011, 03:41:15 PM » |
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I would also remove the swingarm and repack the bearings before you get riding it if possible. They sieze up if you leave them too long and it becomes a big hammer job to get those bolts out. It's a perfect time as you will have half of the job apart anyway. Also do the shock and shock pivot bearings, use marine grease, just pack the bearings well and smeer the bolts with grease too, just for good measue. Make sure you wipe off all grease off the threads , and then add blue loctite! As for the side stand, think rubber pad underneath it to help with marking or sinking into very hot pavement or soft surfaces like sand mudd..etc. I tapped and threadded the bottom of the stand and then also drilled a second hole through the foot and added a bolt to help hold on my rubber pad. |
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Hoyks
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« Reply #20 on: December 31, 2011, 05:48:10 PM » |
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Looked at your pics again. The answer was in the pic. These links look to be aftermarket and much longer than stock.  And you might want to have a look at that swing arm. It appears to be modified  . |
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AdvSwede
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« Reply #21 on: December 31, 2011, 09:12:40 PM » |
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Naw, I think your looking at it upside down Happy New Year to you Down Under |
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offcamber
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« Reply #22 on: January 01, 2012, 09:51:42 AM » |
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Looked at your pics again. The answer was in the pic. These links look to be aftermarket and much longer than stock. And you might want to have a look at that swing arm. It appears to be modified . That's the special floating swing arm....a rare farkle... |
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Mr Green
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« Reply #23 on: January 03, 2012, 05:46:07 AM » |
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When I bought mine as a second hand bike it had lowering links and I didn't know that. Still I wanted a little bit lowerer bike and ordered from Germany 1 inch lowering links. When they arrived and I changed them, they were exactly the same lenght  The cost with wreight was around 45 € and there was no point to send them back because it would have cost so much (Finland-Germany)  Now I know why it was so difficult to adjust the head light, but I couln't find that from the side stand  Now the front too is lowered a little bit |
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preybird
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I grew up riding enduros
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« Reply #24 on: April 24, 2012, 11:01:50 PM » |
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If you leave it lowered and ride it off road aggressively you will need a chain roller. If you Don't the chain will cut\grind the air box vent and tube off......Ask me how i know?
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