Lust lowering triangles

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by duccmann, Feb 13, 2012.

  1. carlgustav

    carlgustav New Member

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    Interesting impressions of VFR handling here. Using info from this forum and VFRD, I initially flipped my triangles effectively lowering the bike about 3/8", and made the corresponding adj. to the forks. Rode her this way for the past couple of years, still found that she was a bit 'plush' when pushed hard on some country back roads. Some weeks back I sprung for a new Penske rear shock that split the $ between the $625 'sport' shock and the $875 2-way I have on my Aprilia. Also had the front forks serviced and stiffer front springs put in as the stock springs are very soft. Flipped the triangles back, raising the rear to stock as I had not told the Traxxion guys about the lowering when they set the shock up. Left the front forks slightly raised. Took her out yesterday for about 3 hrs. thru some of these same back roads and she felt really good. On one particular stretch where you can push pretty hard, but the road has some irregularities in the turn, I really noticed the difference in the handling compared to the lowered stock set-up. I spent some $$$, but worth it I think. Time will tell :) ...

    ACE
     
  2. JoeMphoto

    JoeMphoto New Member

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    Hey Thanks duccmann and I think I am going this route instead of the Sigma kit. I may shave the seat down too. Did you have to adjust your rear shock after you installed the triangles? And one more thing did you cut the kickstand and if you did do you know how much you removed?
     
  3. NewbyRWB

    NewbyRWB New Member

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    Just read this thread and really intrigued me. I am also 5-6 and heard about suspension issues when lowering. Is this the only modification you have to do? Jus remove and install? Seems like a too good to be true statement. could someone please list the steps to complete this modification?

    Thanks
     
  4. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Its that easy, have ridden hard with no adverce affects at all.
    1) install new trinagles
    2) raise forks 10mm
    3) stiffen up forks a bit
    4) shorten kick stand ( Stosh did it 3/4 of an inch ) I did mine at 5/8
     
  5. NewbyRWB

    NewbyRWB New Member

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    I already have race tech front internals, but I don't need to do any thing to the rear? How did you shave your kickstand? I'm really liking this idea, just a bit green when it comes to workin on my bike.
     
  6. ndmeistr

    ndmeistr New Member

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    Ok After droping my bike twice on the right side from standing still at a dip in the road where I couldn't put my right foot down flat enough to steady my bike, I just bought these from the Lust Racing Website.

    I'm a bit confused about a couple of things though.

    - Did everyone take off the Center Stand when they did this? If not can you cut it down and inch or so?
    - I bought the 40 mm triangles for the Gen5 VFR. How much will I need to raise my forks? Also why wound't I need to lower my forks. Seems to me if you are dropping the bike should you not drop th front end too?
    - What a bout the side kickstand. How much do I need to cut off?

    This will be a new thing for me. Any help will be appreciated.


    Thanks.
     
  7. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    The answer to some of your questions can be found on this post...http://vfrworld.com/forums/5th-generation-1998-2001/37294-lowering-link-question.html

    In regard to your center stand, it probably would be a little difficult to use it once your bike has been lowered. I'm sure you could cut it down but removing it and using after market paddock stands might be more practical, unless you tend to use when your on the road.

    Cheers!
     
  8. Dukiedook

    Dukiedook New Member

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    Before I raised or lowered anything on my bike I would definitely want to crunch actual geometry numbers and make sure I had the proper spring rates on all shocks before monkeying with the ride height. You would also want to dial in your shocks with you on to check the sag.

    Raising or lowering without doing your homework can be bad.
     
  9. ndmeistr

    ndmeistr New Member

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    Will do. I was looking around and I beilieve setting the suspension to max will take care of the issue. I have already dialed mine in to max because I like the firmer/stiffer ride.
     
  10. JoeMphoto

    JoeMphoto New Member

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    Just the info I was looking for. Now the guy I bought mine from stiffened the ride already. My question to you is are you stiffing the ride from stock or stiffen it where it is when you lowered it? What was the reason you cut yours to be longer or is it personal preference. I can't wait to do just haven't had time and weather have not been kind to me lately. lol
     
  11. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Already stiffened it up after getting my bike last year thanks to Davis5----dont get what your saying about cut yours to be longer ?
     
  12. JoeMphoto

    JoeMphoto New Member

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    You posted that you cut yours to be 5/8in instead of 3/4in. What I was meaning to say is why did you cut yours at 5/8 instead of 3/4?
     
  13. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    OH, DER ------- it's just so it leaned alittle more. After raising my forks I now have the second grove showing from the top
     
  14. auditude

    auditude New Member

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    Hi folks, I have a 1998 VFR800 that was modded by one of the previous owners, at least cosmetically. I am instaling an Ohlins rear shock at the moment and found that my triangle links are bent a little, probably from the bike being dropped as there was other damage. I want to replace them, and this may be an excuse or reason to go with the lowering links. However, I'm 6'1" and don't really have a height problem with the bike. It seems like most people lower the bikes to fit their required seat height, versus handling or looks.

    My riding style is very mild, touring and commuting, at least at this time. I'm not a knee dragger type, but I plan to take some intermediate riding courses later. I put Helibars on and I like those. I suppose if I lowered the rear with some aftermarket triangle links that I'd end up dropping the front/raising the bars even further to balance it out, which I wouldn't mind.

    So one of my question is, for those of you with Gen5's that have installed Lust or other aftermarket triangle links, would you sell or give me your old stock ones if they are in good condition?

    If I don't find some cheap good stock ones, I may get the lowering triangle links just to try them out. If I'm going to be buying something anyway, I may as well try something that's supposed to be an upgrade.
     
  15. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    At 6'1" the stock seat height should not be an issue, lowering the bike may have some advantages i.e. Lower CG, but it is mostly advantageous for those with less height. I would just replace the triangles with the stock units, but I would also check the rear swing arm for other possible damge. i.e. Shock linkage, swingarm bushings/bearings, etc. just to make sure nothing else was damaged.

    Cheers
     
  16. auditude

    auditude New Member

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    Thanks for the reply, OOTVS. I noticed that the dogbone-shaped link had been scraping the side of one of the triangles. It isn't too bad, but I may replace all the needle bearings in there just to be sure at some point. I'll look out round for some stock triangles that aren't as much as the lowering ones.
     
  17. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I almost forgot. I have a rear linkage setup from an 2007 ABS (Dogbone & Triangles) that came with a shock I got off of eBay. When I looked up the parts at Ron Ayers these are the same part numbers for both bikes 2007/1998.

    Triangles: 524461-MCW-D00
    Dogbone: 52475-MBG-000

    1998: Ronayers.com Microfiche Honda>Motorcycle>1998>VFR800FI>REAR SHOCK ABSORBER
    2007: Ronayers.com Microfiche Honda>Motorcycle>2007>VFR800A>REAR SHOCK ABSORBER (ABS)

    Your welcome to have these, just pay for the shipping. All I know about them was that they came from a 2007 ABS model and I got it from a dealer in AZ who was selling the shock (w/Linkage) on eBay. They appear to be in good shape and I wouldn't have an issue putting these on my bike if I needed them, I'm currently using the shock that came with these on my bike. After having it refurbished by Jamie Daugherty of course. PM me if you are interested.

    Cheers!
     
  18. auditude

    auditude New Member

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    PM Sent.

    Wow that's a cool website. I'm going to be ordering lots of miscellaneous pieces that my bike is missing or needs replacing.

     
  19. auditude

    auditude New Member

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    Actually OOTVS, it turns out that the triangles for the 2007 are 52461-MCW-D00 and the ones for the 1998 are 52461-MBG-000. The ones I got from you are stamped "FR MCW ->" and as we would expect in hindsight, the ones on my bike are stamped "FR MBG ->". So, unfortunately I won't be able to use them. The MCW ones are noticeably smaller in the hole-to-hole distance and overall dimensions. Also the hole in the middle is a rounded triangle while the ones on my bike are totally round.

    That sucks. I can't blame you because I have no excuse for not verifying what you said you saw in the catalog. You even provided the links. Let this be a lesson to anyone reading. =) On the bright side, they sure did show up quickly and they were packed great.

    It looks like I'm either back to searching for some Gen 5 triangles or some aftermarket ones. I'm sure getting to know this bike more than before!

     
  20. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Sorry they turned out to be different. I swore I double checked that too.
     
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