Stay away from the turnbuckle style lowering links

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by jstreet, Jun 17, 2015.

  1. jstreet

    jstreet New Member

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    Just had this happen as I was pulling into my driveway. I'm lucky it didn't happen on the freeway or while in a corner. I'm not sure of who manufactured this POS because it was on the bike when I got it but from a quick search it seems this has happened to others using good quality and cheap links.

    I am going to replace it with a stock linkage and raise the bike back to stock height, it's not worth the risk with these aftermarket death links. I'm 175 lbs and almost never have a pillion but when I do she's only 100 lbs so weight should not have been an issue. This link only had around 5k miles on it.

    20150615_164347.jpg
     
  2. jev.

    jev. over there

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    That looks like some hokey crap. I'm not surprised it broke. You can just flip the triangles to lower it a little.
     
  3. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    One member had the link on her VFR break while on the freeway here in Los Angeles. It stopped Thanksgiving holiday traffic for some time! She made it out OK but was a scary event none the less. I believe there is a post on VFRWorld about it, the one on VFRD is missing for some reason.
     
  4. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    Well, that answers the question I was about to post as to if the heim jointed link has any advantage over the dogbone. Wasn't looking to lower, my shocks adjustable but now I'm going to grease those needles and leave it be!
     
  5. GreginDenver

    GreginDenver New Member

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    That particular link undergoes some pretty severe shock stresses when the bike hits big bumps, withstanding huge instantaneous loadings.
     
  6. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    Heh, only as strong as the weakest "link"
     
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