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Short Bike

5K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  twinjet 
#1 ·
Anybody got a shortened side stand for a 2004 KLR650?

I'm thinking about going to 2" lowering links as the first step to making my KLR a street bike.
 
#4 ·
gotcha. :)

My point about weight was to point out (not very effectively, I admit) that lowering links change the effective springrates and dampening rates making them behave as though the shock was even lighter. As the stock pre-2014.5 shock is set up for a 160lb rider, the decrease in effective rates is undesireable for all but the lightest KLR pilots.....and the 2" longer links have twice the effect of the 1" ones.

The best solution if you really need to lower the bike that much is to have a custom shock sprung and valved for your weight usage AND to take into account the lowering link length. Cogent Dynamics does this all the time. Not the cheapest route to go though so as always it depends on budget.

Anyhow, this doesn't answer the question you asked so I'll be quiet now. Lots of guys (and gals) going back and forth on lowering links so it's quite possible you'll be able to find someone to swap with. Good luck. :)

Cheers,
Dave
 
#5 ·
No worries Dave, I had heard that the stock spring rate might be an issue. If cranking the pre-load all the way doesn't do it, a better shock/spring will be called for. At some cost point a new (different) bike may also solve the problem. However in keeping with the "KLR650" (cheap) mindset, I wanted to try the links first.
 
#9 ·
side Stand shortened

I cut my side stand. Picked up a coupling at Home Depot that fit inside the stand, and Drilled a couple of holes for small bolts, to hold it all together.. Painted it black. Worked great, and only took me a few hours to do.

As mentioned above, if you have a stand to be lengthened, just put a pad on the foot of the stand. ( It also helps to keep it from sinking into the ground.)
 
#10 · (Edited)
I cut my side stand. Picked up a coupling at Home Depot that fit inside the stand, and Drilled a couple of holes for small bolts, to hold it all together.. Painted it black. Worked great, and only took me a few hours to do.

As mentioned above, if you have a stand to be lengthened, just put a pad on the foot of the stand. ( It also helps to keep it from sinking into the ground.)
What kind of coupling was that?

(can't see it on your website)
 
#13 ·
Try cleaning the burrs off your cut piece and take it to a good hardware store, not a Home Depot or Lowes. Look at all the different things they have in their specialty parts boxes - bushings, couplings.... as well as conduit and plumbing pipe both black and galvanized. Also look at their flat/round stock selections. Then look at US and metric bolts.

Keep in mind that you can sand, file or grind it down a little if necessary.
 
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