MadDogMcQ
Well-known member
Well today I fitted the ride-height-lowering-kit onto my 07 FJR1300. Basically, the kit is comprised of 2 smaller dogbones and a washer fitted to the shocker-absorber which acts as a "stop".
The first thing to note is that the bolt which goes through the dogbones is completely covered by the centre-stand when it's down, so you have to jack the bike up using other methods (we used wooden blocks on the centre-stand pivot points). Once the bike is up, you then have to support the back wheel so that it doesn't drop when you remove the dogbones. You can use anything for this - a dod of wood or whatever fits nicely under the wheel.
Then the bolts are undone, the dogbones removed and the new ones fitted (lifting the rear wheel slightly to meet the smaller dogbones). Tighten it all up, snap on the shocker-washer and Robert's your Dad's brother!
I decided not to grind any of the sidestand off at this stage - the bike seemed to have retained a decent lean. Sat on the bike I can now get the balls of BOTH feet comfortably and easily onto the ground. Before I could only just get my tiptoes there, making life very difficult when trying to "walk" the bike backwards out of a parking bay. Steep cambers at the kerbside are also a problem of the past. Overall, I feel much more comfortable on the bike.
As for handling, yes, it feels lower (although a lot of that is just in my head ) and I did catch my boot on the floor when going around a corner, but the truth is, it doesn't really feel any different. It handles very well and I'm certainly not gonna adjust the front forks at this stage.
So, in conclusion, I would highly recommend this upgrade!! I bought it from the FJ-CLUB £80
The first thing to note is that the bolt which goes through the dogbones is completely covered by the centre-stand when it's down, so you have to jack the bike up using other methods (we used wooden blocks on the centre-stand pivot points). Once the bike is up, you then have to support the back wheel so that it doesn't drop when you remove the dogbones. You can use anything for this - a dod of wood or whatever fits nicely under the wheel.
Then the bolts are undone, the dogbones removed and the new ones fitted (lifting the rear wheel slightly to meet the smaller dogbones). Tighten it all up, snap on the shocker-washer and Robert's your Dad's brother!
I decided not to grind any of the sidestand off at this stage - the bike seemed to have retained a decent lean. Sat on the bike I can now get the balls of BOTH feet comfortably and easily onto the ground. Before I could only just get my tiptoes there, making life very difficult when trying to "walk" the bike backwards out of a parking bay. Steep cambers at the kerbside are also a problem of the past. Overall, I feel much more comfortable on the bike.
As for handling, yes, it feels lower (although a lot of that is just in my head ) and I did catch my boot on the floor when going around a corner, but the truth is, it doesn't really feel any different. It handles very well and I'm certainly not gonna adjust the front forks at this stage.
So, in conclusion, I would highly recommend this upgrade!! I bought it from the FJ-CLUB £80