[pauleknight]

Bike is Too low , need help

Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words while I was “stressing” over selling my R12GSA and acquiring a 2009 LT w/ 7.5K miles in the fastest color black.

The good news is she is perfect mechanical, and body. Not a scratch or even a water mark.

The bad news is she is LOW. She is SO low that I (5’9” 28in inseam) can stand flat foot on the centerstand. If you read my earlier post, the seller would not allow a test drive. In fact I truly believe that he forgot that he had the bike lowered…

She is so low that I can stand with bent knees when she is on the ground. On the way home just making a turn she was scrapping the frame. OUCH and scarred the shit out of me. The frame only had a few scratches, so I believe that the PO did no aggressive riding.

She is missing the rear “preload” and there is an aftermarket shock that I cannot see who makes it. I have only had the bike for 2 hours and did a quick assessment.

The kick stand is shorter and the center stand is also. Neither looks welded nor modified.

There is a gold “knurled” adjustment “ring” at the bottom of the shock that looks like I can adjust the preload, I just need to get in there.

Has anyone heard of a lowered bike to this extent?

I will reach out to the dealer shortly, but wanted to get the collective wisdom before I lose call them.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

 

[amarider]

I would just invest in a new shock - I prefer Ohlins.

 

[pauleknight]

I would just invest in a new shock - I prefer Ohlins.

I think that is a start,but the side stand and the center stand are also lower??

 

[amarider]

One thing at a time, center stands and side stands can be found cheap. Try Beemerboneyard, ebay among others.

 

[JPSpen]

Surely somebody here wants a short LT...

You need to trade somebody the Shock and both stands...

Come on you vertically challenged folks, Speak up...

John

 

[pauleknight]

Surely somebody here wants a short LT...

You need to trade somebody the Shock and both stands...

Come on you vertically challenged folks, Speak up...

John

I got some time to figure this out.

I am traveling all next week, leaving tonight.

I am going to call the dealler and see what he setup for the original owner and see what I can undue.

I am just wondering what the heck they all did?

 

[Razmataz]

Surely somebody here wants a short LT...

You need to trade somebody the Shock and both stands...

Come on you vertically challenged folks, Speak up...

John

Ok, I'm just over 5'7 with a 28/29 inseam, but I wouldn't lower it if is going to interfere with side to side movement. That's one of the great attributes of this bike. Any bike will have a certain feel that you have to obtain with it to be comfortable. The first week I was doubtful, but it got much better after that. If you are going to ride an LT like a Harley, you might as well have a Harley. JMHO

 

[pauleknight]

I called the dealer and the service manager is out today.

It looks like the parts that have been changed is the center stand, the side stand and the rear shock/suspension strut and possibly the front spring strurt.

Anyone think of anything else they might have mucked with?

 

[johnbaker15]

Geezzz,
That should be enough to keep you busy for a couple days at least, then there are farkles to deal with. :rotf:

 

[DanDiver]

Maybe the guy who owned the bike has the parts that were removed - I'd ask.

or possible the dealer that did the work might have the removed parts?

 

[pauleknight]

Here are some quick pictures. albiet large

 

[mwnahas]

Just wondering if the previous owner had under sized tires on it?

 

[pauleknight]

Just wondering if the previous owner had under sized tires on it?

tires

ME880 120/70VB17 Front DOT date = 3507
ME880 160/70VB17 Rear DOT date = 4407

Besides being the original tires they look right

Funny observation, the "stubble" on the side of the tires are all still there :histerica

 

[mwnahas]

sounds about right, guess that would have been too easy.

 

[deanwoolsey]

Consider a good set of new or used shocks and see what happens. Worst case scenario have a 2x8 ready to put under the center stand when you are done.

 

[pauleknight]

Consider a good set of new or used shocks and see what happens. Worst case scenario have a 2x8 ready to put under the center stand when you are done.

is that a version fo walk softly and carry a big 2x8 when parking?

 

[hschisler]

tires...
Funny observation, the "stubble" on the side of the tires are all still there

Maybe new tires were put on as he traded it in? Do the tires look brand new in other respects - perfectly smooth, no differentiation between "center line" tread and side walls?

 

[mwnahas]

"Funny observation, the "stubble" on the side of the tires are all still there"

Maybe new tires were put on as he traded it in? Do the tires look brand new in other respects - perfectly smooth, no differentiation between "center line" tread and side walls?

Stubble still on the tires because he couldn't lean over the bike far enough because it was so low. LOL

 

[hschisler]

"Funny observation, the "stubble" on the side of the tires are all still there"



Stubble still on the tires because he couldn't lean over the bike far enough because it was so low. LOL

Of course. I knew that. I mean, that was the obvious answer... right?

Doh...!

 

[gary45]

if the date code is correct and I am interpreting it correctly those tires are 5 years old