Shorther shocks and Drag bars

I finally got my hands on some good stuff. Got a decent pair of 10.5" shocks for $30 off a mid '90s Yam Radian. They worked out great, bolted right on with the help of a few washers and and nuts. Dropped the rear end right around 2". Its amazing what a difference it makes though. I also picked up a brand new pair of drag bars for $15. I love the low fighter look that the combo gives. Unfortunatley, is still cold here in the Pittsburgh area so i only shot up the road for a quick hold-me-over till the weather breaks for good! Its getting late and the wifey has just gone to bed so I'll try and get some pics up tmw.

 

Yes, pictures are always welcome.

 

I hope you all enjoy the pics. I was pretty excited how she turned out yesterday so i had to tell someone. Now I need to find a solo seat. Depending what kind of seat I can find, I may or may not chop her and lower the seat a little. Ofcourse then I am opening the can that is the beloved airbox! I am quite familiar with the site and love nearly everybody's work. I came accross a post where a guy had essentialy chopped the rear of the airbox off. He then fasioned what i believe was a lawnmower airfilter to the intake housing. I was thinking could work for me. Can anybody give me any advise on this? Will i need to box in the filter so the air is nonturbulent? Or could i possibly build a PVC intake and place a single pod filter somewhere under the seat, maybe with some sort of housing to cut down on the turbulence there?

 

Have you thought of cleaning up the rear end a little? And if the wife wants to ride, you'll regret that solo seat. Check out my bike.

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=28506.html

Harley sport bob rear fender and sportster seat. Really makes the bike look better. Like Yamaha SHOULD have built it. ;-)

 

If you use a PVC intake, or use the original airbox to carb boots between your pods and carbs to create a velocity stack you should have a much easier time with tuning. Putting a box around the pods will not reduce the turbulence issue, as this takes place at the intake horn. Placing something between the carbs and the pods will shape the air charge and speed it up. Turbulence, be gone!! Have fun with you're project.

 

I'm just gonna hazzard a guess, but lowering the back and keeping the front stock will affect the geometry of the bike and possibly have an adverse affect on handling due to the rearward weight transfer that will occur?
Also, a good size bump could bottom out that shock and cause the rear tire to make contact with the fender. The fact that the shocks are off a mid 90's bike could indicate that they are getting worn out.
If you have the ground clearance and you can do it, maybe slide the forks up through the trees a bit.
This bit I'm not sure of, but will the drive shaft be running at a constant deflection causing premature wear?
Just guessing at this stuff, hope I'm wrong on all counts, but..........

 

Silly people. Just by lowering the rear of the bike a little (2" or so) will NOT change the handling as much as you may think. I've shortened the shocks without doing anything to the front forks on my 750 Seca and it handles just as good as before. And you won't even come close to rubbing the fender with the tire. They have way too much room under there for the tire to come near the fender.

 

can anyone help me find 10" rear shocks for my 83 seca 750?

 

swguy270 I do plan on cleaning up the rear end once I have find an appropriate seat. I did like the seat on your bike and almost picked up one just like it when i got the other parts. Unfortunately, my wife does not enjoy the ride as much as I. She said she is willing to take short rides in the city but nothing long or country side so I'm going solo! Maxim-X as for the drop having adverse affects on the ride, granted I only took a short ride but I have found no evidence of it. Like the other guy said, it doesn't drop it enough to make a defference. The clearence from top of tire to inside of fender was 5.25" before the drop and 3.25" after. The shorter shocks are significantly stiffer and I only weigh 200lbs. so I dont foresee any contact issues. swguy270 if what your saying is correct about the turbulent air issue, why could I not just leave the original intake duct work and use a more compact filter where it meets the airbox? I'm not doubting you, I am only trying to understand things and figure out what I can and cant do. justin23 I found my shocks at the local cycle recycler. Its only 5 miles from my crib so I'm in and out of the place quit often when the weather is nice. The guys out there are always treat me well.

 

Maxim-X I understand your train of thought about the drop changing the trail of the bike. I considered that before I even made the swap. Like you suggested, I figured I could get a the front down an inch or so by doing the "push-up" we'll call it. That is, raising the fork tubes through the triple tree a little. I had planned on doing it that day but my wife had gotten sick at work and came home early, thus cutting my day short. I spent a cpl hours playing with the Paint program on my laptop. I wanted to try to illistrate whats in my heard...

 

Prince-albert3,
That's pretty much the look most are going for when bobbing these bikes. Looks good! What color is it going to be when your done?
I chose to just shorten my shocks instead of buying shorter ones (either way will work) and installed a Sportster seat, which are very easy to install with little fabrication. I see alot of riders wanting lower drag style bars, which is a personal preferrence I guess. But I decided to go with forward controls and higher handlebars, so my arms would be straight out, even with my shoulders (more natural and comfortable for me) I'm using 4" risers (made myself) with a set of Goldwing handlebars, which have an 8" riser. That brings the total rise to 12" and works perfect. It's more fun to ride the way I have it now than the stock seating position by far. No way I'd ever go back to a stock bike like this.

 

I played with paint for a little while longer last night. I switched the color to a lime green. It looked pretty good to me so I think I might go that route. I've always liked the color so why not ride it!

 

That'll be different.

 

That is what I meant by creating "velocity stacks" I was under the impression (for some reason, im crazy so overlook me when I get goofy) that you didn't have the original airbox and boots. If you do, then certainly use the original airbox-to-carb boots and attach a pod to the end of each one. This will provide the shaped air charge necessary for the carbs to function properly. You will still have to re-jet your carbs, but doing this makes them MUCH easier to tune. Sorry if my previous post wasn't clear. Like I said, I'm a little crazy.

 

[quote="swguy270] Like I said, I'm a little crazy. [/quote]

D'oh! We all ride bikes, so you get a pass on that one! :roll:
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

I hear ya. I love your signature, man. I guess this is the first time i've noticed it. Hilarious!

 

I like your insipation, I can't wait to see the final, outcome, Is that a scalloped tank? If so do you plan on shading, pinstriping or highlighting the scallops?