Increasing ground clearance

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Steve6088
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Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:17 pm
Location: Manchester

Increasing ground clearance

Post by Steve6088 »

I'm having ground clearance problems. I have fitted cbr900 forks to the front of my bike and this seems to make the bottom of the bike sit much lower. This is particularly apparent on track where I get the bellypan and sometimes the downpipes grinding the floor.

Would increasing the preload or fitting stiffer springs increase ground clearance? I intend on getting it all set up properly by someone before I do another track day.

This photo shows how little clearance there is, even with only a moderate lean angle.

http://www.peterwilemanphotography.com/ ... il/3153586
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lloydie
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Location: In the garage somewhere in Coventry

Re: Increasing ground clearance

Post by lloydie »

Weighted springs will help as you ain't small or light ya big fooker .

I have weighted springs in my blade forks and I get some very impressive lean angles and haven't grounded out .
Having the bike weighted to you kitted up will make a ton of difference just make sure you use linear springs
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8541Hawk
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Location: Bella Vista, AR

Re: Increasing ground clearance

Post by 8541Hawk »

lloydie wrote:Weighted springs will help as you ain't small or light ya big fooker .

I have weighted springs in my blade forks and I get some very impressive lean angles and haven't grounded out .
Having the bike weighted to you kitted up will make a ton of difference just make sure you use linear springs
Me, I would have just asked what are your sag settings? :wink:

Though I do agree getting the suspension set up is step 1 to making the bike work.....
Big HP and Massive Brakes mean nothing if the tires are not touching the ground. :thumbup:
Loud pipes don't save lives, knowing how to ride your bike will save your life.
tony.mon
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Re: Increasing ground clearance

Post by tony.mon »

Hanging off might help, too.

Marquez seems to have a bit of an idea about that; he basically falls of to the inside but keeps hold of the bike and lets gravity shove him back on it as he gets near the corner exit.
I'm told that a 1kg/m spring helps, apparently some Kawasaki 1000's come with these springs.
For myself I'll be looking at K Tech or Hyperpro springs, if I had more money I'd be after cart's too, but for now that'll have to do.
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
mik_str
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Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2004 10:45 pm
Location: Montreal, Canada

Re: Increasing ground clearance

Post by mik_str »

Are your clip-ons mounted above or below the tripleclamp? The CBR forks are shorter and, to maintain ride height, require that the clip-ons be mounted beneath the upper clamp.......
99 VTR1000F Firestorm, a.k.a. The Carbon Express
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Steve6088
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Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:17 pm
Location: Manchester

Re: Increasing ground clearance

Post by Steve6088 »

I've tried increasing the amount of preload on the forks to try and reduce the amount of sag on the front forks. I've got a measurement somewhere. How much sag should I be aiming for with the forks, with me sitting on the bike?
8541Hawk wrote:
Me, I would have just asked what are your sag settings? :wink:

Though I do agree getting the suspension set up is step 1 to making the bike work.....
Big HP and Massive Brakes mean nothing if the tires are not touching the ground. :thumbup:
I've got the clip ons mounted under the top yoke, as they should.

I think Santa is bringing me a set of fork springs for christmas? What brand would be best? Just any which arnt progressive?
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Flatline
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Location: Leeds

Re: Increasing ground clearance

Post by Flatline »

You could fit 19 inch wheels

Failing that, try pumping up the tyres a lot more

The other option is to sell the forks to me :angel:
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