RavenFZ1
Well-Known Member
I ordered a 2" lowering link and adjustable kickstand from cycleoneoff.com and from order to delivery it was about 3 weeks. I didn't think to take any pictures during installation, but really it's pretty straightforward. Below is a pic of the items out of the box. Upon initial inspection the items seem to be good quality, the FZ-1 inscription on the link is nice, although you can't really see it after installation.
The part of the installation that took the longest was removing the needle bearings from the stock link and pressing them into the new link as I do not have a mounted press. I had to get creative with a c-clamp and sockets to remove and reinsert the bearings. Currently I have it lowered 2" in the rear and 1" in the front, which seems to be working just fine. The only drawback I have noticed thusfar is that it takes more effort to raise the bike onto the centerstand. I have the adjustable kickstand as short as it will go and the bike seems to be stable... but I would feel more comfortable with it even shorter so I may grind it down a bit more to allow more range of adjustment.
Here are the steps involved in installing the link and kickstand(follow at your own risk, not my problem if you hurt yourself or your bike, etc.) These steps applied to my 2009 FZ1S, steps may vary slightly for other models:
-Place bike on centerstand (DO NOT USE A REAR STAND!!)
-Place 2x4 or other suitable object under tire
-Remove two 14mm bolts from the stock link/dogbone and pull the link out
-Remove dust seals from bearings in links using a flat head screwdriver
-Press needle bearings out of stock link
-Press needle bearings into new link
-Line up new link with the notch facing the rear shock and insert 14mm bolt and secure with loc-tite
-Have an assistant lift the rear tire until the 2nd 14mm bolt lines up with the link (or place shims under tire until at the right height if you don't have an assistant) and insert bolt and secure with loc-tite
-If you are installing an adjustable/shortened kickstand, this would be a good time to go ahead and do so... removal is simply removing the spring attached to the kickstand then removing the main bolt on which the kickstand pivots. Installation is reverse of removal.
-You may now remove anything from under the tire and lower the bike from the centerstand and place it on the kickstand, take note of the lean angle of the bike and adjust your kickstand as needed.
Now for lowering the front end:
It is your call how much you lower the front. Some people say to lower it half of what you lower the rear, some say to lower it equal to the rear, opinions vary on this. I chose to lower it half and I can always lower it more later if I so choose.
-Place bike on centerstand and put something sturdy like a gallon paint bucket under the headers to lift the front tire off the ground.
-Place something under the front tire for support such as a 2x4
-Loosen (do not remove) all allen head bolts on the fork clamps, 2 bolts per bottom clamp and 1 bolt per top clamp
-Push/lift forks up placing shims under tires until the forks protrude from the triple tree the desired amount
-Tighten bolts one side at a time making sure the forks protrude the same amount on both sides, after you have confirmed they are equal, torque all bolts to spec
Now you are ready to take a ride with your newly lowered bike! Be mindful of your reduced ground clearance and get a feel for how the bike handles as it will likely feel different.
The part of the installation that took the longest was removing the needle bearings from the stock link and pressing them into the new link as I do not have a mounted press. I had to get creative with a c-clamp and sockets to remove and reinsert the bearings. Currently I have it lowered 2" in the rear and 1" in the front, which seems to be working just fine. The only drawback I have noticed thusfar is that it takes more effort to raise the bike onto the centerstand. I have the adjustable kickstand as short as it will go and the bike seems to be stable... but I would feel more comfortable with it even shorter so I may grind it down a bit more to allow more range of adjustment.
Here are the steps involved in installing the link and kickstand(follow at your own risk, not my problem if you hurt yourself or your bike, etc.) These steps applied to my 2009 FZ1S, steps may vary slightly for other models:
-Place bike on centerstand (DO NOT USE A REAR STAND!!)
-Place 2x4 or other suitable object under tire
-Remove two 14mm bolts from the stock link/dogbone and pull the link out
-Remove dust seals from bearings in links using a flat head screwdriver
-Press needle bearings out of stock link
-Press needle bearings into new link
-Line up new link with the notch facing the rear shock and insert 14mm bolt and secure with loc-tite
-Have an assistant lift the rear tire until the 2nd 14mm bolt lines up with the link (or place shims under tire until at the right height if you don't have an assistant) and insert bolt and secure with loc-tite
-If you are installing an adjustable/shortened kickstand, this would be a good time to go ahead and do so... removal is simply removing the spring attached to the kickstand then removing the main bolt on which the kickstand pivots. Installation is reverse of removal.
-You may now remove anything from under the tire and lower the bike from the centerstand and place it on the kickstand, take note of the lean angle of the bike and adjust your kickstand as needed.
Now for lowering the front end:
It is your call how much you lower the front. Some people say to lower it half of what you lower the rear, some say to lower it equal to the rear, opinions vary on this. I chose to lower it half and I can always lower it more later if I so choose.
-Place bike on centerstand and put something sturdy like a gallon paint bucket under the headers to lift the front tire off the ground.
-Place something under the front tire for support such as a 2x4
-Loosen (do not remove) all allen head bolts on the fork clamps, 2 bolts per bottom clamp and 1 bolt per top clamp
-Push/lift forks up placing shims under tires until the forks protrude from the triple tree the desired amount
-Tighten bolts one side at a time making sure the forks protrude the same amount on both sides, after you have confirmed they are equal, torque all bolts to spec
Now you are ready to take a ride with your newly lowered bike! Be mindful of your reduced ground clearance and get a feel for how the bike handles as it will likely feel different.
