@Toumba... The ride is fine for a barhopper like this. The spring seat does a fine job. The bike doesn't "float" around the highway like it used to with the stock suspension. Sometimes the rear will chop a little on rough roads but that's to be expected, especially for such a light/small bike.
@Toumba .... I've done it many, many times. No problem. I work an hour away from home and drive it to work on the interstate in rush hour traffic of Nashville. I've taken it to Birmingham, Memphis and Knoxville before. That's about the limit I like to go without getting out the touring bike.
what do you recommend for a stretched back fork?? i just bought a 86vt 500 and love the back stretched fork look. how did you lengthen the drive shaft? do they sell kits...any help is appreciated..
@ziontific1978 no stretch. It's an optical illusion created by chopping off that god-awful long tail. I lowered the rear by making a set of 10-1/2" long rigid links, a custom fiberglass pan to cover the electrical and air box and the springer seat. I have since removed the engine and repainted it. The cases and valve covers are now black wrinkle. I have the bike for sale if you know anyone interested in these types of bikes. I'll post a fresh video soon.
I'm making a set of washer restrictors that are adjustable so once I rejet, I can adjust the backpressure to dial it in just right. Recently broke one of the back exhaust bolts so now that motivates me to drop the engine, paint the clutch cover the same as I painted the left cover, new barrel paint and the valve covers at the same time as I fix the broken bolt. Hopefully in time for Daytona bike week.
I haven't rejetted yet. I have added baffling to bring some backpressure back. However, it does need to be rejetted richer. It has a flat spot between the idle circuit and the mid circuit that I can't tune out with the factory jetting.
If you get the jetting figured out post it up ! I just picked one of these bikes up for $150 this weekend , came with those Mac shorties and were never installed .... so I'm gonna be in the same boat when I get it running
10-1/2" and the shaft is just under straight. It's about the same angle up as it was down before I dropped it. I have no worries about the shaft at all. If you want the same strut (with tail light hole and center rib relief), I'm selling them. It is much more stable with the lower center of gravity. The ride is fairly smooth with the spring seat too. Next upgrade will be a bicycle shock.
Hey, I've got the same bike. I want to lower it but i'm wondering if the CV joint at the trans can take it, i want to put 10 inch struts on it, what legnth do you have?
@benjison13013 Sorry its been so long. The CV angle in the stock config is nearly equal in positive angle as the lowered version is in negative angle. I made sure it wouldn't cause an issue. The front is lowered an extra 1-1/2" too. These struts are 10-1/2". If interested, I can make a custom pair for you.
that thing is a rat bike! nothing more..
carrysmith2008 7 months ago
@carrysmith2008 Keen observation there Einstein!
egardner1970 7 months ago
@carrysmith2008 Keen observation there Einstein!
egardner1970 6 months ago
How is the ride with a hardtail? I am thinking about getting some rigid struts for the rear
Toumba 1 year ago
@Toumba... The ride is fine for a barhopper like this. The spring seat does a fine job. The bike doesn't "float" around the highway like it used to with the stock suspension. Sometimes the rear will chop a little on rough roads but that's to be expected, especially for such a light/small bike.
egardner1970 1 year ago
@egardner1970 would you make a 1-2 hour long cruise with a hardtail?
Toumba 1 year ago
@Toumba .... I've done it many, many times. No problem. I work an hour away from home and drive it to work on the interstate in rush hour traffic of Nashville. I've taken it to Birmingham, Memphis and Knoxville before. That's about the limit I like to go without getting out the touring bike.
egardner1970 1 year ago
what do you recommend for a stretched back fork?? i just bought a 86vt 500 and love the back stretched fork look. how did you lengthen the drive shaft? do they sell kits...any help is appreciated..
ziontific1978 1 year ago
@ziontific1978 no stretch. It's an optical illusion created by chopping off that god-awful long tail. I lowered the rear by making a set of 10-1/2" long rigid links, a custom fiberglass pan to cover the electrical and air box and the springer seat. I have since removed the engine and repainted it. The cases and valve covers are now black wrinkle. I have the bike for sale if you know anyone interested in these types of bikes. I'll post a fresh video soon.
egardner1970 1 year ago
I'm making a set of washer restrictors that are adjustable so once I rejet, I can adjust the backpressure to dial it in just right. Recently broke one of the back exhaust bolts so now that motivates me to drop the engine, paint the clutch cover the same as I painted the left cover, new barrel paint and the valve covers at the same time as I fix the broken bolt. Hopefully in time for Daytona bike week.
egardner1970 2 years ago
I haven't rejetted yet. I have added baffling to bring some backpressure back. However, it does need to be rejetted richer. It has a flat spot between the idle circuit and the mid circuit that I can't tune out with the factory jetting.
egardner1970 2 years ago
If you get the jetting figured out post it up ! I just picked one of these bikes up for $150 this weekend , came with those Mac shorties and were never installed .... so I'm gonna be in the same boat when I get it running
ERohrbaugh 2 years ago
Thanks for the specs and the offer but i am building my own struts. When you rejet did you have to go richer?
benjison13013 2 years ago
10-1/2" and the shaft is just under straight. It's about the same angle up as it was down before I dropped it. I have no worries about the shaft at all. If you want the same strut (with tail light hole and center rib relief), I'm selling them. It is much more stable with the lower center of gravity. The ride is fairly smooth with the spring seat too. Next upgrade will be a bicycle shock.
egardner1970 2 years ago
Hey, I've got the same bike. I want to lower it but i'm wondering if the CV joint at the trans can take it, i want to put 10 inch struts on it, what legnth do you have?
benjison13013 2 years ago
@benjison13013 Sorry its been so long. The CV angle in the stock config is nearly equal in positive angle as the lowered version is in negative angle. I made sure it wouldn't cause an issue. The front is lowered an extra 1-1/2" too. These struts are 10-1/2". If interested, I can make a custom pair for you.
egardner1970 1 year ago