Lowering my Glee.

[Joe Rocket]

A while back I followed Barbel Mick's change over to the 800 RE at a time when I thought I might do the same. After much thought and helpful conversation with him I have now decided to keep the 650 and ordered a pair of 25mm lowering dog bones which should be here in the next few days. The front end has already been lowered 12 mm and I'm looking to match the rear.

I've searched through previous threads and can only find a difinitive value of 10-15 mm for lowering the front after which brake hoses, fork brace (I've not got one) and even gaiters came into the discussions. I would appreciate any thoughts you may have or have you done it on your bike, a Glee that is?

I am aware that I'll have to lift the bike an inch higher onto the centre stand and the side stand 'lean' will be affected although it is quite loose or floppy as they usually are and I've a bigfoot monted on it which has a 5 mm base plate.

It was a slightly weird feeling to read old threads where the great Greywolf was the word of all things V-Strom and very much our guide.   

[Joe Rocket]

I've swapped the dog bones over and predicably increased the necessary lift onto the centrestand. It is higher but technique conquers that problem. There is a a more sudden drop when pushing the bike off with a mechanical sound so I'll see if the stand now reaches the rubber stop.

I dropped the forks another 12 mm but found the preset adjusters on the fork springs, level 2, can touch the handlebars so I'll adjust them back.

The bike now leans far less on the sidestand but fine for level ground. I guess the aim now will always be to not park on an adverse camber.

I'll post photos when I get the right set up.

So far 11€ spent! 

[Joe Rocket]

Photos for the reply above:
*1 Clearance of the rear tyre above the garage floor and new dog bones. There is no adverse contact or problem with the change, the centre stand makes more noise as it travels freer and further.
*2 Fork preload adjuster and handle bar. Obviously there wouldn't be conflict if the forks aren't lowered.
*3 Lean of the bike now on side stand. When I pick the bike up the stand will freely kick back on the level garage floor, but only just.

The reason for the change is that the bike is now ten years old and I'm ten years older. I don't have the sporty approach or muscles to match anymore and my wife has the same complaints so an easier bike to mount is the result. Previously toes down on the ground I can get the balls of my feet down now. 

[user650]

Bar risers also help with an aged back, ask how I know. 

[Joe Rocket]

Okay. I've been riding my lowered bike solo for the last couple of months. Very happy with it, no problems. In fact I have been so reassurured to get the balls of my feet down at a stop.

Today was the first trip with pillion wife so we are now officially fully loadeed, nearly. We are not big folk, I am 85kg and she is 65kg. First riding dip on our driveway topped the tyre on the underseat mudguard. Hmmmm, not happy. We haven't put our extra camping kit on the bike yet.

The front poses no problem but the dogbones on the rear are too much for future fully loaded trips it seems. Bummer!

I'll be trying less adjustment dogbones with shorter sidestand, courtesy of Sage here on V-Strom club. 

The rear spring is set to high loading as most of our riding is just that, two up.

I'll report back when changes have been made.

[Gert]

The shock, over time, will get softer. I would consider either replacing it with a good condition shock from a 1st gen Vee or upgrage the existing shock spring to suit your two up with luggage loading.  The shock will fit all models 650, from the K4 - M5.
Do note that the shock from the Vee is slights longer than that of the 650. I posted a pix, to show the slight difference between the two shocks, in reply #12,249 of https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=12233.msg449683#msg449683

After the shock up grade you can either slack off on the sag, for solo riding or turn it up / re-adjust to suit.