LOWERING MY GRiSO!

OK, I now most of you wouldn't consider lowering you bike, but even with my seat cut down an inch, I'd still like to get an inch lower.
The frame is fairly wide at the seat's front that is the problem.
I know I can slide the forks up in the t-clamps, but the stock shock will need to be relaced with a shorter model.
I wouldn't want the ride to become any more stiff than it is, so what shock is the candidate for this.
Hopefully handling will not be effected negatively since it is a long wheelbase bike.
Any thoughts on this?
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Actually, you may handle better in hi-heels.
Not that I would know.   

1. Lowering the front by bringing the forks up through the triple clamps.
2. Can the plastic seat base be reshaped for a narrower snout, and upholstered accordingly. I'm Grisoless so just asking.

Canyon,
Ghezz's suggestion about higher heels should be considered as a possible solution.
I am vertically challenged but I would rather tipeytoe than lower my GRiSO.
Getting a suitable rear shock or linkage is likely to be costly and the thought of losing an inch of ground clearance really isn't very appealing unless you plan to ride it like a Harley.
There are boots out there (I think the brand is Daytona) that are built with a thicker sole and heel section which may solve your problem, if you are just looking for a more secure footing when stopped.
I just usually slide my arse of the seat a bit when I come to stop and this works well enough in 99% of situations.
Might be worth investigating before spending money on the bike mods as I can't see a great outcome from reducing the suspension travel.
You may have to ignore the occasional short joke from some of your less intelligent mates but who gives a shit what they have to say.
Let's face it you have probably heard them all before 100 times anyway and if they come up with a new one enjoy it.

Mark

Points taken, but shock question not answered guys. I have a second seat and may alter the snout a bit more, but the GRiSO's frame is wide right there.

Race Tech is in Riverside and Lindemann Eng is in Mentone (Redlands)
Not your next door neighbors but still within arms reach.
I don't know if Todd at GuzziTech does much suspension modification.

DM

DungeonMaster wrote:

Race Tech is in Riverside and Lindemann Eng is in Mentone (Redlands)
Not your next door neighbors but still within arms reach.
I don't know if Todd at GuzziTech does much suspension modification.

DM

Thanks for this info!

You can always sleep with a basketball between your thighs and tape your ankles together for a month or two...

Standard Bellagio shock and GRiSO are same length, had both of them in my Bella.
Bellagio has a lowered model and I believe it may be a shorter shock.
If not it would be a different linkage set up, which would still be compatible with the GRiSO swingarm/frame.

However, I would counsel you not to modify standard shocks for better compliance/handling.
In my opinion your money is better spent on better quality equipment.

Canyon Carver wrote:

Points taken, but shock question not answered guys. I have a second seat and may alter the snout a bit more, but the GRiSO's frame is wide right there.

Don't bother...
Sit on the bike without the seat on, you'll get no better reach so altering the seat is a moot point really.

Must be this tall to ride ---->

                                



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You guys are probably right on all points. I can ride it and touch feet down ok. Fuck it!

seriously drop the front end and your GRiSO will handle quicker but don't drop the ass end it doesn't have much travel to begin with.

Also research tyre profiles and actual measured rolling diameters, not the numbers on the side of the tyre. There can be quite a difference between brands/models.

I have my GRiSO down to the 5th line of the forks. I have seen another GRiSO rider with his forks down to the 6th.
Not out of need to reach the ground - out of want to set up the steering.
It will make ground reach easier.

DM

DungeonMaster wrote:

I have my GRiSO down to the 5th line of the forks. I have seen another GRiSO rider with his forks down to the 6th.
Not out of need to reach the ground - out of want to set up the steering.
It will make ground reach easier.

DM

Interesting. I like how stable my bike is at high speed, though I haven't cracked 100mph yet. Dropping it an inch wont hurt?

I have 6 rings showing on mine. I have gone very bloody fast and it's like it's on rails. That speed you haven't cracked yet? Change the zero's to threes.

The GRiSO has a wheelbase a mile long and lots of rake and trail. Stability isn't an issue!

Pete

Re: dropping an inch

That's a pretty radical one step adjustment. I would say do one line at a time and see how you like it.

another critical issue with me getting my steering feel good was settling on a happy tire pressure.
I usually do 33 lbs psi. 33 or 34.
and then the rear 3 lbs more.
I DEFINITELY do not like less than the 33 lbs front.

DM

I have three rings showing (factory setting I think). I'd love a faster turn in for sure.

All I have is a front wheel chalk for my bike. I'm going to need some kind of support hoist to do this right, correct?

NO! You can do it on the side stand.
If you loosen the triple clamp bolts for just one fork at a time, you can wiggle the fork leg up a line or two. THEN TIGHTEN THE BOLTS BEFORE YOU DO THE OTHER FORK.

Caution! Don't loosen all the bolts right off, back one out till loose then nip it up a tad - then the next.
With a little bit of friction it prevents the fork from moving too far, too quick.

Well that was easy! Thanks for the advise!

To be honest, the top triple bolts, and top two of the lower triple bolts may have been at 5-7 n-m. That seemed awfully low.

What are the torque specs?

Birch wrote:

To be honest, the top triple bolts, and top two of the lower triple bolts may have been at 5-7 n-m.  That seemed awfully low.

What are the torque specs?

The GRiSO Torque Specs are listed in the Pegged topic at the top of this forum.

(Moved this topic to GRiSOlogy which is better suited.)

Thanks, Steak.

I need to read with pictures cause in not sure of the names they are using with the corresponding parts.