How to lower front fork height?

[barryh]

Depends how much you need to lower it but If not too much I'd start from first principles and measure laden sag to make sure the suspension is correct for your wife's weight. If there is not the desired 30-33% laden sag on the forks you have potential right there to lower the front end by removing pre-load spacers or lowering the spring rate and you would be keeping within design intent by doing this. Same goes for the rear suspension but once you are on the lowest pre-load setting the only option is softer springs. Be careful about using shorter stiffer springs as that might lower unladen ride height but not laden ride height. I'm assuming there one of the issues is getting feet down when the bike is stopped at lights and junctions.

However a lower suspension ride height is achieved it's going to make the bike more of a pig to put on the centre stand so you may want factor a mod in for that.

Failing all that early R65's have the lowest seat height of any of the contemporary Airheads.

[khittner1]

And we're sure your wife would probably be happier with the bike if she's made aware that she's become too light for her airhead's suspension.

[jjwithers]

I can make you a top clamp that will let you slide the fork tubes through the hole if you want.
email me and I can get something going for you.
Right now, this is a /5 top clamp that we made. It will work on other 70's airheads too if you aren't using the instrument gauge bracket.
I hid the pinch bolt under the bracket and it interferes with the gauge bracket.

[Chris in BC]

A possible solution would be trading for a conversion bike: the /2 seat is much lower.

.

Thank you MS,
Funnily enough I have a /2 (not a conversion though) as well as the the 1000's. Will look at a few of the ideas stated above.

I also, am having height problems with a new machine to me, the X-Challenge, with a 37 inch seat height! It is fun though.

[Chris in BC]

[quote="barryh"

Failing all that early R65's have the lowest seat height of any of the contemporary Airheads.[/quote]

Yes, she had an R65 for 20 years, then changed to the R100RT about 5 years ago. The RT is slightly higher and definitely a bit top heavier, and as age increases it is just enough to raise the stress level.