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Cruiser
Posts: 73
Nor Cali | Anyone lowered their Vision? I'm thinking of lowering 1" and wondering just how much that would affect my lean capability in the twisties.
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
| Going to do it soon too. I'm going to lower the front about a 3/4" by sliding the fork tubes down the triple clamps and not sure about the back yet. My Mechanic said he can cut and re-weld the arm for 2 hours labor or I will buy the lowering kit from one of our vendors. Going 1" in the back. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 73
Nor Cali | Hmmm, not a simple case of changing "Bones" to lower the rear?
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| It is much easier, IMHO, to buy the 8-ball seat which is 1"lower and doesn't mess with the suspension..You call also buy the 8-ball rear shock, a little costly although, and lower the bike another 1" without hurting much...Rear shock travel is less, but unless your riding is two-up with lots of luggage you should not notice much difference...Some, like me, prefer the 8-ball seat because it has better lower back support....... |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Illinois | HMD520 has a great lowering kit, easy to install and 1" makes a big difference- I had mine lowered about 6 months ago and highly recommend it! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i cant speak for how it would effect a vision. but when i lowered one of my other bikes in the rear by 1 inch (changed the shock) it scraped all the time and almost caused me to have a accident.. but like i said, that was Not on a vision. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 73
Nor Cali | Yeah, I went down to Corbin and had a seat made...Freakin' comfortable...then I realized, Hey...it's taller, I'm up on my toes a little when stopping. Crikie, I'm 5'9"...vertically challenged!! Haaa. I replaced my Vision 8 Ball seat with it so I'm thinking I need at least another inch to bring it down a little. The Corbin also sits me back a little...much more relaxed position. So if the Vision 8 Ball shock will bring be down a inch and I can lower a inch to boot, that sounds good. I'm 1 up 99.9% of the time so weight shouldn't be a issue...just some occasional luggage when going on weekend trips. The shock sound good cause that should lower the body without lowering the frame. I don't want to loose any lean angle in the twisties.
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Cruiser
Posts: 73
Nor Cali | Whoops, sorry...I misread that info on the 8 Ball Shock. I already have a 8 Ball. I misread that I could lower the height of the 8 Ball shock by a inch...not the case.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | Redd, if you already have an 8 Ball you are 2 inches lower than the Vision Tour. You get one inch from the seat, and one inch from a shorter shock in the rear. And you want to go LOWER? I wouldn't, but to each his own. I have an 8 Ball and the seat height is 24 inches. Low enough. Any more and I'll be scraping makin any turns at all. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 49
| I had mine lowered 2" in back 1.5" in front (from www.hmd520.com)and put a Ness seat which makes total 3" lower in back. I am 5'7" tall. Feels like a sport tour. I can lean into twisties feelin better than ever, with no problem. I do have to be careful over speed bumps. The bike feels way better balanced to me being 5'7'' 175lbs. of rock hard muscle. I had to alter the inner bags so they won't scrape. Also put case protector and lower kickstand. If doing 1" you don't have to do anything with inner bags, I would suggest lower kickstand and possible case protector for motor.
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I lowered mine one inch. Yes now and them I scrap but then I'm leaning really good having fun.
When I lowered the bike I just cut my link rod and add more air to the shock. No Bottoming.
You will have to get a shorter kick stand cause the bike will stand to straight up an down.
http://www.hmd520.com/category/HMD-PARTS-1 |
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Cruiser
Posts: 73
Nor Cali | I had a new Corbin saddle made and it's a little high...even with the 8 Ball lower shock. I'm thinking all I need is 1/2" to 1" to be flat footed at stops. The Corbin saddle I had made is so incredibly comfortable I need to get this done. I'm also playing with the idea of resoling my boots and adding 1/2 inch to the sole and heel.
Edited by Redd 2012-03-04 6:55 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 232
| My bike kick stand is already to short bike lean almost 3 to 4'' over now anyway of getting a longer stand? 2011 vision tour pearl wht. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
| I've tried calling HMD520 several times and left a message. Emailed him and no reply so I gave up on his kit. Can't say I didn't try to give a pass Maui boy the business. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 96
Princeton, IL | I lowered my Vision 1" and love it. I will tell you that early last year I hit a pot hole and broke the inside of the bags and shaved a chunk out of my belt. I was fine for a year until I hit the pothole-it was a mutha! I made my own rear link and installed it. I love it. I put the bag insert in mine and lowered it another inch. I am 5'9" but I just love the feel. I lowered the front 1.5" as well. I used to ride sport bikes so I love to dig her into the corner, I don't feel like I lost a lot of lean angle. The suspension still feels the same to me as well, I kept the same shock. A friend of mine has a Ness Vision, and when he met Arlen, Arlen told him to lower it another inch and then watch the bike come alive, in my opinion, it did. Oh yeah, I also have a lowered seat. I did all the work my self, it was fairly easy-it all boils down to personal choice. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 96
Princeton, IL | I am surprise at the comment about HMD, I have talked to Mike several times and have always gotten excellent service.
Ps- I lived in Hawaii for 4 years while in he service. That is where I had my sportbikes. That is the most beautiful place on earth as far as I am concerned.
Edited by SammyJ 2012-03-05 9:06 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 73
Nor Cali | SammyJ - 2012-03-05 7:03 AM I am surprise at the comment about HMD, I have talked to Mike several times and have always gotten excellent service. Ps- I lived in Hawaii for 4 years while in he service. That is where I had my sportbikes. That is the most beautiful place on earth as far as I am concerned. I sent him a email yesterday and got an answer this morning...seems to be right on. Re: your lowering...You riding a standard Vision or a 8 Ball? I have a 8 Ball already and that's why I'm asking about the lowering and lean angle if lowered another inch.
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Cruiser
Posts: 96
Princeton, IL | I have the standard model and have lowered it a total of slightly over 2 inches in the rear and 1.5 in the front. Glad to hear you got in touch with Mike. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
| Sammy
How did you make your own? for the rear, does the rear wheel have to come off etc? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 96
Princeton, IL | I modified my stock link so I could adjust its length about 1/2", which equals about 1" ride height. The job was fairly easy. I used the service manual for step by step instructions to remove the link. Someone on this site has a picture of one modified like I did mine. I will try to find it and post the link. If you are really interested, I have pics and lessons learned I can pm you. I am boarding a plane for Mexico in about 10 minutes but I will get back to you next week if you need me to.
Edited by SammyJ 2012-03-05 11:03 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 96
Princeton, IL | Hawaii - try this.
http://www.vision-riders.com/articles.asp?article=16671
I did not remove the rear wheel, but I did remove the lower link and shock bolts and jacked up the bike for easier access to the block off plate in front of the rear wheel. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| You don't have touch the shock bolts what so ever. As far as adjustable thread don't bother. Just cut the rod and re weld. Like the man said 1/2" equals 1" |
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Cruiser
Posts: 73
Nor Cali | After reading all these responses...and thanks to all...I'm not gonna lower my Vision 8 Ball. I'm going with the Burt Reynolds look instead. Dropped my boots off at the Cobbler...having 1/2" added to the soles and heels. That outta do the trick, and it's allot cheaper.
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Cruiser
Posts: 66
Delray Beach, FL United States | <p>Am I the only tall guy here? Wow I would love to raise my ride about an inch! then don't have to worry about anything in a parking lot!! Just saying</p><p> </p> |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| Redd...Good thinking....I am also barely 5'9" and had some issues with my Vision Tour's seat height..It was almost fine until I dumped it two times the first year...Thanks to the great Tip-over guards, no damage to bike at all...I went to the 8-ball seat and to the shoemaker and had 1/2" heels and soles added to my boots for $65 and "whalla"....No problems with getting both feet down solid at stops and the 8-ball seat is great for me...Just as comfortable as the stock seat and much better lower back support IMHO...... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Tucson , AZ | hawaii - 2012-03-04 10:17 PM
I've tried calling HMD520 several times and left a message. Emailed him and no reply so I gave up on his kit. Can't say I didn't try to give a pass Maui boy the business.
Sorry if i missed your call.. I have never had a call from Hawaii in my missed calls? I will be glad to answer any questions about the parts you may have. If you are still interested ... i would be glad to help you out.
Just let me know. Sorry we missed each other. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| Okay, so those of you who have lowered the front of your Vision, what process did you use to access the upper pinch bolts? I can't see how a ratchet and 6mm allen will fit in there. Are you just using an allen key? Coming in from the top around the console, or pulling the wheel and fender, and reaching up from underneath?
Thanks! |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Turk
First off go back in your pro file and add your year of bike and then where you live.
You have to turn the front end and you can get some clearance to loosen the bolts. You don't have to pull any thing just work at it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| There is only one way to lower the stock Vision and that is by replacing the stock shock & strut with the shock and strut off the 8-Ball. You can also order up the springs, spacers, etc for the fork lowering.
Now I'm SURE someone is gonna tell me I'm wrong, so let me clarify. Yes you can cut some of the strut off and reweld, you can order an aftermarket strut with adjustable threads BUT and this is HUGE..... You will sacrifice suspension control, and compromise the shock and strut pivot bearings. Hit a big enough bump and you can sheer it right off. I won't even mention how bad the rear suspension feels after lowering it improperly.
Call me silly but one of the BEST attributes of the Vision is the smooth suspension, compliments of the innovative design of the rear suspension.
Oh and yes I was one of the first to swap my Vision over to a lowered rear strut, adjustable one, and it was back off the bike in a week.
JMO |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| john frey - 2012-03-28 5:49 PM
Turk
First off go back in your pro file and add your year of bike and then where you live.
You have to turn the front end and you can get some clearance to loosen the bolts. You don't have to pull any thing just work at it.
My bike specs were always in there.. not sure why you can't see it at the bottom. As for my location, I choose not to put that in....
You still haven't said what tools you used and whether you came in from the top or bottom.
At this point, I'm thinking about trying to find an extra long 6mm combination wrench, and cutting off a 1/2" long section of a 6mm allen key, and just putting that little 6mm piece in the bolt, and sliding the box end of the wrench over the exposed section. As I mentioned above, my 3/8" drive ratchet and 6mm allen socket will NOT fit in there.... no way, no how...
Edited by Turk 2012-03-29 11:12 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| Teach - 2012-03-28 7:18 PM
There is only one way to lower the stock Vision and that is by replacing the stock shock & strut with the shock and strut off the 8-Ball. You can also order up the springs, spacers, etc for the fork lowering.
Now I'm SURE someone is gonna tell me I'm wrong, so let me clarify. Yes you can cut some of the strut off and reweld, you can order an aftermarket strut with adjustable threads BUT and this is HUGE..... You will sacrifice suspension control, and compromise the shock and strut pivot bearings. Hit a big enough bump and you can sheer it right off. I won't even mention how bad the rear suspension feels after lowering it improperly.
Call me silly but one of the BEST attributes of the Vision is the smooth suspension, compliments of the innovative design of the rear suspension.
Oh and yes I was one of the first to swap my Vision over to a lowered rear strut, adjustable one, and it was back off the bike in a week.
JMO
Thank you for sharing your opinion, but that doesn't address my question, which is how to access the upper pinch bolts so I can bottom out my fork tubes in the triple trees?
With my 2011 Vision (clearly stated in my signature line), I know I will only get about a 3/8" drop in the front. I already have the solid HMD replacement strut for the rear, so that is not an issue. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I would remove the front wheel, and loosen the pinch bolts, there are 6 of them. Push the tubes up, tighten bolts, reassymble. Every thing is visible. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| varyder - 2012-03-29 12:13 PM
I would remove the front wheel, and loosen the pinch bolts, there are 6 of them. Push the tubes up, tighten bolts, reassymble. Every thing is visible.
Thank you. I ended up going to the HW store and finding a long 6mm allen key..... cut down the short side a little, and it seems like I won't have any issue accessing that top pinch bolt through the top of the bike next to the console.
Lowering the bike an inch with the HMD strut will allow me to keep more air in the shock. Honestly, I think the shock gets more travel (and is slightly more compliant) when there's some air in it, above what the chart says.... It seems counter intuitive, I know. However, even so, my 2011 is still not nearly as compliant a ride as my friend's 09 Vision. I think they upped either the spring rate, or the damping in the later bikes.
Edited by Turk 2012-03-29 1:17 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Turk, sorry I didn't read your question about pinch bolts but was rather replying to the original post.
However to that question. The issue is not air in the shock or lack there of, the issue is the suspension is altered at the lever point requiring a lot more energy to actuate the assy and depress the shock. There are several problems with this scenario but the most obvious is the bearings (there are three at the pivot) were not designed for this type of load.
As I said do as you please, just tossing this out so folks are informed. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 9
| How much ws the total cost IM 5'7 my self and need to get this done the parts come to $777 to do the bag liners must be costly? |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| sorry I missed your asking what wrench I used. I do have a sears 6mm and with a punch you can knock the allen out and with a 3/8" open box end will fit the socket end.
tkleroi
do a search in the tech section you can find out how to lower your bike.
Yes with not enough air in shock I bottomed out on rail road crossing yup cracked the inside bags but with silicon I fixed it. No leaks and with 40psi no more problems.
Teach
the only difference on the rear suspension in Ness has different shock every thing ells is the same. Just so you know |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 26
Philly Pa. | I got the vision 8 ball already lower then the vision but they stop making the vision 8 why I don't know love that lower feeling since I do be a little vertically challenged as to say. guess I have to make this one last till is vision trike time.
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Cruiser
Posts: 54
| Where could a guy find a vision 8 ball seat? will it fit a standard 08 vision without modifications?
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | it will fit a standard 08. I don't know where to get one though. Also, it doesn't have heat. |
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