More ground clearance

NorwegianXS · Posted: May 1, 2009, 2:57 pm Post subject: More ground clearance

I need more groundclearence.

It's the best option longer rear shocks.
I consider going classic racing whit my XS.

ady66 · Posted: May 1, 2009, 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

Longer shocks will give more clearance but there's a limit. I had some that were 360 mm eye to eye which worked great for clearance and ride height but had problems with the chain clearing the top of the swingarm (I tried with a rubber pad to prevent metal to metal contact but it didn't feel comfortable). Sprockets also make a difference to clearance (I had 18T front). I changed them for 330 mm shocks which work fine.

Good luck with the racing!

Ady

s008ess · Full Member Joined: Apr 09, 2009 Posts: 48 Location: Ohio

Well, is it lower than stock already? It could be that your current fork springs are just worn out and need replaced. You will have to provide a little more detail with what you are working with... A picture or 2 never hurts either. Just my .02 worth...

xs1961 · Posted: May 1, 2009, 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

Yep, its that ruddy chain-on-the-swinging-arm issue..did once see an adapted chain tensioner rigged to the top of the swinging-arm on an XS , it seemed as if it was doing the job ..

NorwegianXS · Posted: May 1, 2009, 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

Got now pictures at the moment. It's all in bits and pices at the moment.

I've ridden the bike stock. with new ikon rear shocks (standard lenght).
The fork springs are on the soft side.

I have been looking at Falcon rearshocks,
but i am not sure about the lenght.

Have not decided what i will do with the fork.
I've got a Cerani 38mm fork lying around, but i would like to use the original one.

XS919 · Posted: May 19, 2009, 10:45 pm Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

I put longer Koni shocks on the back of mine. I think they were about 25mm longer than the originals.

You might also look at a few other mods to gain some clearance. The main things that that use to grind for me was the side stand mount and the exhaust. I cut the original side stand and center stand mounts off the frame and made a new side stand mount with more clearance.

The exhaust I routed under the motor inside the lower frame rails.

If I'm grinding something now it'll probably be the engine cases as the bike slides past me in a shower of sparks.

Cheers

ichael

XS919 · Posted: May 19, 2009, 10:49 pm Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

xs1961 wrote:

Yep, its that ruddy chain-on-the-swinging-arm issue..did once see an adapted chain tensioner rigged to the top of the swinging-arm on an XS , it seemed as if it was doing the job ..

I solved the chain on swing arm issue by machining up a nylon sleve that slips over the swin arm pivot before you install the swing arm.

I'm using a larger front sprocket 17T from memory and a small rear sprocket but the chain doesn't run on the pivot. The nylon sleeve is there just to protect the pivot as the chain bounces up and down.

I'll try to pull the bike out on the weekend to take a couple of pictures.

Cheers

ichael

dwyatt · Posted: May 20, 2009, 3:48 am Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

I needed to raise her arse quite a bit to improve turning as well as to increase ground clearance for a track bike. I went radical ole skool on the rear suspension to get what I wanted, but as you mentioned, there's the chain slack/drag issue to deal with. I added a chain tensioner to keep the excess slack required for the new pivot length under control - don't want that chain popping off at 120 mph! It has an 18 tooth front sprocket on, which helps with chain height, I also used a nylon rub pad on the swingarm, but not really happy with what I used. Where did you get the swingarm cover you used?

XS919 · Posted: May 20, 2009, 5:40 am Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

I machined up the nylon sleeve out of some bar stock in the lathe. It's pretty easy to machine providing your tooling is sharp.

I'll pull the bike out on the weekend and take some pics.

Cheers

ichael

yamaman · Posted: May 20, 2009, 7:44 am Post subject: Re: More ground clearance

Frame rails are the first thing on the deck for me (if I remember to pull my toes in first). foot pegs, exhaust & stands are the issue!

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650