lowering 71 forks

regjohn · Full Member Joined: Sep 08, 2008 Posts: 19

hey all,

just bought a 71 xs650 and im wondering how to lower the font end.. i know on the later models you an slide the forks into the the tree's farther but on my 71 forks thats not the case. correct? if you know the answer you know what im talking about. i have not taken anything apart so im just looking for a heads up.

thanks.

BigGeorge · Full Member Joined: Apr 13, 2008 Posts: 267

Well I would think that you could disassemble the fork tubes and have them cut down on a lathe or you could find a later model complete front end trees and all on e-bay or craigs list and then you would have the option of keeping your original front end if ever you wanted to go back to stock. On Harleys you can buy 1" or 2" shorter progressively wound springs that allows the tube to slide lower in the fork leg but I dont know if these springs are available for yamahas..................BG

regjohn · Full Member Joined: Sep 08, 2008 Posts: 19

Im just wondering how to drop the sanctions out of the lower fork legs on these early forks, iv heard its a 17mm or an allen key. if so what size alen. it looks like i have to cut the sanctions down to lower it the amount I want to. the springs are out and it needs to come down an inch for travel.

thanks.

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