Lowering the Bike

[Memeisshort]

Hey guys,

I'm new here and new to riding as well. I'd like to lower my bike by an inch or 2 so I can comfortably ride it as a newer rider (I'm quite short, 5'2).

I've been doing some reading about replacing the shocks with smaller ones, any recommendations on how small or is there a better way to go about lowering the bike?
I have a friend who is very mechanically inclined coming to help me out!

Any kind of advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated,
thank you!

 

[JPaganel]

I've done this for my wife.

I would say to limit the actual lowering to 1 inch. You can do this by installing shorter shocks in the rear and sliding the forks up in the triple trees. Lower more than that, and you might start having some issues. Also, a 1 inch drop lets you use the kickstand as is. These bikes lean a bit too much anyway.

If that doesn't do it for you, look into modifying the seat. You can make it lower by a couple of inches easy, without sacrificing too much cushion. Also, it might be possible to make it a bit narrower, which also helps. That's what I did.

 

[bafana445]

ok good

 

[WhiskeyHusky]

I've done this for my wife.

I would say to limit the actual lowering to 1 inch. You can do this by installing shorter shocks in the rear and sliding the forks up in the triple trees. Lower more than that, and you might start having some issues. Also, a 1 inch drop lets you use the kickstand as is. These bikes lean a bit too much anyway.

If that doesn't do it for you, look into modifying the seat. You can make it lower by a couple of inches easy, without sacrificing too much cushion. Also, it might be possible to make it a bit narrower, which also helps. That's what I did.

Actually the same height as the OP, and new to riding too as I just got my 1980 today and realized the thing helping me were mainly my steel toed boots. Appreciating all of this, but if it’s not too much to ask, where is a good place to start when shopping for shocks? Already looked at some new seats from Ebay, but advise on that or modifying an existing seat would be amazing.

 

[JPaganel]

where is a good place to start when shopping for shocks?

I don't really remember where I got mine. eBay, probably.

The only problem there is that it is full of cheap Chinese ones. Some of them work fine, but they don't last as long, and you can't trust their listings. They just dump every bike name into them, regardless if the shock fits or not. You have to go by size.

I have had good luck with YSS on my other bikes, so maybe try them?

Already looked at some new seats from Ebay, but advise on that or modifying an existing seat would be amazing.

If you are going to modify it yourself, you are going to have to learn a couple of new skills.

You can try looking up an upholstery shop in your area that will do it. They will do a neater job than a first-timer. Most places that do bike seats will reshape them for you.

 

[WhiskeyHusky]

The seat is so nice I don’t think I will, or will have to, replace it. I bought 11in chrome shocks off of Milesxs and they fit after a little bit of pressing, pulling and tampering which means my feet now are leveled. (Though I’ll probably try getting riding boots too)

 

[JPaganel]

The seat is so nice I don’t think I will, or will have to, replace it. I bought 11in chrome shocks off of Milesxs and they fit after a little bit of pressing, pulling and tampering which means my feet now are leveled. (Though I’ll probably try getting riding boots too)

Nice.

Make sure you slide the fork legs up to match. If you only do the front or the back, it changes geometry, which affects how it steers.