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| Ba-Da-Bing Join Date: Sep 15 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 37
Posts: 1,097
| Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Submitted by: cbr99xx Why do this? A couple of reasons, raising the rear ride height gives you more ground clearance and increases rake. The increased rake makes the bike turn more quickly. I tour on my XX with Givis loaded down this, combined with a rider weight of 225 lbs, made my bike “slap-happy”. Adding rear ride height is the cure. Why can’t I raise the rear even more to make it turn quicker still? Be my guest… But remember that as you increase rake you reduce trail. If trail is reduced too much, instability will become an issue. Here is how I shimmed the rear shock on my Blackbird. Step 1) Set bike up with center stand on top of a ¾” thick piece of wood. Center on board.JPG Step 2) Remove seat. Step 3) Unbolt two bolts at the rear of the gas tank and raise the tank. I used a screwdriver to prop up the tank, you can use the wrench in the stock tool pouch (but who wants to put that puzzle back together). Lift%20tank.JPG Step 4) Loosen the shock mounting bolt (17mm), you will see the nut you are to loosen as soon as you raise the tank. Top nut.JPGSpace.JPG Step 5) Install shims on top of the shock mounting clevis. * * I am using shims purchased at a local hardware store, the slot measures 3/8” and they were labeled 1/8” thick. When I stacked the two shims together I came up with 6mm. Shims.JPGShim thk.JPGShims in place.JPG Step 6) Tighten shock mounting bolt (41 ft lbs). Step 7) Bolt tank back down. Step 8) Install seat. Step 9) Go ride! I should note that this drops the wheel down ¾”-1” at the axel. You will notice this the first time you put the bike up on the center stand. You will still be able to spin the rear wheel but if you are on the slightest incline the rear tire will touch down. Clearance.JPG ** A 190/50 tire is mounted in the ground clearance picture, clearance for the stock 180/55 will be slightly different. This has to be the single best mod I have ever done to a bike. The shims cost .67 each and took all of 30 minutes to install. The increased agility is amazing; my XX had the tendency to run wide at exit (in part due to my Corbin seat allowing me to sit further back from the bars)... Now, with more weight over the front, this has gone away. I believe that when the proper 180/55 tire is installed on the rear, handling will be even better. | |
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| | #2 |
| Join Date: Nov 07 2006 Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 71
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
I did the same thing, only I had to remove the resorvoir bolt to let the shock drop down enough to clear the frame. Also, I used steel washers from a hardware store instead of shims. This is the reason for needing to drop the bolt all the way through the frame. I just felt better with washers, knowing they can't go anywhere.
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| | #3 |
| Join Date: Nov 24 2006 Location: Phoenix Az
Posts: 125
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
I shimmed my bird the 1st week I owned it, bike steered like a tank compared to my last bike. I used a 6mm shim, after you torque the nut down I don't see how the shims could come out. Now I'm waiting on a set of VFR handle bars & might put on a rair of Buell Ulyssus footpegs Lower pegs, a different idea - Public Discussion Forums. |
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| | #4 |
| Join Date: Oct 23 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 5
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Thanks guys. My techo installed a 6mm washer and the bike is transformed. With weight on the back (Givi type topbox and throw over saddle bags - total weight 60+ Kg), originally the bike waggled the bars under fairly ordinary acceleration. Now she just drives hard, unless I try too hard then the bars give a warning wiggle and settle down. Put in RaceTech 1.0 kg front springs at the same time. 60 kmh signed corners are despatched at 2X posted speed advisory without any effort. Nearly as good as my ex 954 'Blade. On worn OEM Bridgestones. Have since fitted Metzler Sportec M3 F/R - even better - now any wiggles are from the shortened trail. Haven't worked out what that is yet - math is p*** p***. Factory measurements from English mags say 99mm trail/25 degree rake on OEM tyres. Any way - the bike has no problem keeping up with shorter wheelbase sports bikes - combination of improved handling and much more confidence hitting the throttle more assertively. Try it - you'll like it!!!
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| | #5 | |
| Join Date: Nov 07 2006 Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 71
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX Quote:
As for the lowering pegs, Dave on the .org site had lowering brackets machined. It uses all the factory stuff, with no mods so they can be returned to stock if need be. Should be getting them in the mail real soon. I'll keep you posted on how they work out. I have a 36" inseam, so I get a little cramped when riding 400+ miles in a day. | |
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| | #6 |
| Moderator Join Date: Nov 12 2006 Location: Medford, NY Age: 40
Posts: 1,904
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Seems like a very effective mod. Is there a limit to how much you can shim it? For example, can you go 10mm?
__________________ -Paul |
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| | #7 |
| Join Date: Nov 07 2006 Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 71
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
If you shim it too much, your rake is too much. You start to lose handling and the steering becomes too touchy.
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| | #8 |
| www.blackbirdownersclub.e u Join Date: Nov 14 2006 Location: Lisse/Doetinchem The Netherlands Age: 52
Posts: 241
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
My experience is 3 mm. I tried 6 mm but the steering didn't improve much compared to the 3 mm. The ache in the wrists though doubled by this 6 mm. For 2 months ago I decided to install Hyperpro springs front and rear. The difference is huge. Steady as a rock. Braking is better, steeriing is better. The washer is a cheap and effective way to improve your BB but it is not to compare with the Hyperpro springs. It cost me 210 euro's for the springs and another 100 to mount them. They also lower your forks bij 5 mm. I would strongly recommend it to everyone. You'll be surprised by the improvement. You get an new BB. Last edited by YO-XX; 12-06-2006 at 8:31 AM. |
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| | #9 |
| Join Date: Oct 23 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 5
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Hi guy. Thanks for that input. Have used Racetech springs 1.0kg. They have tightened up the front considerably. The rear shock may be 'binned' in favour of something more adjustable when it finally cries 'enough'. Will look at something like WP, Maxton, Ohlins (sigh) or Hagon. Open minded on this tho' as these brands are premium in Australia. Thought crossed my mind to use FireBlade 919 RWU fork lowers and internals to get some adjustability in the front. As an aside - have fitted Metzler Sportec M3 tyres which seem to be very good after 1000 Kms. My suspension guru's here in Perth WA recommend 38 psi (max) in the front and 40 - 42 psi rear depending on the load. Have used 36 - 37 psi in the front which always seems to run hotter that the rear. Revised geometry appears to be loading the front tyre more than standard OEM fitment. Compound has a lot to do with it too, I guess. Anyway - for those interested, the M3's seem to be doin' a fine job. |
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| | #10 | |
| Join Date: Nov 24 2006 Location: Phoenix Az
Posts: 125
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX Quote:
The only problem is when the bike is on the center stand both tire are on the ground, when I push down on the bars the rear tire is slightly off the ground. | |
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| | #11 |
| Join Date: Nov 24 2006 Location: Greensboro, NC Age: 45
Posts: 441
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Conqsoft, thanks for the write up!
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| | #12 |
| Join Date: Oct 23 2006 Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 5
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Went for a very, very fast ride this Sunday gone. BB passed, equalled or beat the following: Aprilia Tuono, Moto Guzzi V11 Sports (Capo Italiano paint - lovely), MV Augusta 750 Brutale, CBR1000RR, XJR 1300. Whoa girl - 38/38 psi F/R. Head shake came back at lower pressures in rear tyre. Ideal general purpose pressures seem to be 38/40 psi F/R respectively. Regarding Rake angle at the front Slinger. The BB does steer as good or better than the bikes mentioned above - I reckon the trail makes the sensation of instability more apparent. Flip flop corners are a delight now compared to previously when the stability of the bike caused great amounts of sweat forcing the BB to turn as quickly as I like. I guess it all boils down to the types of roads we ride, the speed at which we ride them and the quickness of the steering that we want. The roads above were twisty, some very slow corners (posted 30 kmh speeds), mixed with fast, never ending corners mixed in - a scratcher's delight. Even with the head shake under hard acceleration out of any corner the BB felt stable and never felt beyond my ability to recover from rider error. 6mm washer/spacer/shim in the rear, 1 Kg springs and less airgap at the front - whatever - the BB does it for me!!! Oh - age is on the wrong side of 55. I shouldn't be doing this sort of thing - NOT!!! trying to last as long in years as the speed I travel at - BB's rock!!
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| | #13 |
| Blackbirdista Join Date: Oct 25 2006 Location: Italy Age: 37
Posts: 151
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
This headshake thing you're all talking about, is that only under super hard acceleration out of a corner (+7 and slam it)? Cuz, I haven't seen it yet and... well... don't really want to.
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| | #14 |
| Join Date: Feb 27 2007 Location: Dania Beach, FL
Posts: 1
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX were can i buy some shims |
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| | #15 |
| What cop?? Join Date: Jan 24 2007 Location: Edgewater, FL, USA Age: 40
Posts: 1,859
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX Jaws Motorcycles and Motorcycle parts supplies Here ya go, he's on the forum also. Glad to see another FL XX
__________________ Mike 02 Silver Bird I'm a Yamaha tech., that's why I ride a Honda |
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| | #16 |
| Vendor | Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Dania Beach ??? You must have bought the Bird from Tony ? I live just off Hwy 84 east of 95 in River Oaks Sorry flying out tomorrow 0600 to Las Vegas for 9 days, but will be back the weekend of the 31st. Will have to hook up for a ride. |
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| | #17 |
| Join Date: May 12 2007 Location: adelaide south australia
Posts: 40
| shims
i placed a 6mm shim on my rear shock and raised the bike, shortening the wheel base handles beautiful now the only problem was wasnt happy with the way centre stand was so close the rear tyre whist is up position, it also looked out of place so i removed it looks much better. But thanks to the guys who gave the info, i ended up making my own shim from a 6mm angle bracket works well |
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| | #18 |
| Join Date: May 12 2007 Location: adelaide south australia
Posts: 40
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
did anyone remove the centre stand when installed shims, it was a little to close to the rear wheel for me, bike looks better with out it
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| | #19 |
| Join Date: Nov 25 2006 Location: BC Canada
Posts: 4,433
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
I prefer Penske |
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| | #20 |
| Join Date: May 02 2007 Location: sussex nj
Posts: 228
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
i did my shock shim about 18 monts ago gott it from jaws its 6mm and noticed a differance i also had to remove coolant resivor turns great tracking is on the money
__________________ hard to steer when the devils driving,brakes who needs em they only slow you down NOW ROCK ME UP TO 135!! |
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| | #21 |
| Vendor | Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
I will have a few ride height spacers when I get back home from Jaws, the end of this week. John |
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| | #22 |
| Join Date: Mar 19 2007 Location: Boston, MA Age: 41
Posts: 33
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
I'm planning to do this soon but I wanted to see if there was any other feedback regarding the changes to the ergonomics. I already have issues with the weight on my wrists in stock form when I sit more upright. Will this mod exacerbate that? There's also the problem of sliding toward the tank while braking when there's a passenger on the back. I guess my question is; Is there a noticeable difference in the angle that you're sitting at with a 6mm spacer above the shock? |
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| | #23 |
| Join Date: May 09 2007 Location: Middle Tennessee Age: 51
Posts: 245
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
I did mine this morning. Took 2 flat washers totaling 6mm thickness and milled out the holes so they were slots. Rode it in tonight. The seating position is the first thing I noticed and from my short drive it seems to handle better. Took about 30-40 minutes start to finish.
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| | #24 |
| Join Date: May 12 2007 Location: adelaide south australia
Posts: 40
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
i didnt have any problems with my wrists, but before the mod they used to ach a little after long rides. I would recomend the mod to anyone riding a blackbird, handling is great, holds the line excellent and can power on more coming out of the corners, honestly it has changed the bike 100%. |
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| | #25 |
| Join Date: May 16 2007 Location: ca
Posts: 35
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Hey guys will this mod still be good for a bird that doesnt use bags...if so can it be done with a swing arm stand? thanks |
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| | #26 |
| Ba-Da-Bing Join Date: Sep 15 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 37
Posts: 1,097
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
No, the swingarm has to be free, that's why you need to use the center stand as described.
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| | #27 |
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......i payed 1.200 euros+installation for my ohlins rear shock and it doeshnt have height adjustment...argggggghhhh.... ![]() ....the riidiculus thing is that the old f**** up stock showa had an adjustable botton end washer for more than 6mm.... | |
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| | #28 |
| Join Date: Jun 22 2007 Location: WA State
Posts: 19
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
Will this mod lower the back wheel too much to use a fork stand combined with the center stand? I am wondering if there is enough clearance to remove both wheels at the same time.
Last edited by gtmule; 06-26-2007 at 7:25 PM. |
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| | #29 |
| Ba-Da-Bing Join Date: Sep 15 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Age: 37
Posts: 1,097
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX
See the last picture and the note below it.
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| | #30 | |
| Re: Increasing the ride height on a Honda CBR 1100XX Quote:
Have a friend help you, and just use a floor jack with a 8" x8" piece of plywood under the rear of your oil pan. Don't lift the bike until you have loosened the shock bolt all the way. Then, while your friend supports the bike lift it just enough with the floor jack to slip in your 2 shims.
__________________ Call me "Captain Mudbucket". | ||
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