donlon

I just ordered some XX stuff from jaws, including the 6 mm spacer.

Is there any negative sideeffects on riding with this thing on ???

I have read that some had high speed riding problems with it, anyone heard of this ???

How about the sidestand ...will the bike lean down more with the spacer ??

/John

CanadianBird

Can't answer but I have been thinking about this. Has anyone installed a 6mm spacer on top of a Penske or Olhins?

tonyz

what's the purpose of this spacer?
t.

KiwiBird

Here's a mini-procedure I wrote ages ago. It's the best modification you can do to a Blackbird as handling and rate of turn-in are transformed without sacrificing stability. I've had mine on for 4 or 5 years. This is for a standard shock. Whether you need one for an after-market one depends on its dimensions. With respect to the side stand, the bike doesn't lean appreciably more. the only thing is that the rear tyre may brush the ground when it is on the centre stand depending on tyre profile or wear. This is no big deal.

Cheers,

Geoff

Attached Files

Fitting a ride height spacer to a Honda Blackbird.pdf (106.0 KB, 184 views)

IrishXX

I'm running a 4mm spacer and found it easier to live with than the 6mm on a daily basis.

Better handling without sacraficing stability or centre stand clearance IMO.

But the mod is definately worth doing regardless what size spacer you use!

monsieurnet

I have put a shim stack under, you can get the shims from any auto parts store. They are body panel shims.
I have not tried it yet, but want to know why 4 not 6? why 6 not 4?
is there a loss of stability.

Canadian Bird if you want I have 2 shims sitting here on my desk ( I had to buy a minimum quantity)
if you want to try them out, let me know, I will send them to you via snail mail.
each is 3mm.
Mnet.

Venus97

I have the 6mm shim, probably the easiest and cheapest thing one could do to improve the handling of the XX. It lets it turn in much easier.

I have not noticed any difference in high speed handling, but I've only had mine up to 115 since installing it.

I have not noticed anything negative since installing it.

Banshee

Over the years, people have tried many variations, 6mm is the point of diminishing returns. Basically, up to 6mm, the improvement is substantial, beyond 6mm there is no further noticable improvement.

IrishXX

As said, 6mm seems to be the consensus as the point where high speed stability is noticable affected.

At 6mm, i found the rear wheel touched down on the centrestand and it felt a bit flighty IMO.
4mm was a happy medium for me!

But it is all down to the individual, some think the stock handling is fast enough while other thinks it heavy footed with the 6mm spacer installed.

The great thing about the mod is you can try out a particular size, if you don't like it, you can increase or decrease it.

flblackbird

6mm as well & I've had mine 160+mph w\no ill handling effects

__________________
Mike
02 Silver Bird

CanadianBird

Thanks, Montreal, I'll just leave her as it.

RodeRash

Why bother? Aftermarket shocks are adjustable for length, which makes the spacer unnecessary.

ccriderXX

My Ohlins is not adjustable for length that I know of. It does have a spring preload adjuster though. I shimmed mine.

RodeRash

My mistake. Penske shocks are adjustable for length. You Ohlins guys need to add a shim.

jjmcjames

I made a 6mm shim and installed it along with new Hyper Pro fork springs and rear spring. The lean angle with the sidestand was too severe so I welded a block on the bottom of the sidestand. Handling was improved for me, although the rear tire will touch the ground with the spacer. The shim is easy to swap or remove.

TWEET

I have a 6mm spacer on stock shock and it is rock solid all the way to indicated 300km/h even for extended periods. I notice hardly any increase in lean when on the sidestand, that is of course unless you lean it on a downhill slope.
The rear tyre will touch the ground only when new whilst on the centrestand.

__________________
"Clear For Takeoff"

benwhite81

Where can i get one of these marvellous shims in australia folks?

OMG

The local hardware store is the first place to start. The local Ace hardware has a spacer that is close enough to 6mm ,square shape, open slot, took all of 15 min. to install. Loosen the shock nut, slip the spacer in and tighten. By all means, check the nut once in a while.

Banshee

Or Bunnings etc, for a 10mm washer, just stack enough to get to 6mm.

Nutter67

I had placed an order with Jaws for rad guards, fenda extenda, etc. I ordered a spacer at the same time. It cost a couple of bucks, but postage was covered with the other items.

__________________
Paul

Never let a motorcycle take you somewhere your brain didn't get to three seconds earlier