Subject: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Fri Aug 22, 2014 12:00 am
Anyone used this lowering link? 3/4" drop in height would be good for me. Kick stand would need to be shortend I guess. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Pete Roper GRiSO Capo
Posts : 10692 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 67
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Fri Aug 22, 2014 2:26 am
I'd want some info on what and how this item is machined out of.
There is also the fact that it seems to NOT include bearings and seals. They cost. I recently priced up and supplied a new linkage for someone, (Mark III.) and it cost within a few $ of the bearings and seals without the labour of rebuilding.
There is also the fact that is the wheel travel is the same there will be a very real risk of the tyre scrubbing underneath the seat.
Tread carefully and carry a big stick. There are lots of poorly thought out and manufactured bits out there and some of them ARE downright dangerous!
Pete
beetle GRiSO Capo
Posts : 10189 Join date : 2013-09-30
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Fri Aug 22, 2014 2:49 am
With respect CC, are you a short arse?
The G doesn't have huge clearance to begin with. Huge potential for scrapey scrapey with that lowering kit. I'm wanting to raise mine up a tad.
. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] . In GRiSO we trust! .
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:52 am
Pete Roper wrote:
I'd want some info on what and how this item is machined out of.
There is also the fact that it seems to NOT include bearings and seals. They cost. I recently priced up and supplied a new linkage for someone, (Mark III.) and it cost within a few $ of the bearings and seals without the labour of rebuilding.
There is also the fact that is the wheel travel is the same there will be a very real risk of the tyre scrubbing underneath the seat.
Tread carefully and carry a big stick. There are lots of poorly thought out and manufactured bits out there and some of them ARE downright dangerous!
Pete
Hi Pete, I spoke to them and the unit does come with everything needed to use it. I have it on it's way to me. I have used lowering links on a Yamaha FZ6 with no ill effects. I weigh maybe 170 lbs and ride solo, so most likely no ever bottom or scrape tires. The machine these themselves locally. It's aluminum, not sure what type. I'll have Todd at Guzzi-Tech do the install and make certain it's kosher. Reason for getting is to be able to use a standard seat. I have a cut-down seat on now and it gets a bit hard where the padding is lean. I already have a stock seat to use. Wish me luck.
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:56 pm
Had the link installed today at Motocross Giant, the same folks that installed a link on my FZ6. Stephen is the suspension guru there, so I left it to him to adjust the shock and front. He elected to not drop the forks and see how I liked it with just the rear lowered 3/4" or so. It was late in the day, rush hour, so I just rode it home. The good news I can now get both feet flat on the ground wearing running shoes! The ride was a bit more plush with less stiffness and that's fine with me. He left the kickstand alone and there is still enough lean while parked. If I want the front forks pushed up the clamps to level things, I would need to chop the kickstand a bit. I'll know how it works for me later after I hit the canyons.
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:28 pm
Ok, It's certainly low enough, but you guys were right as usual. Not that much room till ya bottom against the rear fender. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
I've removed the small screws since tis was taken. No need to fuck the tires.
DungeonMaster GRiSO
Posts : 1163 Join date : 2013-11-26 Age : 61
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Mon Sep 01, 2014 9:53 am
I have to shake my head. I have been adjusting my front end height to optimize my steering and you just did the opposite of what I have been doing. I hope you feel good with your steering. It is my Humble Opinion that you need to drop your front to get the front end feel "right" but you are not me.
DM
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:41 am
DungeonMaster wrote:
I have to shake my head. I have been adjusting my front end height to optimize my steering and you just did the opposite of what I have been doing. I hope you feel good with your steering. It is my Humble Opinion that you need to drop your front to get the front end feel "right" but you are not me.
DM
Ha! Never was one to go with the flow. I would lower the front end to match the rear If I could find a used kickstand to shorten. I'm not interested in maximum lean angles or making the little hairs on the back of my neck stand up like the old days. I'm just wanting a fun, safe ride. I may remove the lowering link if I can't get it sorted out and go back to stock.
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:35 am
Anyone have a spare GRiSO kickstand? I'd rather keep my stock one and get another to shorten.
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sat Sep 20, 2014 6:00 pm
I've ordered another stock kickstand from AF1 racing, so I'll be shortening the one I have by around 3/4". That will allow me to push the forks up the trippleclamps a couple marks, and still get enough lean while parked. to be continued......
Steak Godfather
Posts : 3154 Join date : 2013-05-28 Age : 59
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Mon Sep 22, 2014 5:58 am
When you shorten the kickstand, if you re-weld on the "foot" make sure that you orient the tang/plate for maximum ground clearance in the retracted position.
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2012 MOTO GUZZI GRiSO 1200SE
2013 MOTO GUZZI STELVIO 1200NTX - Orange Blossom Special
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Mon Sep 22, 2014 9:14 am
Steak wrote:
When you shorten the kickstand, if you re-weld on the "foot" make sure that you orient the tang/plate for maximum ground clearance in the retracted position.
The plan is to section it between the tang plate and the foot, leaving the tang and plate alone.
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 16, 2014 6:29 pm
OK, finally got my kickstand shortened 3/4", welded and powdercoated. Then pushed the forks 3/4" in the clamps to match! Took a ride in the canyons today just to get the feel and couldn't be happier! Was it worth the $? It is to me. All in $700+. (labor inclusive)
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sat Nov 29, 2014 6:14 pm
Here's a pic of the GRiSO lowered 3/4" all around and kickstand shortened and powder coated. Note the stock height black seat. My brown seat was shaved down, so this stock seat is more comfy. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
DungeonMaster GRiSO
Posts : 1163 Join date : 2013-11-26 Age : 61
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sat Nov 29, 2014 6:19 pm
Nice...........
Steak Godfather
Posts : 3154 Join date : 2013-05-28 Age : 59
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 10:44 am
Where are the dingle balls???
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2012 MOTO GUZZI GRiSO 1200SE
2013 MOTO GUZZI STELVIO 1200NTX - Orange Blossom Special
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:09 am
Steak wrote:
Where are the dingle balls???
Not sure. Have you looked between your legs? Or perhaps that's dingle berries?
DungeonMaster GRiSO
Posts : 1163 Join date : 2013-11-26 Age : 61
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 1:20 pm
There is sooooo muuuuuch love in this place this weekend!!!!!!!!
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 1:53 pm
DungeonMaster wrote:
There is sooooo muuuuuch love in this place this weekend!!!!!!!!
Oh I didn't know the Aussie's were the only ones allowed to be crass, and ball busters! I have much love for everyone everywhere. In fact I just returned from dropping of a gift at the post office and in the lobby (it's closed today, but the drop of area is open, I found a $20.00 bill crumpled and squashed on the floor!) Nobody to ask if anyone lost it, so...
Steak Godfather
Posts : 3154 Join date : 2013-05-28 Age : 59
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 1:54 pm
Love that song...
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2012 MOTO GUZZI GRiSO 1200SE
2013 MOTO GUZZI STELVIO 1200NTX - Orange Blossom Special
grisorosso Grignapoco
Posts : 117 Join date : 2014-09-05 Age : 69
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 4:05 pm
Now that the front is down as well as the back, is the rear underbelly still being touched by the tyre? I'm curious, as one who is afflicted with ducks disease as well as a fat arse.
It's a good look, congratulations.
Canyon Carver Sfregiato
Posts : 467 Join date : 2014-06-13 Age : 74
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 5:01 pm
grisorosso wrote:
Now that the front is down as well as the back, is the rear underbelly still being touched by the tyre? I'm curious, as one who is afflicted with ducks disease as well as a fat arse.
It's a good look, congratulations.
Yes if I hit a dip without unweighting myself off the seat, it can bottom out/ It is better though. It's much more neutral steering now. I'll be due for a valve job in a few hundred more miles and I'll have Todd at Guzzi-Tech ride it. I know the stock shock is marginal, but I would need to spend around $1,000 to get a better, short shock and another few hundred to upgrade the front suspension. Other priorities this time of year too.
grisorosso Grignapoco
Posts : 117 Join date : 2014-09-05 Age : 69
Subject: Re: Lowering Link for Guzzi GRiSO Sun Nov 30, 2014 5:09 pm
Thanks, I wondered if the weight redistribution had improved the spring compression a little. From my own rough measuring, a shorter (travel) shock would solve the scraping. Tough ask to reduce overall travel AND improve the ride.