Posted May 28, 2007 hi everyone, does anyone out there know of a way to reduce the seat height on the x11? i have shaved a bit off the seat profile and this has helped but i could do with another inch or so. i know i can have a custom made shock and there are places that will do a professional lowering job but both of these work out too costly for my pocket. is there a simpler method or is there a shorter shock off another model that would fit. thanks paul. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted May 28, 2007 You may be better looking at lowering the rear sub-frame.... (as others look to raise it!) I wouldn't want to mess about with altering the geometry of the rear suspension.... Just watch for wheel clearance if you do... good luck and keep us posted. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 10, 2015 OK, old topic, let's update. How bout today, anybody done lowering, share experience? It seems like there are ~30mm rear lowering kits available, but I haven't found proper pictures to see the actual product - I have no idea how they actually works. I'm thinking of dropping the ride height a few cm's mainly by tweaking the suspension, so as height limited I would be more comfortable and secure when standing still. Now I'm kinda tip-toeing when keeping both feet on the ground (already dropped the bike once last summer at walking speed - no damage though!) Lowering the subframe is not an option because of the looks, but I could think of re-shaping the seat foam a bit. But I don't want to shave the seat too much, because it would increase the knee angle. Affecting the lean angle doesn't matter, since I'm not doing trackdays or high-speed driving/cornering anyway. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 10, 2015 Those kits usually involve shorter dog-bone links, the x11 doesn't have any so it's a bit more difficult. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 10, 2015 Fraid its a shorter shock or alter the subframe angle, imho anyway. I'd go for trying to alter the subframe angle myself... As Eddie says, no dog bones on an X, only on Blackbirds, thats one of the many minor differences... kr D. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 10, 2015 If you did go for the seat altering option you can get adjustable pegs so the knee angle could be kept the same. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) I was thinking for example, what these kits actually does: http://www.powerbronze.co.uk/2437626/2360795/899666/TAIL-LOWERING-KIT---HONDA-X11-99-%2830MM%29---Item.item or http://www.motorcycle-road-and-race.co.uk/hyperpro-lowering-kit-honda-x11-99- No pic of the actual product, and by looking at the current setup on the bike I just cannot figure out how they works? Seems to be some generic dogbone altering thingy in pictures, but it doesn't make sense. And I'm sure they wouldn't list a product that doesn't exist? If I would be altering the subframe angle, I'd had to do quite a dramatic drop to make any difference. As I'm on the short side, I'm already keeping my knackers to the tank while on the bike - and that's where the least dropping would be It would just make the bike look kinda depressed. I have actually checked the adjustable pegs option too, and I might be doing it anyway. Though it might require some modifying for rear brake and gear shift levers, but that's not an issue. Edited February 10, 2015 by mitch83 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 11, 2015 I suspect that they also are assuming that X11 = Blackbird. And it doesn't! See the images below. The swingarm has no linkages, and the shock top mounts (numbered 1 in pic) bolt directly to the chassis. So to lower it, the shock HAS to be shorter. Increasing the ride height is possible, by sticking spacers under the bolts of the mounts (1), but not lowering. Some people, such as Shock Factory (unashamed plug!..) will build you a shorter shock, but even a small amount (e.g. 5mm) makes a significant difference, so, be careful! kr d. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 11, 2015 There is one lowering kit available here in Finland, http://www.storm-motor.fi/osat/moottoripyorat/honda/cb1100sf-x-11/2001/mfw-madallussarja-pera-25mm-mfw-150020015/ Just go to Turku to check it out It might be something like these, it changes the lower point of the shock. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 11, 2015 Hmm, could it be? I'm not sure... if the lower end is moved backwards, it is already at the edge of the swingarm (see the .jpg), but if you move it forwards, that already raises the height, and you have to come down even more. I'll look at mine later today, I have to do some stuff to it anyway... -D 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 11, 2015 There is one lowering kit available here in Finland, http://www.storm-motor.fi/osat/moottoripyorat/honda/cb1100sf-x-11/2001/mfw-madallussarja-pera-25mm-mfw-150020015/ Just go to Turku to check it out Haha, seems like I'm again going... uh... "merta edemmäs kalaan" My local Storm dealer is just 2min drive away from my work, could as well check with them. And I just got their customer-bouns-card-thing too 1 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 11, 2015 Looks like it goes on the top mount? Now i am thinking that what the hell i was thinking 1 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 11, 2015 Hmm maybe so Eddie (top mount). The bottom you can move back a bit, if no hugger(!) and it could then go down slightly, I looked while tweaking the new front wheel (see the other thread..). Top would have to go backwards and up, up more since it's lessening the shock angle, but anyway, even 5mm is a fair bit. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted February 21, 2015 If you drop the rear heigth don't forget dropping the front too. My wife rides a cbr600f and it was lowered by half an inch at the rear and an inch at the fork so the riding level everywhere at the bottom of the bike has not changed. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted March 10, 2015 OK folks... lots of pics This is the actual part: Comparison with the original part. Shaving a couple of millimeters at this point is doing much more for the seat height. The old part removed (it was kinda PIA to remove...) While the "top nut" is removed anyway, why not taking the whole assembly apart and give it a good cleaning and inspection? There, better! The whole thing cleaned and re-painted where possible. I had some leftover red Hammerite paint, so I thinned it for spray gun and also re-sprayed the spring. Assembled with our new "lowering kit". Also the front needs to be dropped. I just slid the fork up, and masked the top part (with black "plasti-dip" paint and black vinyl tape). It's actually better this way, fits better with the LSL handlebar adapter So this is how the front looks And the rear It did drop some, I didn't measure how much though. I still cannot flat-foot on both sides, though I feel much more secure. But now I can flat-foot on one side when stopping to lights! Without having to slide my arse too much... 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted March 10, 2015 Well done Mitch, looks as though you have done a good job there. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted March 11, 2015 Great job Riku, now you just need the weather to show it off. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted March 11, 2015 There's still a few unfinished things with the bike... I'll post a pic of the whole bike once I'm fully finished. 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted March 11, 2015 Do you have a pic how much space are there under the seat? 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted March 11, 2015 (edited) Do you have a pic how much space are there under the seat? Sure, just posted a pic yesterday to another topic. Here: http://www.hondax11.com/ips/index.php?/topic/15857-my-tail-tidy-project/#entry40758 Also hugger installed in there. Edited March 11, 2015 by mitch83 0 Share this post Link to post
Posted March 11, 2015 Do you have a pic how much space are there under the seat? Sure, just posted a pic yesterday to another topic. Here: http://www.hondax11.com/ips/index.php?/topic/15857-my-tail-tidy-project/#entry40758 Also hugger installed in there. Thanks. Seems enough 0 Share this post Link to post
