Longer Dogbones for a Pro-link

[Spoke]

Hi all, I need to lower my Pro-link, by a few inches. Having looked into this I think that changing the dogbones that connect the base of the shock to the frame would be the most effective method.
I have replaced the old air shock with a new spring shock.
Are longer dogbones available anywhere, or is anyone making such things?

Paul,
UK.

[NobleHops]

Hey Paul,

I don't know the answer to your question specifically, but I did buy a set of replacement dogbones for my VStrom from a vendor on eBay to do the opposite - I needed to raise the rear to quicken the steering without losing ground clearance. The ones I got were machined out of aluminum plate - they were stone simple, and they have been on there for a few years without any signs of distress.

Given that experience, and my skepticism about you finding something in the marketplace, I think your best bet would be to remove the ones you have, make your best guess/calculation about what length you need, and trot down to a nearby machine shop with them and have new ones fabricated.

In the case of my Suzuki, a shorter dogbone resulted in a higher rear end - not sure what you'll need on a Prolink. Note that if you do indeed lower it 'several inches' it will steer like a chopper unless you lower the front a similar amount, and then you best be mindful about lost cornering clearance.

I tried to find my former vendor on eBay but came up with this guy instead:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/C-J-Accessories

He's in the UK, sells raising and lowering kits for many bikes and might be a good place to start.

N.

[Spoke]

Hey Thank you for your comprehensive & informative reply.
I have noted the Uk vendor you kindly sent me the link to.
I'm thinking I may well just do as you suggest & find a local machine shop to fabricate some for me.
All the best,
Paul.

(BTW, my CBX is a chopper)

[NobleHops]

Haha, OK then, carry on! You're on your way!

Did you get badgered into posting pics yet? Sorry if I'm forgetting, but I'd love to see it. Again, perhaps .

N.

[Larry Zimmer]

Keep in mind, too, that if you lower it (especially a couple inches as you stated) that you may need to alter the side stand to prevent the bike from standing too straight-up. And, if you're using the center stand, you will notice a considerable effort increase to get it up onto the center stand. Just a couple things to know/consider along with Nils' mention of steering goemetry/handling change.

[Mixtbag]

This is an interesting thread and you may have answered a related problem that I was looking for info to answer: I recently purchased an 81 CBX that has had a Works Ultrasport adjustable rear shock installed that I suspect has lowered the bike somewhat. I almost immediately noticed that I cannot muscle the bike up onto the center stand no matter how hard I try! AND it does rest a bit more upright on the side stand than I feel comfortable with. Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks,

[Rick Pope]

Mixtbag,

What size rear tire do you have? That makes a difference as well.

[EMS]

This is an interesting thread and you may have answered a related problem that I was looking for info to answer: I recently purchased an 81 CBX that has had a Works Ultrasport adjustable rear shock installed that I suspect has lowered the bike somewhat. I almost immediately noticed that I cannot muscle the bike up onto the center stand no matter how hard I try! AND it does rest a bit more upright on the side stand than I feel comfortable with. Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks,

When the air pressure is low on my 81 stock rear shock, it is harder to move on to the centerstand. I would assume that if you lose that feature and the shock retains a height slightly lower than stock, you would have a similar problem.