Lowering Kit

[mkgarvin]

I stopped by Rockwall Honda this past weekend and inquired about lowering my bike.  One of the salesmen told me I could lower the back without having the lower the front.  He said I should use a lowering kit made by Progressive and it would cost about $250.  Can anyone confirm the feasibility of only lowering the back and also is that a good price?  Thanks.

[mkgarvin]

Update: I found an article on another Magna website that described how someone took shocks from a Rebel 250 and installed them on a Magna.  Their only concern was the shocks would not be able to hold the weight but so far they have held up.  Any thoughts on that idea?

[MagnaMan]

I believe Cobra also makes a lowering kit for the Magna. Chris Larue has lowered his bike. You may want to PM him.

Keep in mind that you really need to lower the front and back equally if you want to maintain the same handling. Does the Progressive kit lower both?  Lowering the back only will make the bike more chopperlike and theoretically make the steering less responsive for cornering.

Also while I'm sure the rebel shocks are shorter they are probably not designed for the same weight range. They may work but I'm sure the ride is probably worse. Personally I think the stock rear Magna shocks are not all that great and I can't imagine going to something worse. Progressive makes good components and I'm sure that their kit will be an improvement.

Other things to consider when lowering your bike are:
1. Clearance inside the fender. You'll probably have to stick with the stock size tire. In fact you might check your current tire size. A 150 is stock, the other tires commonly used on a Magna are taller.
2. Decreased ground clearance and lean angle. I wouldn't want to give up any more.
3. Any affects the new angle this will have on the chain. Not sure what, but you are changing the geometry.

Another way to lower the seat height without actually lowering the bike is to go with the Corbin Gunfighter. I'd say it drops the seat height about 2 inches.

[Greg Cothern]

I agree I would NOT use or recommend the Rebel shocks.  As suggested the Cobra lowering kit will lower the rear, while progressive springs in the forks can equal out lowering.
I am sure you can probably order the Progressive rears in different heights to lower it as well, just give them a shout.
The seat is the easiest way to loose a couple inches overall, as Jesse suggested.

[crash]

i have been told that the adjustment on the rear shocks will lower it a little bit   but i am not sure i have never messed with mine maybe it works i do not know

[trapper]

I've found where I can purchase Progressive rear shocks for more than $80 less than retail.  I'm thinking about 412-4200 which is an 11.5" shock to replace the 13" shocks that are on Tina's V30.  OF COURSE, I cannot find a Progressive lowering kit for the same bike.  Which leads me to all sorts of other questions.

Does anyone know of a lowering kit for the V30?

  or

Can I lower the forks myself by altering the stock setup?  I guess I should read the repair manual to determine if there are pre-load spacers.  If so, I suppose I could remove these then add spacers to the bottom to acheive the same preload.  Can I re-use the stock pre-load spacers on the bottom, or do I need to purchase or fabricate new spacers of a different ID/OD?  Is this a fairly quick mod?

Sorry about all the questions.  Want to make sure I've got everything right before I consider altering Tina's bike 2 weeks before MOOTMag.

[Greg Cothern]

Well you could slide the fork tubes up through the triple tree a bit more to equal the drop in the back.  At least till ya find the internals.

[trapper]

Wow, Greg...Thanks!!  That sounds like a very simple solution.  Could I consider that as a permanent fix?  What are the pros and cons of moving the fork tubes up through the triple tree like that?

[Charles S Otwell]

I used that method to lower the front of my first Magna. Not only did it not effect the handling, no one even noticed . Worked great!

[Greg Cothern]

Should work fine, just do the front and rear evenly so you dont upset the engineering geometry designed in the handling.

[trapper]

Tina's bike is now lower.  She can actually touch her feet to the ground.  Not just her toes.  Should improve her riding style, although it was Jeff's suggestion that she grow 6 inches.....

Just need to adjust the chain and come up with a short kickstand.

[Greg Cothern]

Trapper, I have seen folks cut a section out of the kickstand and weld it back together with good results.

[chrislarue]

I know this thread is old but I just noticed my name was mentioned so I'll tell you what I did.

I used a lowering kit on the rear that simply relocated where the shocks attach to the swing arm, resulting in the rear end being about 1-1.5" lower. Go here (http://www.scootworks.com/partshonlower.htm) and look for the Magna Lowering System. I'm not absolute but it seems like I paid less than the price listed on Scootworks.

I installed Progressive springs on the front and cut the spacers to match the rear end in order to keep the bike level.

All is good!

[bambam]

I will sugested to change the stock seat with a Corbin Gunfighter , that will give you 1- 3/4" lower and you keep the bike the way is designed. I did it and worked great , plus you get more back support with the Corbin.

Just my 0.2 cents

[trapper]

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions.  My problem was finding fork lowering kits and/or seats for a 1984 V30.  They just weren't available in the places I was looking.  In lieu of a fork lowering kit, it was suggested by some on the board, (thanks Greg & Charles), that I could slide the tubes up in the triple tree.  So....I ordered the Progressive shocks, adjusted the fork tubes in the triple tree and lowered Tina's bike 1 1/2".  Of course, I didn't get the shocks until AFTER MOOTMag...

I'll get a picture or two of Tina sitting on the bike with BOTH feet on the ground.  Now Lowell won't be able to pick Tina out by looking in the rearview for the OTHER rider whose feet don't touch.  Oh...and for Jeff...Tina appreciates the critique of her riding style...(lol), but growing 6 inches wasn't an option for her...*snicker*