RVF400 - Jack the back or lower the front ???

[blackcat]

Do I jack the back or lower the front ??? Saw a spacer to go on the top of the rear shocker for my RVF to jack the back up and sharpen the steering/increase gound clearance etc ( looks a pig to fit though !!) I don't lean off the RVF ( to old these days ) so stay planted in it when cornering so can the front forks be dropped about 10mm or doesn't this make much difference to this fine handling back?
Just asking as I dropped the forks on my CB1300s barge and it improved the handling no end :-)
I'm assuming some have dropped the forks etc on their RVF's...was the handling improved ?
Cheers

[Gazzahh]

I would advise againt lowering the front, could cause tyre to rub on the fairing/radiator under heavy braking, the jack up plate is easy to fit on the RVF, remove the seat, slacken off the top mount, slide in the jack up plate, and tighten up, some on ebay at the moment.

[RVFHooligan]

Agreed, ride height shim in back, don't drop the front. My bike has the top of the forks level with the top triple and I have this obvious tire mark on the V-nose section. I am assuming the forks are in the standard position.

[fastdruid]

Thirded on not dropping the front, clearance is tight at the front.

You don't need to actually remove the shock or anything to fit the plate although as the ride height adjuster will be at its lowest setting you will need quite a deep socket (or decent spanner) to remove the nut, especially as it will be quite tight.

Druid

[rossman_999]

It depends on how heavy you are?

Ive droped the frount 10mm on my wifes NC30 and no probs! however when I am on it I do get problems with the clearance!

[RVFHooligan]

He is talking about an NC-35 not NC-30, I would imagine there is a difference in geometry. And I hope your wife weighs a lot less than you.

[monkeywithaplan]

i have raised my rear ride height by 30mm with my nitron shock and lowered the yokes through the forks 5mm and never had a problem on my RVF. it equates to sharper steering certainly. get your preload sorted right and you should not run into any clearance problems. i have fireblade brakes on the front and under harsh braking all is fine.

[CRM]

There is an easy and cheap way to do this, buy a NC30 rear wheel which is 18" i presume this is a road bike and your running 090's or similar ? then job sorted.
I appreciate that for the track many say you cant get tyres suitable in 18" however for road use and using BT090's then no hassle.
Instant ride height lift, and a spare wheel / tyre to boot = result

[blackcat]

Thanks guys, great replies. I have an alloy washer which is 1 cm thick but I may go the route and buy one of the alloy plates off eblag..save removing shock etc.

EDIT:- Dammit sodden thing isn't on Ebay anymore

[Psychosomatic88]

I dropped the forks by 30mm on the front and the back gone up with a race shock (not sure how much but it has)

Front braking not a problem, handling is bananas to say the least but just incredible. Flicks over awesomly. But is very very twitchy on the power.

But I love it now, and yes Im a hooligan on it!

:D