need to lower suspension

webfoot · Oct 13, 2014

new to enduro riding
have a fe 350 2014, any experiences with lowering bike? max distance, aftermarket products, all input welcome

webfoot

Kayeffess · Oct 13, 2014

How much do you need it lowered ? You could prob shave 1.5 " out of the seat. Push the forks up in the triples 15mm or so.
You can also have the shock and fork lowered internally pretty reasonably if you are having the suspension reworked at the same time.

webfoot · Oct 13, 2014

I've done the seat! anybody have experience with terra-x .com from auz, they sell a lowering kit?

Taffy · Oct 14, 2014

put an eccentric bush in the lower shock mount and whatever it lowers the bike by at the back is what you lower it by at the front with the yokes down the tubes.

regards

Taffy

Huskyfatman · Oct 14, 2014

Taffy said:
put an eccentric bush in the lower shock mount and whatever it lowers the bike by at the back is what you lower it by at the front with the yokes down the tubes.

regards

Taffy

Put one of these on my GF's old KTM. Worked great. Might put one in my '14 Berg.
Synergy Seals X-Bushing - Dirt Rider Magazine

BKL · Nov 7, 2014

Do the eccentric bushings fit the old [2003] shocks? They only list them for 2009 and up.

Idle · Nov 8, 2014

BKL:
I have an 04 FS650 shock I could part with. The stiffer valving would help if you were 185# or more. It could use a service though. $125 and you can have a 80 or 84 spring with it.

Idle · Nov 8, 2014

^^it would lower the rear about 1-1/2-2" iirc.
It (shock eye to eye) measures about 1" shorter.

bushmechanic · Nov 8, 2014

A few of us have relocated the shock upper mount 9mm higher up

relatively easy to do, have to repaint the inside of the air box after welding, drops the rear almost 30mm in total

FE350 · Nov 26, 2015

Sorry a little late to this. but I have managed to lower mine over two inches without any issues.

As Taffy noted, the bushing is the way to go for sure, For the PDS this is the best way to a drop without doing the shock and without screwing with rake and trail. I also don't like to modify a shock for PDS types as the procedure used lowing will take travel out when bottoming.

I used the offset bushing,( I used the Synergy X-Bushing & Z-Bolt Kit as it also allows you to grease the bearing as well

) I had to shave the lower mount of my shock and did this with a die grinder and a 3m rol-loc disc, this took off just the right amount and did not compromise strength.

I also had to shave the swing arm to allow the shock to move freely with the offset bearing maxed out. The little amount of offset makes for a big improvement at seat height.
I also shaved the seat as this is not a cruising machine lol

Due to using a offset bearing in a PDS system, unlike the linkage system you do not screw with the rake and trail as much as all that is moving is you. I do not advise lowering the front in the triple trees the same amount as this will change the feel and factory handling. The offset bushing moves the bolt a small amount and due to the angle of the shock creates allot at the seat so the rake and trail change is minimal. Unless you really need this or are trying to achieve a faster turning response? If you do require this to get lower than take it a little at a time as per feel for you ( I have notice the 4cs seem to flop if you bring them up to far and will do this much faster as the flop is to the right and with the one shock being rebound and one compression this happens fast? and at high speeds), so be careful if moving them or have the front 4cs shocks done by someone who knows how to work on these correctly as they can be messed up and are quite a bit different than any other WP fork. My seat height is now 36 inches from the factory 38.19 inches.

I hope you enjoy you 350 as much as I do

Nothing but good things to say about this one

NZ FE · Sep 5, 2016

G-day this is a great thread with lots of good information. I have a 08 fe450 that i wish to lower, i have been looking at the synergy X bushing and Z bolt but they seem to be for the 09 on and i have e-mailed but haven't recived any reply from synergy them selves as to whether their product is suitable. Does anyone know if these products will fit a 08 fe450?
I am also interested to see the post about shifting of the upper shock mount, has this been done on a bike the model of mine?

NZ FE · Oct 21, 2016

Unfortunatly Synergy have replied and can't supply me with any information on weather they can do a x bush for my bike… well actually first the said they can and sent me a link to their site from where i initially contacted them, then i asked again if they had one specefic for my bike or if the 09 on one would fit my bike. To which they asked me if i knew if their 09 on bush would fit my bike… then a different person from synergy asked if my bike had a ktm shock… ffs i have the money they are the guys selling the parts! So i did some research but am not sure the shock itself has a different parts number and the top bolt is a different size but the bottom seems to be the same can anyone advise me as to weather there is a lowering bush that will fit the 08 and older bikes please?

Taffy · Oct 22, 2016

well you just need to measure the heim bearing that is in there now and you'll see the dimensions or maybe give them the dimensions?

you can only alter the ride height a little if you aren't going to do some work on the swingarm. the real benefit comes from filling a little alloy away from the housing for the bushing and also under the shock at the bottom of the fork. then you can get more rotation!

I started all this when I stated that everything except the X-bushing had a bearing on your suspension. the X-bushing doesn't. every lemming now knows this! but the ACTUAL reason i fitted an X-bushing was because the correct spring and sag means that the seat height is higher up- this is true - but it wasn't for that reason. it is for what is called 'anti-squat'.

with the correct spring and sag for best suspension, the bike lifts up (rises at the back say, at the seat if you like) as you open the throttle! the X-bushing stops this.

so it becomes a double whammy benefit!

regards

Taffy

NZ FE · Oct 22, 2016

BKL said:
Do the eccentric bushings fit the old [2003] shocks? They only list them for 2009 and up.

This is the question i am trying to answer… from best i can tell at this stage is sadly no, as the 09 on the lower mount is female shock male swing arm and the 2000-08 is male shock female swing arm. But i don't know for sure and haven't been able to get any hard and fast answers.
How ever there are other options like shimming the shock, unfortunatly this removes travel and brings bottoming closer. There is the ability to get the shock rebuilt with a shorther piston… i don't know much about this option yet still to research this one. And then there is Bushys mod, cutting dish and tig welder, permanent but doesn't effect travel.
I am still personally hoping that some has found a way to use a offset bushing system in the pre 09 bikes.

NZ FE · Oct 24, 2016

Taffy said:
well you just need to measure the heim bearing that is in there now and you'll see the dimensions or maybe give them the dimensions?

you can only alter the ride height a little if you aren't going to do some work on the swingarm. the real benefit comes from filling a little alloy away from the housing for the bushing and also under the shock at the bottom of the fork. then you can get more rotation!

I started all this when I stated that everything except the X-bushing had a bearing on your suspension. the X-bushing doesn't. every lemming now knows this! but the ACTUAL reason i fitted an X-bushing was because the correct spring and sag means that the seat height is higher up- this is true - but it wasn't for that reason. it is for what is called 'anti-squat'.

with the correct spring and sag for best suspension, the bike lifts up (rises at the back say, at the seat if you like) as you open the throttle! the X-bushing stops this.

so it becomes a double whammy benefit!

regards

Taffy

Sorry i hadn't seen this post prior to my last reply in this thread. Not really sure how to take some of what your saying so i will ignore the part where you imply i may be a lemming and that thank you for replying and for your contribution. Its funny other kiwis had worned me about you when i bought a Berg, but i would rather respect your knowledge but rude condescending nature is just that… but at this point i will just ignore it. As things online can be easily mis construed, some thing said in jest is hard to read, with out tone of voice, and body language.

Thanks.

Taffy · Oct 24, 2016

Ah I see, well let me explain. it is impossible to get an idea through here, or anywhere until something has what is known as 'it's own critical mass'. then it becomes unstoppable.

we follow each other like lemmings because everyone else is doing it. people's ability to take one persons 100% sure advice (as opposed to guessing why a bike has a cough or a splutter which is conjecture) is limited.

everyone is buying my adversaries (but lovely old friends) jetting kits, I could tell you that they are **** but you possibly (and likely) wouldn't listen. another website is littered with people that can't get their bikes running right. Lemmings see?

anyway, I thought you Kiwis were the only ones that said it how it is? (other than B......). I asked my mates dad two weeks ago about playing the All Blacks and he said 'you weren't good enough, and when you play better, you'll win. it's simple!'
I laughed because he told it just the way I do...straight. everyone else thought he was abrupt.

each to their own hey....

Taffy

NZ FE · Oct 24, 2016

Taffy said:
Ah I see, well let me explain. it is impossible to get an idea through here, or anywhere until something has what is known as 'it's own critical mass'. then it becomes unstoppable.

we follow each other like lemmings because everyone else is doing it. people's ability to take one persons 100% sure advice (as opposed to guessing why a bike has a cough or a splutter which is conjecture) is limited.

everyone is buying my adversaries (but lovely old friends) jetting kits, I could tell you that they are **** but you possibly (and likely) wouldn't listen. another website is littered with people that can't get their bikes running right. Lemmings see?

anyway, I thought you Kiwis were the only ones that said it how it is? (other than B......). I asked my mates dad two weeks ago about playing the All Blacks and he said 'you weren't good enough, and when you play better, you'll win. it's simple!'
I laughed because he told it just the way I do...straight. everyone else thought he was abrupt.

each to their own hey....

Taffy

Thank you for your reply. And i was try to inturn be straight up with you.
As i do respect your knowledge, and the fact that you took time to reply to me.
I personally hate the sheepish follow the masses nature of humans at the moment, and how it is effecting the world on a political and social level.
If its any consterlation i haven't bought any part off your counterparts.
Have a good week.

Taffy · Oct 24, 2016

cheers Hadrian, no problem.

as i say, I have taken suspension and handling way, way, way beyond the average. I'm into anti-squat. if you look back in the annals of UHE history it was the parting of the ways with me and bushie (that and some other things to be fair but it was the catalyst).

basically, if you race and really put strong springs in these Husabergs, they sit up and go striaght off the corner. the more you oopen the throttle hard while cranked over - the more they just lift up and go straight on.

they are set up for people to have the average wooly suspensiona be sitting 25mm lower.

at this height, it isn't a problem. the problem comes about because the seat leaves the rear wheel as you whack the throttle. the chain is trying to pull the rear wheel into the soil and to do it it is taking the rear wheel under the bike, the chain does it. most people think a chain pulls the rear wheel nowhere, some that think about it think it is neutral and a few less think it pulls into the seat. it does with soft sussies.

this gives a harsh ride.

a jacked rear under acceleration gives a comfortable ride but sadly most riders disappeared through the spectator ropes ages ago on the OUTSIDE of the track.

that is because
as you whack the throttle
the wheel drives down
so the seat comes up
so the engine comes up
so the balnace of falling in versus G force pushing you up 'n out is lost because your weight goes up and therefore out.
so none of us like to fall off outwards - very difficult to do
so we straighten up
lose speed
lay it down again
have another go
usually just deciding to pin it on the straight - when you get there - instead

the only way out of this if you do have strong springs is:
a shorter shock......

sorry this is where we came in!

so you see, we want the SAME THING but for totally different reasons.

the X bushing was more commonally used on the front wheel of the pre 2001 KTM. you could fit a 22mm spindle in a 26mm eccentric X bushing and rotate it. everyone did it to change the trail, some (a small handful) just stuck the spindle at 12 o clock and lowered the bike. that was the start of the X bushings.

enjoy!

my friends house in Canterbry was blessed, 2/3rds of his street broke and had to be demolished but his was good.

Taffy

Huskyfatman · Oct 25, 2016

Taffy said:
cheers Hadrian, no problem.

as i say, I have taken suspension and handling way, way, way beyond the average. I'm into anti-squat. if you look back in the annals of UHE history it was the parting of the ways with me and bushie (that and some other things to be fair but it was the catalyst).

basically, if you race and really put strong springs in these Husabergs, they sit up and go striaght off the corner. the more you oopen the throttle hard while cranked over - the more they just lift up and go straight on.

they are set up for people to have the average wooly suspensiona be sitting 25mm lower.

at this height, it isn't a problem. the problem comes about because the seat leaves the rear wheel as you whack the throttle. the chain is trying to pull the rear wheel into the soil and to do it it is taking the rear wheel under the bike, the chain does it. most people think a chain pulls the rear wheel nowhere, some that think about it think it is neutral and a few less think it pulls into the seat. it does with soft sussies.

this gives a harsh ride.

a jacked rear under acceleration gives a comfortable ride but sadly most riders disappeared through the spectator ropes ages ago on the OUTSIDE of the track.

that is because
as you whack the throttle
the wheel drives down
so the seat comes up
so the engine comes up
so the balnace of falling in versus G force pushing you up 'n out is lost because your weight goes up and therefore out.
so none of us like to fall off outwards - very difficult to do
so we straighten up
lose speed
lay it down again
have another go
usually just deciding to pin it on the straight - when you get there - instead

the only way out of this if you do have strong springs is:
a shorter shock......

sorry this is where we came in!

so you see, we want the SAME THING but for totally different reasons.

the X bushing was more commonally used on the front wheel of the pre 2001 KTM. you could fit a 22mm spindle in a 26mm eccentric X bushing and rotate it. everyone did it to change the trail, some (a small handful) just stuck the spindle at 12 o clock and lowered the bike. that was the start of the X bushings.

enjoy!

my friends house in Canterbry was blessed, 2/3rds of his street broke and had to be demolished but his was good.

Taffy

Horst Leitner fan Taffy?

Taffy · Oct 26, 2016

I guess not HFM?

I know little about the above but I am now intrigued so do explain!

regards

Taffy

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