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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through February 14, 2009 » Anybody played with fork height in triple clamps much? « Previous Next »

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Alameda
Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 11:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

mine are showing about 1.5" to 2" of fork leg above the triple clamp. this thing turns quickly enough and I am getting some wabble at about 3k rpms on decelleration. I am going to try raising the forks in the triple clamps and see if that helps. anyone else played with this? i have tires (Scorpion Syncs) set at recommended pressure and suspension at factory settings for my weight and thought this to be the next step. Oh yeah I also have a steering stabilizer on there too.
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Florida_lime
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 10:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Are you the original owner ? Was the current height a change you made, or one that was made to lower the seat height ?

I don't have my bike here near the computer to check, but that amount seems pretty drastic to me. That would account for some pretty quick handling, with a touch of instability.
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Petebueller
Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 03:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Alameda

A friend lowered his STT by changing the rear shock to an '07 Ss version, and pushing the forks up through the triple clamp. He was trying to get the height and handling of his '07 Ss, but IMO it didn't work. The bike was inclined to speed-wobble.

I have done the opposite on my Firebolt. I dropped the forks through the triple clamp to get a bit more stability and to keep the rear wheel down when braking.

I have attached a photograph. You will see the ring. This is to locate the triple clamp in the standard position. This is also the lowest recommend setting. If your forks are through further it means that the ring has been removed.


Forks Dropped through Triple clamp


This is hairy for several reasons.
It means that your rake has been reduced below recommended.
Worse than that is the possibility of the forks slipping through the triple clamp. If you look at the pic you will see that at pretty close to 2" from the top the diameter of the fork reduces. The upper triple clamp would be loose if it got below this.

The ring in the fork is for safety. Without these the next thing to keep your headlight off your wheel is the reflectors on the side of the forks.

The rings set the minimum height of your triple clamp. You need to put them back on.

I'd check to see what else had been done. Has the rear been lowered? Has the rear shock been changed? You can get front and rear spring kits to lower a Uly and IMO these are the only safe option.

It would be nice to know why the change was made. When a Uly is loaded with a gear and passenger the steering can get a little light. If that were the problem the bike should probably see a suspension specialist. I'd think that beefing up the rear and perhaps progressive springs in the front would be more conventional than pushing the forks up.

Summary - I'd get the clips back on and take the forks to where they are resting on the clips. If you find you have issues after that I's go to a suspension specialist.
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Skinstains
Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009 - 07:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I would definately take a look at the teper of the fork tube and make sure it is in the clamp fully. Asap.
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Alameda
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 01:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I am not the original owner. Bought it from the sales manager of the Buell dealership. I will move the forks up to stock settings before riding. This will probably clear things up.

I will start there and if it still feels weird I will take it to a suspension shop most likely

Thanks for the feedback.
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Jameslaugesen
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 08:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have dropped my Uly fork tubes down in the triple like Pete, for a bit more stability sliding in gravel.

Like Pete says you're probably missing the locating rings from your tubes, and you really should have 'em.
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Skinstains
Posted on Monday, February 09, 2009 - 08:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If you need the rings I can send you a couple. let me know.
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