| Author | Message | ||
     B00stzx3 |
Hey guys. Put the Lightning SL forks and Yellow shock on my 2003 firebolt. Lower, but still now low enough for me to flat foot (I'm 5'3). I can put the balls of my feet down now as opposed to just my tippy toes, but would like to flat foot. Anything else I can do? Adjust the shock and fork to go lower? Send my seat into that gel guy? I got boots, but dont like the idea of getting ones with huge soles, because riding would be weird and not comfortable. (Message edited by b00stzx3 on September 26, 2008) | ||
| Thumper74 |
You're boned. You can take off some pre-load to get the bike to sag, but you run the risk of bottoming out. Maybe some custom made springs? | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Dang, nothing else? How would I go about that? I got the service manual and the owners manual but dunno where to even start. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Nothing else you can really do man. Don't jack with the springs. Being able to flat foot isn't worth having a poor handling bike. What you need to realize is that you're just not gonna be able to do it, accept it, realize that it's ok, and ride happy. | ||
| Xl1200r |
How much time do you really spend with your feet down anyways? Lots of people just learn to live with it - that would be my suggestion. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"and blue shock on my 2003 firebolt." Get the yellow shock, its for the SL. You may try to raise the forks in the trees a little as well, but I'd only do that if you had the Low shock installed. | ||
| Swordsman |
Er, maybe some Blast wheels?  ~SM | ||
| B00stzx3 |
I wont spend much time with my feet down, but it would make me more confident in day to day traffic. I guess I'll get used to it. I was looking for info on that guy that redoes seats, heard a long time ago he can take like an inch out of my seat with the use of gel. Im willing to sacrifice comfort, I'm 22 so I'm used to it  Shop- I got the yellow shock in, from the SL plus the SL forks and SL kickstand, the whole lowering "kit". I guess in desperation I might take some padding outta the seat. | ||
| Slaughter |
Shoot the suspension shops the question. Traxxion dynamics is pretty familiar with the XB platform and they might be able to offer some suggestions???? | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Flat Footing is overrated. Have you sat on a XB12Scg? I bet swapping to the S tail end with a low seat will get you a bit lower. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
You guys will know this better than I, but is there a tire manufactuer that makes a lower profile tire? | ||
| Slaughter |
Although I'd also echo what was said above -maybe kinda get practiced with it. PLANNING on which side of the bike you'll put your foot down makes life a whole lot easier rather than trying to flat-foot it. You should try riding a dirtbike/dual sport. I'm almost 6 foot and have to tip-toe. | ||
| Thumper74 |
My buddy Jerry is your height and rides a ZX6R. You can do it... | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I'm 5-8 (with a good tail wind) and last night I sat on my bike with socks on and couldn't flat foot. I have a SL. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
but is there a tire manufactuer that makes a lower profile tire? Again, what badlions said: Being able to flat foot isn't worth having a poor handling bike. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Awesome advice guys. I will talk to that suspension shop. I remember seeing a lowering peice that was some weird bracket,http://www.cjnetworks.com/~westtek/ShocBroc.htm West Tek, says it fits all buells!! Also, I wouldve swapped the rear out but check my profile. Custom Paint job, expensive to redo! Thanks guys! Anyone used the West tek peice? All I need as another inch and I'd be friggin clutch. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
All I need as another inch and I'd be friggin clutch. I've been saying that since puberty. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"All I need as another inch and I'd be friggin clutch." That's what she said...badada badada bum bing. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"Being able to flat foot isn't worth having a poor handling bike." That is the right way to look at it. I'd just buy some damn Harley boots, get used to riding with them, and be done with it. Hell you could probably buy some hiking boots with thicker soles. | ||
| New12r |
Edited to remove statement that was already adressed. (Message edited by new12r on September 26, 2008) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
New12r, just use the "delete" button. Second icon from the left on the top right of each post. It works within the first 60 minutes I believe. | ||
| Wardan123 |
You being 22 and still bulletproof (at least I was then - or I thought I was) may want to consider removing all padding and fiberglassing your seat pan like some of the racers do. Some places sell the closed cell foam for "comfort" to go on top, but a tough young buck like yourself may not need that. You'd be almost assured to gain a couple of inches and the you could paint it to complement your bike. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Like So:  | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Mike, I can't see the pictures at work, its weird. Why would I have to fiberglass my seat pan? Couldn'rt I just rip out some padding? I don't wanna completley screw my seat though, I mean, it wont fall apart or crack if the paddings removeed/minimized will it? After reading this I was hoping I could do a little bit of each thing and get another inch, or close to. A tiny bit of "sag" like yall said earlier, some padding removed and maybe adjusting the rear shock. I'd be content with 6/8's of a nother inch. Thanks again guys! I emailed Westek but there email don't work, gotta call after work I guess. This lowering thing is a money pit, maybe I shoulda gotten a Blast to begin with....nah. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I don't think there's much padding in the OEM firebolt seat to begin with. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd be really suprised if you could get a 1/2" outa there. I'd vote to just get used to it, I tend to just put one foot down, that way you can shift to that side and easily flat foot. (Message edited by Mikef5000 on September 26, 2008) | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I think it's time to HTFU and just deal with it. That's just me. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
HTFU?? I get the TFU part, but the H?!? Thanks for the advice guys. I'mma look at it when i get home from work today. See if I can't screw with settings per the owners manual and get a little give outta it. Also gonna look to take some junk outta the seat. Will also call Westek and talk to them. Thanks, you guys are awesome! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
HTFU! You don't know what HTFU means? You must be new to these parts! It's the most popular phrase on Badweb since Douche canoe (which followed Okra). HTFU = Hold the F@ck up! (Or Harden the F@ck up!) (Message edited by Mikef5000 on September 26, 2008) | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Nah, guess I don't. I don't remember projectin an urgent tone in my posts, guess I did? My bad. Anyways, I'll call Westek and screw with the seat, guess thats all I can do. Or look into swapping tailwork, even though the paint is gonna a be biznitch cuz to my current custom job. Thanks | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Actually I thought it was Harden TFU |
