WTB raising links (with advice)

[ThunderC]

My buddy FluxMaven and I were looking at my bike over the weekend and we noticed that my bike has LOWERING LINKS. I'm 6'4

After riding his GS I determined that it would be much more comfortable to get rid of these.

Since he is shorter we discussed switching links. He has a 90s 500e and I have an '07 500f. Would this be possible?

I've also been looking into buying links or raising links. Any recommended places to find them? What size is stock and what size would you recommend?

Thanks!

[burning1]

As far as I know, there are no changes to the dog-bones on the GS across the entire production run of the bike. The linkage was changed from a cast aluminum piece to a welded steel piece in 91 or so, but the geometry is the same for both parts.

There's a person selling GS500 raising links on ebay.

I'd strongly advise you to replace the lowering links with normal linkage... Lowing links really compromise handling on a bike.

I'd advise against raising the bike significantly (more than 20mm or so.) Your comfort is a factor of the seat, pegs, and bars. Raising the bike up won't really help there. Adding some padding to the seat and changing bars will.

If you're a heavy guy, I would recommend upgrading the suspension. R6 or Kat 750 shock, plus springs will make a huge difference in how the bike handles, and how comfortable it is for you on the bouncy stuff.

[SAFE-T]

No reason why you can't swap the links straight across. Ironically, lowering links are longer than stock. Also, keep in mind that changing them does have a (small) effect on the rising rate of the shock. Putting in a longer link lowers the bike and increases the rising rate.

[SAFE-T]

Posted while I was, but I agree ~ if you want to raise your GS a bit look at a Katana shock which is longer and has a heavier spring. Using shorter links to increase the rear ride height of the GS will actually decrease the rising rate of the rear shock, making it 'softer' than it is now. Probably not what you want if you are a bigger person on a GS500. 

[SAFE-T]

Lowering links compromise handling to a degree, but only at the higher end of performance ~ speeds at which you really shouldn't be going on public roadways to begin with. I ride The Pace and almost never exceed the speed limit + 50%, and I never had a problem on my wife's 2007 GS500F that I lowered 1.5" for her. We also kept the rear shock preload on '1' so it would squat as much as possible when sitting on it so she could get more of her foot on the ground at a stop.

[burning1]

Well... Lowering the rear end in isolation tends to rake out the front end, and load up the rear shock, which isn't really what you want when the shock is already too soft for your weight. Loading it up tends to make the geometry less stable as well.

AFAIK, the Kat 600 and 750 shocks are identical to stock length... But the stiffer spring tends to make the bike ride higher in it's range of travel.

[SAFE-T]

We lowered the front end 1.25" to try and match the rear drop as much as possible and retain close to stock geometry ~ I'm sure I recall reading on this forum that the steering head geometry on the GS500 was altered in it's makeover in 2001.

[SAFE-T]

At any rate, I thought the steering felt slightly slower but nothing significant, however I don't go charging into corners on the brakes and gas it as hard as I can on the way out, or trail brake for that matter. I never felt the front or rear do anything odd. As I interpret and apply it, The Pace is not about going slow, but finding the proper gear and speed for a corner without using your brakes.

[ThunderC]

As far as I know, there are no changes to the dog-bones on the GS across the entire production run of the bike. The linkage was changed from a cast aluminum piece to a welded steel piece in 91 or so, but the geometry is the same for both parts.

There's a person selling GS500 raising links on ebay.

I'd strongly advise you to replace the lowering links with normal linkage... Lowing links really compromise handling on a bike.

I'd advise against raising the bike significantly (more than 20mm or so.) Your comfort is a factor of the seat, pegs, and bars. Raising the bike up won't really help there. Adding some padding to the seat and changing bars will.

If you're a heavy guy, I would recommend upgrading the suspension. R6 or Kat 750 shock, plus springs will make a huge difference in how the bike handles, and how comfortable it is for you on the bouncy stuff.

What size links should I get to return to stock height? Also, what size would you recommend for jut a bit of lift?

I'm not particularly heavy - about 165lbs.

[SAFE-T]

Why don't you just trade your longer links for FluxMaven's stock ones ? That will bring you back to stock height for sure ~ no guessing involved.

[SAFE-T]

According to http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock "the Katana shock will raise the tail end of the GS up about 1/2"-3/4" due to the longer length of the shock and the stiffer spring rate not allowing as much sag."

[Flux Maven]

I can swap you my links and we can both throw on some new shocks at the same time to stiffen it up for when we are racing to lawrence or when you have a fat chick on the back. 

[burning1]

We lowered the front end 1.25" to try and match the rear drop as much as possible and retain close to stock geometry ~ I'm sure I recall reading on this forum that the steering head geometry on the GS500 was altered in it's makeover in 2001.

Interesting. Got a link? Any additional info? The GS is raked out more than I like. If they shortened it, I might be in the market for an 01 frame.

[adidasguy]

For what its worth, as a parts whore with parts from 1989-2009, the links are the same.
You can swap them.
There was a change in the shock and knuckle from 1990 to later years. Details are here in case you want to know: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=59663.msg684424#msg684424

Burning is correct in raising the rear does not affect the riding position. It only affects putting your feet on the ground and handling.

Riding position is seat to handlebars to pegs and all are fixed on the frame. If tall, pad the seat, change pegs, change bar position.

[adidasguy]

We lowered the front end 1.25" to try and match the rear drop as much as possible and retain close to stock geometry ~ I'm sure I recall reading on this forum that the steering head geometry on the GS500 was altered in it's makeover in 2001.

Interesting. Got a link? Any additional info? The GS is raked out more than I like. If they shortened it, I might be in the market for an 01 frame.

I have not seen this in the Bike Cave. I have bikes I can measure side by side.
Something is different because the side stand is shorter. Center stand is the same. Swing arm, knuckle, shock all the same. Engines can be swapped so that area is the same.

I'm going to do some measurements to see why the side stand is shorter on newer bikes. That will discover if the rake is different. I do not think it is - I jump from 92 to 94 to 2009 and do not notice a difference. I know the triples are compatible meaning steering stem is same. I doubt there is a difference in the angle.

The tail is higher with the new rear plastics, though the frame is the same except for some fasteners for the rear plastics and tail light. Seat is same mounting location. Maybe with the higher tail,  design, they lowered the rear a little? I can measure that this weekend.

UPDATE:
Now I am confused.
Older bikes:
Caster 64* 30'
Trail 95mm
Steering angle 35*

2004 Supplement Specifications
Caster 25* 30'
Trail 97mm
Steering angle 35*

Further reading - the CASTER changed from 64* to 25* in 1997. WTF? What is this? Could they be measuring it in the opposite direction in 89-96 specs? Seems that way as 64* 30' is the opposite of 25* 30'? If that is the case, then nothing really changed in the steering.

Can someone explain what this means? I get confused reading about CASTER and STEERING ANGLE.