What is the best way to lower the rear end of an '81 Honda CX500D?

Question

I have an '81 Honda CX500D motorcycle I would feel more comfortable riding if it were two inches lower. I have the shocks adjusted to their lowest setting and I cut 3" of foam out of the seat. I've talked to a few people about lowering the rear end and so far have gotten mostly negative responses about it because it is shaft driven. The bike won't have a heavier load weight than just myself (150 lbs.) and maybe a small bag. I don't know if I should use shorter shocks and springs, or if there is an adjustment kit for this model. Can anyone tell me if they've done it, how they did it, and what the result was? Thanks, Juli

Answer 1

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/tech/lower_cruiser/

That will give you some alternate ideas. But what you really need are "lowering blocks".
--Here's a picture of what they look like ("rear lowering kits").
http://www.cyclewareables.com/pages/street_motorcycle_lowering_kits/lowering_kits.htm
--The wide end mounts where your shocks would on the swing arm. The block points to the rear of the bike. The threaded bolt is where your shock mounts to.
--If you can't find them on the web (I doubt you will because the bike is old), Try searching ebay (the bike was only made a few years, so I don't think you'll have much luck there either).
--Your best bet would be to make them yourself, or get a metal shop to make them for you.
Print out a picture.
Measure the width of your shock's lower mounting hole and the diameter of the hole of the shock.
Measure the distance from the bottom of the hole on the shock mount, to the swingarm.
The lowering block doesn't need that fancy shape, they were just a rectangular piece of metal.
--Take a chance and buy these. When Honda designs something that works (in this case, the R shock mount size and shape), they usuall continue to use that design until something totally new comes along, like single shock suspension.
--You might be able to modify these to fit your bike if they dont. Also they would be good to have in hand when asking someone to make them for you.
Good luck.

"strech", I checked JC Whitney and they have them.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/StoreCatalogDisplay/c-10111/s-10101
Go to - Suspension

Answer 2

you can put shorter rear shocks on but you must all so drop the forks through the yokes if you just lower the back end it alters the staring geometry and causes understear all set up is a compromise just keep experimenting but only make one change at a time so you have a Base line you start from and go back to if things go wrong! just drooping the forks 1mm can have a big effect on the way a bike feels I have never worked on the old Margot! but I used to work as a Tyre technician and on suspension setup on race bikes! You can put shorter shoks on but if you have the oruganal ones shortend make sure it is done by a pro annd it wil have an efect on ground clerance!

Answer 3

i actually did lower a 1982 CX500D for a friend of mine. it worked fine. we put shorter shocks on the rear and raised the fork tubes a bit in the fork clamps. two issues arose, the kickstand was then too long and the bike would actually fall over if you tried to use it. The other problem was that then we just used the center stand to park the bike, but it was much more difficult to get it on the center stand as the geometry had changed. other than that it was fine.

Answer 4

One way is to get a set of shock lowering blocks.(try J C Whitney, J P Cycles, etc)
They are basically a pair of blocks of steel or aluminum with a hole at each end.
Jack up the bike to take the weight off, unbolt lower shock bolt, bolt one end of block to this hole, bolt lower end of shock in other hole in block.
This moves the lower end of the shock aft, which will change the angle of the shock, and because of this, make the ride softer, but might also make it mushier.

Answer 5

The best way to lower your bike is lowering the shocks. If you can use a spanner wrench to drag them down that would be great. Or you can lower it some by running a Continental Blitz rear tire or you can check at some aftermarket motorcycle shops for a lowering kit.

Answer 6

Its is unquestionably no longer a ask your self. shocks do no longer influence trip top in any respect they are in basic terms there to soak up highway irregularities so the in all probability reason would be a broken coil spring which i strongly advise no longer making use of on because it could have a pull that may not be controllable. get it towed and caught in a save. and don't purchase junk backyard you're greater desirable off procuring new with a guaranty and that they'll final plenty longer.

Answer 7

change the height of the bike and you change the geometry it rides at. steering will change and sidestand height will change, centerstand as well. it would be best to get some riding boots with taller heels. keep the bike simple and oem. once you go about changing the height you change a lot on it. at a light, all you need is one leg down right? you can do it.

Answer 8

Doesn't that bike have an air shock? If so, let some air out. I think the air fitting is under the seat.

Answer 9

Let the air out of the tire.