How low is low?

From basic novice to the hard core cutomizing. Sharing tips, tricks and knowledge. Feel
free to ask question or give us your "2 cents".

Moderators: sunnbobb, Neil, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
Wangthang
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 369
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:30 pm
Location: South Carolina

How low is low?

#1

Post by Wangthang »

From what i understand the gl doesn't have the greatest clearance for rolling thru curves. I've decided to make some rear struts. What would be a good length to maintain safety, and be as low as possible? I rarely scrape unless I'm in the mountains. Hold the "struts suck stuff", i got bikes with shocks.
1977 Gl 1000
1976 F1 750 SS
1973 Ironhead chopper
2007 Road King
1974 dohc 450 chopper project
1976 Gl 1000 parts bike
600rr parts bike
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

Re: How low is low?

#2

Post by CYBORG »

I would be concerned about the angle of the drive shaft. And the biggest problem is the stock exhaust dragging. Raising the exhaust would be safer, and not create such a harsh ride
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: How low is low?

#3

Post by robin1731 »

Yeah, struts and cornering don't go together real well. Like Cyborg said move the exhaust up, maybe loose the center stand, and move the driver pegs up and back.

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
Wangthang
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 369
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:30 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: How low is low?

#4

Post by Wangthang »

Question of the day? So if an 11" shorty shock will work on a gl, shouldn't i he able to run a 10" strut? The shock comperssion of a shorty shock has to figure in somewhere. So other than harsh ride, cornering clearance is an issue. I already removed the center stand, raising the pegs pegs is doable, i can raise the muffler but the header is set. So 10 " struts?
1977 Gl 1000
1976 F1 750 SS
1973 Ironhead chopper
2007 Road King
1974 dohc 450 chopper project
1976 Gl 1000 parts bike
600rr parts bike
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36850
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

Re: How low is low?

#5

Post by Whiskerfish »

I had 11" shocks on my 75 for as while with the 4 into 1 header pipe. It was a real problem with ground clearance. In town it would hit on modest corners and going up the slight rise in the driveway. It was unusable in the twisties.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
User avatar
ericheath
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 9580
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manituba

Re: How low is low?

#6

Post by ericheath »

Pegs are designed to scrape first and make you check you life insurance policies.

With the wider 1200 engine in a 77 frame and a slight rake in the front, I laid mine over in the garage and I thought the valve covers or case guards would hit first. Mine is lowered in the back by moving the 1100 rear shocks further rearward a few inches(3+”) I can raise the front forks four inches, but I prefer the bike to be level. It has shorter exhaust and no center stand. I’m not a twisty rider and have seldom scraped the pegs.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
low-side
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 569
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:00 pm
Location: Canton, Ohio

Re: How low is low?

#7

Post by low-side »

To elaborate on Cyborg's point about the u-joint in the drive shaft, u-joints need to change angle and run at a certain angle in order to spread their lubricant around the bearing. I doubt it will last long nearly straight and in a fixed position.
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: How low is low?

#8

Post by robin1731 »

Forget the stiff ride. With struts the handling in corners will not be very good. Think about going around a curve and it having a series of bumps. Instead of a shock compressing to take the "shock" the whole bike takes it. The tire won't give enough to make any difference. You may very well end up sliding through that curve even taking it somewhat slow.

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
User avatar
Track T 2411
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 8482
Joined: Thu May 29, 2008 9:37 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Track+T+2411/
Location: Prairie du Sac Wisconsin

Re: How low is low?

#9

Post by Track T 2411 »

I think it would be pretty easy to figure out (but I've never done it myself). Ride the bike and get a feel for what's a comfortable lean angle for you, then compare that with the static lean angle. You can easily make up some 'temporary' struts to check out various length-to-lean angle ratios and statically test them.
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

"He that is good with a hammer tends to think everything is a nail" - Abraham Maslow

"If you can't take the time to do it right the first time, how are you ever going to find the time to do it over?" -Unknown

Current Rides:
'Grumpy' - '81 Standard, now fully dressed.
'Layla' - '81 Standard w/dealer installed fairing and Hondaline bags.
'Scarlett' '76 'Survivor' nekkid as a j-bird!

Under Construction:
The 'Jalopy' '78-'79 Mash-up
'Quikie' '81 gl1100I back on the lift, project with the step-son!

In The Shed:
'81 gl1100I barn find aka "Josie, the farmer's daughter." (almost comatose build)
'77 gl1000, roller parts bike.
'82 gl1100I, 'Old Crusty' titled roller parts bike (free!)
'82 gl1100I, My first 'Wing, and an expensive lesson!
New2U Bike? Read Me.
User avatar
Fred Camper
Vice President
Vice President
Posts: 6889
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 9:38 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/Jeff+Bozeman/
Location: Metro Detroit
Contact:

Re: How low is low?

#10

Post by Fred Camper »

Center stand is the first drag on mine. So nice you removed that first. I too think a stiff rear would break loose early in the curves as a divot in a corner will lift a tire on a strut that a shock would absorb and keep the tire in contact.
Proud member of the NGW Cartel (Rochester MI)
1977 GL1000 BADDOG (April 2012 BOTM)
1976 LTD - '993 LTD...and so it begins'

You should remember that it's peace of mind you're after and not just fixing the machine. R.Pirsig
User avatar
HOTT
Run Executive
Run Executive
Posts: 3251
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:48 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery3/index.php/wingmans/HOTT
Location: Spring,TX
Contact:

Re: How low is low?

#11

Post by HOTT »

Wangthang wrote:Question of the day? So if an 11" shorty shock will work on a gl...
It seems you answered the title question. If you are shortening shocks and even shorter struts.. you are too low.
Now it is a question of how much you are willing to give up in safety and performance. I get low riding stance and look (I even get a hard tail), but it comes with a price. Sometimes it's fixed with a saw and a torch. :twisted:

HOTT
If we can't fix it, we can fix it so no one else can.
the Condor BOTY 2011
Ol' Sparky BOTM Dec. 2011
Lucky #13 BOTY 2018
Wangthang
Titanium Member
Titanium Member
Posts: 369
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:30 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: How low is low?

#12

Post by Wangthang »

Ordered the 11" shorty shocks. Still gonna make a pair of 10" struts, for riding in the "ville". Lol
1977 Gl 1000
1976 F1 750 SS
1973 Ironhead chopper
2007 Road King
1974 dohc 450 chopper project
1976 Gl 1000 parts bike
600rr parts bike
Post Reply

Return to “GoldWing UnderGround CustomiZing”