FZ6 lowering kit

[singlesktr]

I am 65 years old, and trying to balance a heavy fz6 sportbike using only my toes. Does anyone know how to modify/lower the total height of an Fz6? I checked out modifying the thickness of the seat, and it was not enough. I need to lower the bike an inch or two.
my inseam is 30 inches, and the seat height is 33 inches. I am also interested in replacing the diving front forks, which may or may not help lower the front, but lowering the rear frame, I have no idea. I was told it can't be done. I love the Fz6 - best bike ever. It's an R6 that can be modified to tour! After dropping her 3 times i sold it.
Why so tall??

 

[bryancraftyhands]

Look up lowering links. The rear of most bikes is usually lowered by an attachment that is usually shaped like a dog bone. I did a quick search and it looks like something is available, but not the shape I'm used to seeing.
I believe the front is basically just done by letting the fork tubes through the triple clamp the desired amount to an extent. If done past a certain point, you may need to change your handlebar arrangement. Clips-ons may be an option at that point, or you may need to find shorter tubes altogether which could affect your travel length.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

You'll also very likely have to shorten your side stand as well.

 

[Ottys4]

I am 65 years old, and trying to balance a heavy fz6 sportbike using only my toes. Does anyone know how to modify/lower the total height of an Fz6? I checked out modifying the thickness of the seat, and it was not enough. I need to lower the bike an inch or two.
my inseam is 30 inches, and the seat height is 33 inches. I am also interested in replacing the diving front forks, which may or may not help lower the front, but lowering the rear frame, I have no idea. I was told it can't be done. I love the Fz6 - best bike ever. It's an R6 that can be modified to tour! After dropping her 3 times i sold it.
Why so tall??

Hi I had my fz6 s2 lowered as I had the same issue. I took my bike to Ecosse in Aberdeen about 8 years ago. They changed the bracket that's attached to the rear suspension for a shorter bracket in length [about an inch shorter]
Most of my feet touch the ground, I'm 5'6" with 30" inside leg,
Also I got another side stand and shortened it by 1/2" just so the bike had the same lean when using side stand.
Hope this helps. As love my bike 🏍

 

[Ottys4]

Hi I had my fz6 s2 lowered as I had the same issue. I took my bike to Ecosse in Aberdeen about 8 years ago. They changed the bracket that's attached to the rear suspension for a shorter bracket in length [about an inch shorter]
Most of my feet touch the ground, I'm 5'6" with 30" inside leg,
Also I got another side stand and shortened it by 1/2" just so the bike had the same lean when using side stand.
Hope this helps. As love my bike 🏍

Oh!!! Forgot to say I'm 65, as well

 

[Gary in NJ]

I'm curious what bracket was swapped out. The FZ6 uses a linkless direct mount shock - so the only "brackets" are the lower (which is part of the swingarm casting) and the upper (which is part of the welded frame). None of these mounting points are removable. Was an auxiliary or secondary bracket added to lower the swingarm mount or raise the frame mount? Can you provide a photo that others could benefit from?

 

[Ottys4]

I'm curious what bracket was swapped out. The FZ6 uses a linkless direct mount shock - so the only "brackets" are the lower (which is part of the swingarm casting) and the upper (which is part of the welded frame). None of these mounting points are removable. Was an auxiliary or secondary bracket added to lower the swingarm mount or raise the frame mount? Can you provide a photo that others could benefit from?

Hi Gary

This is the part I received when I picked up my bike from Ecosse Aberdeen. I'd say they changed it to a shorter stem part.
It cost me about £150 8-9years ago
I just assumed it was a part of the rear suspension.

Hope this helps..


Hope this helps,

 

[Gary in NJ]

Yes, that makes sense as there is no way to replace the brackets without cutting and welding. Thanks for the photos too.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

Hi Gary

This is the part I received when I picked up my bike from Ecosse Aberdeen. I'd say they changed it to a shorter stem part.
It cost me about £150 8-9years ago
I just assumed it was a part of the rear suspension.

Hope this helps..
View attachment 93239View attachment 93240View attachment 93241

Hope this helps,

Do you have a measurement in length on that? I had my rear shock pulled apart a couple of years ago to replace the bottom out bumper. That is the part the bottom end connects to the swingarm with. It appears to be the same length from here.

 

[Ottys4]

Hi
I found where this bracket is fitted.
It is at the bottom of the rear shock... if you remove this bracket and replace with the stem an inch shorter this will lower the bike.
See photos and it will explain everything..

Do you have a measurement in length on that? I had my rear shock pulled apart a couple of years ago to replace the bottom out bumper. That is the part the bottom end connects to the swingarm with. It appears to be the same length from here.

I hope this is the sizes you wanted

Do you have a measurement in length on that? I had my rear shock pulled apart a couple of years ago to replace the bottom out bumper. That is the part the bottom end connects to the swingarm with. It appears to be the same length from here.

Hope the photos help with the sizes

 

[Gary in NJ]

Excellent response!

 

[bryancraftyhands]

Hi
I found where this bracket is fitted.
It is at the bottom of the rear shock... if you remove this bracket and replace with the stem an inch shorter this will lower the bike.
See photos and it will explain everything..I hope this is the sizes you wanted. Hope the photos help with the sizes

Like Gary said, Excellent.
I don't have mine apart to take and post pics myself, but I can anyone can now get a measurement on theirs to compare. I will check mine out of curiosity in the next couple of days. it looks like about an even 5mm to the top of the bushing hole on yours.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

I went to attempt to take that measurement, but I don't have a line of site on it being covered between the frame, the spring plate and the tire hugger. Next time I go to take any of that apart I'll try to remember, but that could and hopefully be a long time from now.

 

[Ottys4]

Yes, you will have to take some things apart to take the size.... which is a bummer

 

[bryancraftyhands]

I am not trying to lower mine though. I was just looking for reference to compare to the one you showed. Up until last year or so, I couldn't get an answer if that part was removable when I was replacing my bottom out bumper. I may go in there this year when the weather gets cool and I have some time on my hands to aggravate myself just to give the bushing a grease refresh and maybe install a nipple while at it.

 

[Ottys4]

Hope all goes well when you tackle your jobs

 

[bryancraftyhands]

If only!
I re-did head gaskets on one of my 4 wheeled rides last year. It stopped leaking oil, after I addressed a pitted cam shaft that I didn't see until afterward, but was burning like crazy. I had already did every seal but had to redo valve stem seals again because I knocked an idle air control vacuum line off I didn't see before I first started it, so with everything mostly dry, about half of them popped right back off. I tried some engine cleaner additive to see if I had stuck rings to no avail.
Finally today, while zooming in on some pics I took of while I was doing the work, I noticed one of my oil rings actually peeking out from between the piston and cylinder wall. Now I know what I'll definitely be doing in the coming months. Already started shopping for rings and new gaskets, again. Maybe I'll hit that shock while I'm waiting for parts to arrive.

 

[Senior]

If you do lower the FZ6 with the shortened shock link then don't forget to shorten the side stand and slide the forks up through the yoke. Also it's worth noting that the centre stand will be longer than necessary and more effort is needed to lift he bike up on to it., which I did look into doing (figured out what to cut/sleeve and reweld) but never got around to it )

This lowering kit is available in UK https://www.wemoto.com/bike/yamaha/fz6s/600/2005/27200/rear-suspension-lowering-kit

Mine was already lowered when I got it in 2008 - currently on 67K miles, it still rides really well.

Fork legs are up 22mm


Original Shock Link length (I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLEY HOW MUCH SHORTER MY SHOCK LINK IS AS IT WAS ALREADY FITTED WHEN I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE)


Shortened Side Stand


Original Side Stand



Side view shows pretty well how much lowered it is.

 

[bryancraftyhands]

Original Shock Link length (I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLEY HOW MUCH SHORTER MY SHOCK LINK IS AS IT WAS ALREADY FITTED WHEN I PURCHASED THE MOTORCYCLE)

If I am looking at this correctly, you are saying this is your original length shock link, and it is also about 5 centimeters from the top of the bushing hole? That is about the same as the shortened on shown in the other pic. I am now confused.