Author Topic: I'm short... (Read 4126 times)

morpheus991 · « **on:** March 06, 2010, 04:06:14 PM »

so maybe I'm a little short....Anyway, I'm 5'6 with 29' inseam. Oh, and yes, I have a 750

I've had it for over a year and I've been reading through some posts about lowering the bikes. Is it a terrible idea to just lower the front end a little bit in hopes of both of my heels touching the ground at a stop? I know I should ideally lower the front and back equally but hey, not only am I short, but I'm short on cash too. I know it would probably change the handling characteristics but by how much and how? Sharper turns? Thanks.

Honda? · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:15:23 PM »

I would have work done to the seat to make it a little more narrow or short before I mess with the geometry of the bike.

Or platform shoes.

HondaMan · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:27:01 PM »

Quote from: morpheus991 on March 06, 2010, 04:06:14 PM

so maybe I'm a little short....Anyway, I'm 5'6 with 29' inseam. Oh, and yes, I have a 750 I've had it for over a year and I've been reading through some posts about lowering the bikes. Is it a terrible idea to just lower the front end a little bit in hopes of both of my heels touching the ground at a stop? I know I should ideally lower the front and back equally but hey, not only am I short, but I'm short on cash too. I know it would probably change the handling characteristics but by how much and how? Sharper turns? Thanks.

If you install CB550 rear shocks (11.5" long) and lower the front fork tube about 3/4" in the clamps, you'll like the results. That's what I did for the bike on teh cover of my book: the rider is 5'6" with a 28" inseam and he can get one foot flat and the other almost so with 4.00 x 18 rear tire and 3.25 x 19 front.

morpheus991 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2010, 04:43:27 PM »

Quote from: Honda? on March 06, 2010, 04:15:23 PM

I would have work done to the seat to make it a little more narrow or short before I mess with the geometry of the bike.

Or platform shoes.

well I've tried the high heels but they cramp my pinky toe and I can't walk straight, JK. But when I'm wearing boots I only need about an inch or so for my heels to hit. I've gotten used to the height and hiding my lack of it by resting one foot on the ground and one on a rearset.

I'm eventually going to replace the rear shocks but I have to save up a bit first. I was just thinking until then I could do a free little fix. Sharper turns couldn't hurt either...

dusterdude · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2010, 05:56:39 PM »

i bought a set of 11 inch shocks off ebay a few years ago,they were for a yamaha of some sort,they work fine and no handling issues

OApb · « **Reply #5 on:** March 06, 2010, 06:50:24 PM »

i bought some of the cyclex shorty shocks (only $69 i believe) they are real nice, look stock and havent run into any issues. I have a 29" inseam and it definitly helped. i also bought a cafe seat and putting a little less padding on it as well as lowering the front a tad. anything to help my short legs

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2010, 08:38:16 PM »

Quote from: HondaMan on March 06, 2010, 04:27:01 PM

Quote from: morpheus991 on March 06, 2010, 04:06:14 PM
so maybe I'm a little short....Anyway, I'm 5'6 with 29' inseam. Oh, and yes, I have a 750 I've had it for over a year and I've been reading through some posts about lowering the bikes. Is it a terrible idea to just lower the front end a little bit in hopes of both of my heels touching the ground at a stop? I know I should ideally lower the front and back equally but hey, not only am I short, but I'm short on cash too. I know it would probably change the handling characteristics but by how much and how? Sharper turns? Thanks.

If you install CB550 rear shocks (11.5" long) and lower the front fork tube about 3/4" in the clamps, you'll like the results. That's what I did for the bike on teh cover of my book: the rider is 5'6" with a 28" inseam and he can get one foot flat and the other almost so with 4.00 x 18 rear tire and 3.25 x 19 front.

Out of curiousity, did you have to do anything with the kickstand? Had a guy at work lower his crotchrocket and it stood straight up. It would literally blow over in a strong wind...

HondaMan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2010, 09:23:44 PM »

Quote from: fmctm1sw on March 06, 2010, 08:38:16 PM

Quote from: HondaMan on March 06, 2010, 04:27:01 PM
Quote from: morpheus991 on March 06, 2010, 04:06:14 PM
so maybe I'm a little short....Anyway, I'm 5'6 with 29' inseam. Oh, and yes, I have a 750 I've had it for over a year and I've been reading through some posts about lowering the bikes. Is it a terrible idea to just lower the front end a little bit in hopes of both of my heels touching the ground at a stop? I know I should ideally lower the front and back equally but hey, not only am I short, but I'm short on cash too. I know it would probably change the handling characteristics but by how much and how? Sharper turns? Thanks.

If you install CB550 rear shocks (11.5" long) and lower the front fork tube about 3/4" in the clamps, you'll like the results. That's what I did for the bike on teh cover of my book: the rider is 5'6" with a 28" inseam and he can get one foot flat and the other almost so with 4.00 x 18 rear tire and 3.25 x 19 front.

Out of curiousity, did you have to do anything with the kickstand? Had a guy at work lower his crotchrocket and it stood straight up. It would literally blow over in a strong wind...

On the 750, you can spread the"fingers" where the kickstand pivots, just a little, then it will lean further over. It only takes about 1mm / 0.040" of spread to make it lean over an additional 6".

Frostyboy · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2010, 11:50:18 PM »

Quote from: morpheus991 on March 06, 2010, 04:06:14 PM

so maybe I'm a little short....Anyway, I'm 5'6

Short? You call that short? How do you reckon I feel at 5'2?
Sometimes I feel like that bloke on 'Laugh In' who used to fall over on his tricycle.
I've got new rear shocks to put on that will give 1/2 an inch improvement, but just look for the bike that looks like it's on the side stand at the red light!!! That'll be me.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:47:38 AM »

Jesus Frosty, so that is a picture of you on the red bike in your sig line......

Mick

Frostyboy · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2010, 04:31:37 AM »

Yeah Mick, the yellow bit's my helmet & hi vis sleeves. It's a good thing I can laugh about myself, I'm immune to short jokes as you can probably tell.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2010, 02:55:00 PM »

Quote from: Frostyboy on March 07, 2010, 04:31:37 AM

Yeah Mick, the yellow bit's my helmet & hi vis sleeves. It's a good thing I can laugh about myself, I'm immune to short jokes as you can probably tell.

My wife and my daughter are both short and i am no monster either.....just remember, good things come in small packages....

Mick

CB500_k2 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:17:56 PM »

Just another vertically challenged person commenting. I am 5'5 and have learned over the years to just accept the sad reality that both feet will not flat foot at a stop except with my CB400F. I have tried short shocks on my CB500 but they cut the bike clearance so I got metal grinding the pavement on hard turns. I put some standard length Boge shocks and now have a much better performing machine.

Once you are over walking speed you only need feet to shift and brake any way.

BobbyR · « **Reply #13 on:** March 07, 2010, 03:38:54 PM »

I am 5' 8" so I feel your pain. I did lower the forks in the clamps for a while, i did not care for it. I just sorta put up with it now.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2010, 04:19:13 PM »

5 foot 4 here and pleased to know all my legs are almost the same length. CB550f and I find it fine. I think my inside leg is 28" Best laugh was my 6foot 2 inch friends XL500 which he had raised to full height, great until traffic lights.

chadbenson · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2010, 05:19:15 PM »

5'5" here, working on getting a '76 550k running again and yeah I can only tippy toe it. But I'm comfortably balancing on one foot or the other. Not a big deal at all. I'm probably going to ride it stock for awhile (if it runs) before maybe going to the shorty shocks. The stock ones on mine are 13" inches. Not sure if I want to cut into the seat right yet......

scottly · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2010, 06:25:21 PM »

I'm 5'8 33/64". I worked with a bunch of folks ranging from 6'1" to 6'5". I felt like I was in the "Land of the Giants"! One of them was a gal, 6'3" or so. Her boyfriend was maybe 5'4" tops.
Oh, and I should add that I am the "giant" of my family.

HondaMan · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2010, 07:11:17 PM »

Quote from: chadbenson on March 07, 2010, 05:19:15 PM

5'5" here, working on getting a '76 550k running again and yeah I can only tippy toe it. But I'm comfortably balancing on one foot or the other. Not a big deal at all. I'm probably going to ride it stock for awhile (if it runs) before maybe going to the shorty shocks. The stock ones on mine are 13" inches. Not sure if I want to cut into the seat right yet......

Those 13" shocks are 750 length!

dusterdude · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2010, 04:38:06 PM »

Quote from: fmctm1sw on March 06, 2010, 08:38:16 PM

Quote from: HondaMan on March 06, 2010, 04:27:01 PM
Quote from: morpheus991 on March 06, 2010, 04:06:14 PM
so maybe I'm a little short....Anyway, I'm 5'6 with 29' inseam. Oh, and yes, I have a 750 I've had it for over a year and I've been reading through some posts about lowering the bikes. Is it a terrible idea to just lower the front end a little bit in hopes of both of my heels touching the ground at a stop? I know I should ideally lower the front and back equally but hey, not only am I short, but I'm short on cash too. I know it would probably change the handling characteristics but by how much and how? Sharper turns? Thanks.

If you install CB550 rear shocks (11.5" long) and lower the front fork tube about 3/4" in the clamps, you'll like the results. That's what I did for the bike on teh cover of my book: the rider is 5'6" with a 28" inseam and he can get one foot flat and the other almost so with 4.00 x 18 rear tire and 3.25 x 19 front.

Out of curiousity, did you have to do anything with the kickstand? Had a guy at work lower his crotchrocket and it stood straight up. It would literally blow over in a strong wind...

no,actually it was a bit short when i had the stock shocks on it.

Frostyboy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2010, 12:48:21 AM »

I didn't know if I should put this in "What did you do to your bike today?" but I thought this thread was more appropriate.
I finally went to mount allegedly shorter rear shocks on today, only to find they're actually half an inch LONGER!!!

Not only that, I'm going to have to shim the top mount cos the top bushes aren't as wide as originals, and also shim the lower mounts cos the shocks are a tad wider at the bottom as well. New bolts for the bottom mounts as well, cos originals now only grab about 3 threads.

Lucky for me, I got new boots that might, just might help compensate, but it looks like I'm gonna have to have the seat reworked to get my ar$e closer to the ground.

dave500 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2010, 01:06:19 AM »

yeah so am i,im 5 foot four,weigh 75 kilos,i dropped my cb 500 forks till they near touch the bars,i did that for slightly quicker turns,i like it,i have hagon rear shocks,i dont do much city riding ,but im comfy at stop lights with one foot down,ive spent most of my riding life on dirt bikes,yammy ITs,didnt really affect my riding at all,,i wouldnt like to ride one regularly on the road though.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2010, 01:12:30 AM »

not sure how much taller the 750 is than the 650, but I'm 5'4" with a 31" inseam, 50 kilos and I just ended up using CycleX 11" shocks and cutting/welding the side stand. I can now flat-foot the bike pretty decently. I don't ride my bike hard or really lean into corners enough to drag things, so the lower shocks have worked well for me. On a 650 you can't drop the fork tubes through the tree much (handlebar clearance) so it turns a little slower than most, maybe, but I like it. I ride my bike to relax, anyway.

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Author Topic: I'm short... (Read 4126 times)