lowering a 961

k110linde · Apr 22, 2023

I have a 2016 MkII 961 that I have put about $7000k on over the past 5 years, so I am very familiar with the bike. My issue is that it is just a little too tall for my frame, and I would like to lower it. The seat is already thin, so I can't lower the seat much which leaves suspension. I know that lowering the suspension can result in handling issues, but can anyone weigh in on whether an inch of lowering would make much difference in handling. Is this a straightforward procedure? thx, Ken

TonyA · Apr 22, 2023

Front could contact the oil cooler to fender if you draw in the fork tubes . USD or RWU ? An inch is A LOT ! Maybe try 3/8 or 1/2 in. . You may have to move the oil cooler . Rear is shorter shocks .

Voodooo · Apr 22, 2023

How did you put $7000 into your bike? Carbon wheels and a new motor?

City Garage · Apr 22, 2023

TonyA said:
Front could contact the oil cooler to fender if you draw in the fork tubes . USD or RWU ? An inch is A LOT ! Maybe try 3/8 or 1/2 in. . You may have to move the oil cooler . Rear is shorter shocks .

Tony is correct. We have done all this on a customer's bike, but it gets expensive fast Shorter rear, but then high-speed bumps don't enjoy the full travel of the right-sized shock.

What front do you have? On a cafe, you can move quite a bit but again like Tony said you get close to the cooler. Otherwise, you can lower the front with springs and move the tubes until they almost touch the bar and then deal with the cooler spacing

On the cooler, a step-up adapter pushes the cooler out and up about an inch if your steering lock is close ratio like many 961 are and then you just need to run new hose from the bottom of the oil pump to the cooler. When we did this we also looked at the possibility of turning the cooler sideways and lowering it between the exhaust and frame and also using a smaller aftermarket cooler from Ultracool which is really small but also has a built-in auto fan.

The stock saddle is not that thin. We have had Corbin make thin, thick etc seats. But again, without knowing your inseam Tony's advice is spot on. Corbin can take the stock pan and work wonders on it.

We have another client who is smaller framed and he had a boot maker add height to his riding boots

So there are many options just what do you want to give up and what do you want to spend?

k110linde · Apr 22, 2023

City Garage said:
Tony is correct. We have done all this on a customer's bike, but it gets expensive fast Shorter rear, but then high-speed bumps don't enjoy the full travel of the right-sized shock.

What front do you have? On a cafe, you can move quite a bit but again like Tony said you get close to the cooler. Otherwise, you can lower the front with springs and move the tubes until they almost touch the bar and then deal with the cooler spacing

On the cooler, a step-up adapter pushes the cooler out and up about an inch if your steering lock is close ratio like many 961 are and then you just need to run new hose from the bottom of the oil pump to the cooler. When we did this we also looked at the possibility of turning the cooler sideways and lowering it between the exhaust and frame and also using a smaller aftermarket cooler from Ultracool which is really small but also has a built-in auto fan.

The stock saddle is not that thin. We have had Corbin make thin, thick etc seats. But again, without knowing your inseam Tony's advice is spot on. Corbin can take the stock pan and work wonders on it.

We have another client who is smaller framed and he had a boot maker add height to his riding boots

So there are many options just what do you want to give up and what do you want to spend?

Thanks for the replies...me not proof reading this morning...that should have said 7000 miles put on the bike not $7000. I think I will send the stock seat to Corbin and see what they can do since that seems the easiest and least costly. I may move the tubes up then if needed and figure out the cooler. That was very helpful "heads up" on this, thx, Ken

lowering a 961

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City Garage

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