[olhogrider]

Today I installed the lowering kit. I'll add pix but they only show as thumbnails. Not sure how to do full size but I guess you can click to make them larger. The Honda has a Pro-Link rear suspension. By connecting the shock through a linkage they are able to tune the performance by the leverage caused by the link. The kit contains two adjustable links. Actually 2 Heim joints with with a turnbuckle connecting them for each link. There is a replacement bolt as the stock one won't work with the new parts. Finally, there is an adjustable sidestand. Without this, your lowered bike would fall over. The stock stand would be too long. The instructions are generic and almost nonexistent.

The muffler has to come off because the bolts come out that side. Remove the heat shields and the one bolt on the bottom fairing. Now you can remove the bolts. How do you keep the bike from falling on the ground with the suspension disconnected? I have a motorcycle jack. It is made for big fat cruisers. I put it under the header pipe. Just enough to support it but not enough to lift the bike off the ground.

After removing the stock link, slip the new links and bolt in place. You reuse one of the bolts. Torque the bolts. Next I installed the sidestand. There is a locknut on the backside. Then the kill switch on the stand must be unbolted by a tiny 8mm bolt. Then the bolt holding the stand on can be removed. You will need a better support system or the bike will fall on you. I used my daughter. Installing the new one is simple except you will have to chose the length before you put the spring on.

Oh, the spring. I used Vice-Grips and stepped on them to remove the spring. To install the spring took Vice Grips and a t-handle Allen wrench. Using both I was able to force the spring with both hands.

I adjusted the links 2 full turns out (longer) which dropped the seat. Finally, I slid the fork tubes up to bring the bike back to level. I should have measured the before and after seat height but I can compare it to a stock one later.

On the test ride everything was fine! No weird handling, no weird noises.

 

[olhogrider]

Install Pix

the pix of the install

 

[Aufitt]

Great description and pics.

Can the link alone be used to also raise/fine tune the right height so that I dont have to run such a high preload setting (too little sag).

 

[olhogrider]

All the way retracted is about the stock length. That said, there is nothing preventing you from cutting to whatever suits you. Remember, extending the link lowers the bike. Sounds like you really need a stiffer spring. Also I know of no way of raising the forks besides longer fork tubes. Raising the back and leaving the front could adversely effect the handling.

 

[GoBigRed]

Thanks for the write up, it has been very helpful with my not-yet completed install. I just installed the adjustable kickstand. I used a slightly different procedure for connecting the spring. I used a clamp to hold the kickstand in the up position (doesn't take much). In this position, the spring only needs to extend about 1/2" to be mounted. The bike was on a jack set up perpendicular to the bike. The back side of the back arm of the jack was just about at the end of the new kickstand, but slightly lower (again this was perpendicular to the kickstand). Grab the end of the spring with vice-locks, then I used the edge of the jack arm as a fulcrum and pushed down on the handle end of the Vise-grips to extend the spring. Then I just had to push it onto the new mount.
I actually held a small piece of 1x1 on the side of the jack arm, to get better leverage and it worked very easily.

 

[Jme250RA]

nice write up and pics.

 

[GoBigRed]

My husband and I can't get the rear bolt and nut on the original linkage loose. Any suggestions?