lowering links

[VE258]

Can one use side stad from S rather than dealing with cutting/welding original X side stand? Or they are same length?
Thank you!

 

[kenb]

Thanks Original Rocket that is the info I wanted, I want it to be as easy as possible to use the centre stand [back problem] I
will go with the S stand, if it's marginal I will add some packers to the feet easier than shortening an X stand.
Kenb.

 

[VE258]

We have a water-jet at work that I can have a buddy cut lowering links out of Stainless Steel plate.
Do you have any dimensional specs on the link you made. Specifically the distance between the center of the bolt holes.

i have same question to Mick-what is the distance between the center of the bolt holes for 20mm drop? 10 mm? can anyone post the incremental steps(approximate) for every 10 mm drop?

Thank you!

 

[VE258]

I'll have a free afternoon tomorrow and I'm dare to try make my own links out of regular steel flat bar that they sell at lowes. 1/4-1 1/2 wide. Drill the holes, cut them out , paint etc. Old school no fancy laser cutters or stainless steel (cause I don't have any)
I've found on some UK forum that 150 mm between holes will give you a 40mm drop, all I need is 10-20mm max. Because i don't want to mess with sidestand. original distance is 133 mm or so-each 4.25mm between centers on link should give me 10 mm drop. 1/4" or 6.35mm thick should be strong enough for a little guy like me (150 lb w/o any plans of some crazy off roads)
But I do have some questions: anyone knows torque specs? How do I install those links?I don't have center stand, only side stand, car jack and a pair of car jack stands. I've read that w/o centerstand you have to do some crazy ###like suspend the bike and hang it to a ceiling???
KenB setup with a bar into the holes for a centerstand is nice. Was it enough? Did the bike stable enough?
Thank you!

 

[VE258]

as expected 4.25mm longer link did provide a drop for 1/2". i measured from the top of the caliper to the plastic clip above it,while bike was on side stand.

i did not notice any big changes in angle of the bike on center stand. doubt that i have to drop the front on such small change. i also made another pair with next increment-9.5mm longer than original,but didn't tried yet.
the short one might be enough.both feet are on the ground now.

my only concern\question is-there is a small gap between(see pic below) between link and bearing,that was inside. if you smash the bolt with a hammer or mallet-it will shift to the other side. it is suppose to be like this? some free play? i guess it's suppose to be,otherwise-how they are going to move,right?

clueless, about what to expect or what i'm doing i set up a triple protection just in case. i placed a car jack stand under arm,used stand from HF,and on top of that-secured the bike with tie down straps
a bit overkill,but better be safe than sorry...
might be useful for those,who is installing links without center stand. using KenB idea-i placed a ratchet thru the center stand holes and lift the bike using a car jack(loose the bolts on links first!)

 

[dlare]

I lowered mine a little over an inch. Then i bought a CTX700 side stand on eBay to replace the stock NC700 side stand.
The CTX700 stand is a little shorter and seems to give mine about the right amount of lean.

Dean

 

[VE258]

I lowered mine a little over an inch. Then i bought a CTX700 side stand on eBay to replace the stock NC700 side stand.
The CTX700 stand is a little shorter and seems to give mine about the right amount of lean.

Dean

you are mind reader!
Thanks for the info!
i was looking at it, just couple days ago at procaliber website,comparing CTX and NC stands,and it looks like it would fit perfectly.
my only concern was the switch, which looks a bit different from NC,but thanks for a conformation! ordering one now.
what about spring? do i need one from CTX or spring from NC will work?

Thanks!

 

[DirtFlier]

I have a pair of Kouba Links for sale in the Bike Parts for Sale section of the Forum and just now lowered the price from $50 to $40, including free shipping to any US address.

Send me a PM if you're interested.

 

[dlare]

you are mind reader!
Thanks for the info!
i was looking at it, just couple days ago at procaliber website,comparing CTX and NC stands,and it looks like it would fit perfectly.
my only concern was the switch, which looks a bit different from NC,but thanks for a conformation! ordering one now.
what about spring? do i need one from CTX or spring from NC will work?

Thanks!

I used the NC spring.


Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[VE258]

Thanks Dlare!
the one i've ordered from ebay comes with CTX's OEM spring

DirtFlier- i made my own (see my previous posts here) long time ago and they worked very well (it's two pieces of metal with 2 holes in each,nothing special about it)
but i don't like the position of the bike on side stand after that (almost vertical) and i'm not sure how much to cut and i don't want to cut and weld again OEM stand anyway, so CTX's would be a perfect solution!

Thanks guys!

 

[VE258]

didn't work for me. way too low. i need something in the middle between OEM and CTX's

attaching\uploading pictures is a royal pain for 21 century website\forum.