increasing max weight limit

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ichijou
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increasing max weight limit

#1 Unread post by ichijou »

i've got a 92 nighthawk 750, the manual states the max weight is 375, is there a way to increase that, upwards of say to 500?

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storysunfolding
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#2 Unread post by storysunfolding »

Sure, upgrade suspension, brakes, and reinforce stress points. :laughing:

Why do you want it so much higher?
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BuzZz
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#3 Unread post by BuzZz »

The bike is probably strong enough to take 500 pounds if it's not rusted or crash damaged, have a good look at the stress points mentioned and if they are not rusty, cracked, bent or have the paint cracking off, the bike should be ok with stiffer springs.

The limiting factor in the manufacturers weight limits is usually tires and the max load they are rated for. Check your rubber and if it isn't rated for the wieght you want, try to find some new ones that are. Also make sure if the tires are good for the load, they are in good shape... no dry rot or cracks are heavy wear.
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ichijou
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#4 Unread post by ichijou »

thanks, next time i stop by the bike shop i'll ask about the cost of upgrading the suspension.

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mydlyfkryzis
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#5 Unread post by mydlyfkryzis »

With me and my son riding, together we are pushing about 420 Lbs. With the rear spring pre-load at max, the bike is fine.

The rear tire, if OEM or equivalent rating, is rated 66H for 661 pounds.
thr front is rated 58H for 520 pounds.

So the tires hold 1181 pounds of weight.

the Bike is about 500 lbs with gas and oil (463 lbs dry), so there is quite of bit of reserve left in the tires. You would need to be over 600 lbs before you were endangering the tire rating (assuming a fairly equal distribution of weight).

If you find the bike bottoming out, swaying, handling bad, or unstable with the load you put on....then stop. But you do have a little more room then the manual says.
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