On my toes

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tekla · #1 Unread post by **tekla** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 5:58 pm

I just got a 1971 Honda CB 750 K1 today

I knew the bike would be on the taller side for me. Besides changing the seat (which is still the original), I'm wondering if anyone knows another way to drop the seat height down an inch or two from 31.5 in. I would prefer not to do anything drastic to change the original style of the bike. Thanks mucho in advance!

BuzZz · #2 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:36 pm

You could get some shorter shocks. About 1/2 inch shorter should bring the rear down about 3/4-1 inch at the wheel if the shocks are mounted to the swingarm mid-length someplace.

You can slide the forks up in the triple clamps too. But you may not be able to get an inch out that. Some bike will foul the tubes on the handlebars if slide up too far. Not to mention that the front wheel may move farther up and back when bottomed hard to hit the bike now. Some suspension companies can internally modify your forks to be shorter, and limit the wheel travel to avaid this. But that starts to eat up some bucks.....

TechTMW · #3 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:00 pm

You can also buy a used cb750 seat or seat pan from a motorcycle wreckers and have someone make you a custom seat. (Or you can make it yourself)

I know this involves changing the seat, but you can at least have the original to put on when you want to show it off.

tekla · #4 Unread post by **tekla** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 2:53 am

Well, I did some poking and prodding on it last night and I think I can keep the original cover on the seat but gut the padding back an inch and that should work. Thanks for the suggestions though. I may still look into the other ideas you mentioned as well.

#5 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Sat Aug 12, 2006 6:40 am

Another simple solution is to buy a good pair of riding boots with a bit of a heel. You can add an inch to your leg length a lot easier than dropping one from your bike...

sharpmagna · Sat Aug 12, 2006 4:15 pm

Shaving the seat is going to be the easiest method. You can also see if an aftermarket company has lowering springs for your particular bike, or maybe another model bike has springs that you can swap out. I know Progressive and Works make custom springs so you can check out that route (but you mentioned you wanted to stay with the classic style so I'm not sure if that is viable)

There is another method that I don't normally suggest, but it does lower the bike. You can change out the tires for lower profile tires and this will effectively lower the bike. The bad is that this will affect your speedometer a bit and also change the handling characteristics of your bike.