21in wheel and lowering it???

[cableguy2232]

I did the wheel and I didn't lower it, so i was wondering why lower it? is it so the bike is back to its normal height? cause if not, its a little higher in the front and it feels heavier to. will lowering it make it feel better? or at least the front end maybe lighter? whatcha guys think??

[dmyers]

It's not a big deal to lower it, I say do it and if you don't like the feel, raise it back up

[dshelly]

I did the wheel and I didn't lower it, so i was wondering why lower it? is it so the bike is back to its normal height? cause if not, its a little higher in the front and it feels heavier to. will lowering it make it feel better? or at least the front end maybe lighter? whatcha guys think??

To lower the front end you have to take the fork spacers out and put shorter ones in.

[cableguy2232]

To lower the front end you have to take the fork spacers out and put shorter ones in.

they say just slide it down the fork tube an inch... I was just wondering it will make the front end feel like it did before, cause now it feels a bit heaver and if that's the way it is since the wheel that's fine i was just asking..

[cableguy2232]

It's not a big deal to lower it, I say do it and if you don't like the feel, raise it back up

I know its not a big deal, lol but its just an inch and I was thinking that an inch isn't really a big deal so why do it?

[dshelly]

Anytime you raise or lower the front end you change the rake on the front end. Slightly, but it changes. Lowering the front will make it steer better. Less rake makes the front end feel lighter. If it were mine I'd lower it to close to where it was from the factory.

[RACNRAY]

To lower the front end you have to take the fork spacers out and put shorter ones in.

WAAAAY too much work and entirely not necessary...The easier way is to raise the fork tubes in the triple trees.

Just make sure that there will be NO CONTACT between the fender/wheel to any part of the skoot with the forks fully compressed.

RACNRAY

[cableguy2232]

Anytime you raise or lower the front end you change the rake on the front end. Slightly, but it changes. Lowering the front will make it steer better. Less rake makes the front end feel lighter. If it were mine I'd lower it to close to where it was from the factory.


thanks... but really do you think that the one inch will make that much of a difference? just in my head im not thinking it will be worth it. lol but if one inch will do it i guess i gotta...

[Jared]

thanks... but really do you think that the one inch will make that much of a difference? just in my head im not thinking it will be worth it. lol but if one inch will do it i guess i gotta...

I think it will make a noticeable difference. Like mentioned before, I wouldn't even open up the forks. Loosen up the triple trees and push them up through until they almost make contact with the bars. That should give you a 1.5" or so and would be very easy.

[cableguy2232]

I just called roaring toyz and they recommend 5/8 of an inch.... I just cant see that little making any difference..

[xlock]

If raising the front end that small amount made it feel heavier and "different" doesn't it stand to reason that lowering it a small amount will make an improvement? Seems pretty cut and dry to me but then again I had to take geometry twice...

[kawboysix]

The slightest adjustments to suspension and steering geometry make a huge difference in the real world ( on the road ). Even an amount not able to be seen by the naked eye. Make the adjustments that Ray suggested and find out for yourself. He knows what he is talking about. I'm sure he has been then and done that.:cheers:

[kevinr13]

http://207.57.8.251/tools/rake_trail.html In case you're bored

[ctc6698]

How would you describe "heavier". I am considering the swap to 21 when $$ in hand not only for looks but hoping to make the steering easier. Most all bikes I've owned of late have/had a 21" wheel that made turning easier, not like turning a Mack truck without power steering as it is now.

[dshelly]

How would you describe "heavier". I am considering the swap to 21 when $$ in hand not only for looks but hoping to make the steering easier. Most all bikes I've owned of late have/had a 21" wheel that made turning easier, not like turning a Mack truck without power steering as it is now.

If you just want to make the steering easier, you can go with a narrower tire. When I went from a 150 to a 130 tire on my Nomad , it made a world of difference.

[dmyers]

I was on another vaquero forum and a guy did the 21"
He said to be vary carefully about the fender he put a dent in his. He said after you raise the fender for clearance you don't gave my h room left for fork travel

[RACNRAY]

The larger front wheel raises the front end increasing the "effective rake" thus slowing the steering requiring more effort. Lowering the front end will definitely return some nimbleness to the handling.

One thing that has been missed here is how the larger diameter wheel's inertia has an affect on handling. Wheels have a "gyroscopic" affect on handling, more precisely in how much effort is required to initiate turns, specifically at speed. Although I can't say for sure what the difference in what is called the "moment of inertia" is between a stock wheel and the 21", but the fact that the outer rim with the tire of the 21" wheel is ALOT further away from the axle can increase that gyroscopic affect thus requiring more effort to initiate a turn. Lowering the front end will certainly help in handling, I don't know how close you will get back to stock rake figure, but the inertia and gyroscopic affect of that front wheel on handling can't be eliminated

If you lower the front end just be sure that there will be no contact with anything at full suspension compression. Jammin a front wheel into some part of the skoot is NOT FUN!!

RACNRAY

[cableguy2232]

The larger front wheel raises the front end increasing the "effective rake" thus slowing the steering requiring more effort. Lowering the front end will definitely return some nimbleness to the handling.

One thing that has been missed here is how the larger diameter wheel's inertia has an affect on handling. Wheels have a "gyroscopic" affect on handling, more precisely in how much effort is required to initiate turns, specifically at speed. Although I can't say for sure what the difference in what is called the "moment of inertia" is between a stock wheel and the 21", but the fact that the outer rim with the tire of the 21" wheel is ALOT further away from the axle can increase that gyroscopic affect thus requiring more effort to initiate a turn. Lowering the front end will certainly help in handling, I don't know how close you will get back to stock rake figure, but the inertia and gyroscopic affect of that front wheel on handling can't be eliminated

If you lower the front end just be sure that there will be no contact with anything at full suspension compression. Jammin a front wheel into some part of the skoot is NOT FUN!!

RACNRAY


thanks but I think im just gonna deal with it the way it is.. no lowering it.. 5/8 of an inch is much at all..

[Trrust32]

This is what I did check out What a Change. http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36551

[dshelly]

This is what I did check out What a Change. http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36551

So you lowered the front 5/8 and the rear 2" ??

[Gypsy Dragon]

The larger front wheel raises the front end increasing the "effective rake" thus slowing the steering requiring more effort. Lowering the front end will definitely return some nimbleness to the handling.

One thing that has been missed here is how the larger diameter wheel's inertia has an affect on handling. Wheels have a "gyroscopic" affect on handling, more precisely in how much effort is required to initiate turns, specifically at speed. Although I can't say for sure what the difference in what is called the "moment of inertia" is between a stock wheel and the 21", but the fact that the outer rim with the tire of the 21" wheel is ALOT further away from the axle can increase that gyroscopic affect thus requiring more effort to initiate a turn. Lowering the front end will certainly help in handling, I don't know how close you will get back to stock rake figure, but the inertia and gyroscopic affect of that front wheel on handling can't be eliminated

If you lower the front end just be sure that there will be no contact with anything at full suspension compression. Jammin a front wheel into some part of the skoot is NOT FUN!!

RACNRAY

I'm glad someone finally said it. The difference in handling between a 16" wheel and a 21" wheel should be pretty dramatic, lowered or not. Lowering the front end, even that 5/8 inch will indeed make a difference. Suspension setup, especially in the front, can have unbelievable effects on the characteristics of the bike at all speeds.

[Gypsy Dragon]

http://207.57.8.251/tools/rake_trail.html In case you're bored

cool :tup:

[Trrust32]

Yes I wanted the lower look.. As for ride I really can't feel any difference I have been on quit a few rides and the only thing i have negative is the cover on one side does hit on one side of the fender where it use to mount.. But I just need to shim it... It appears that the bracket was formed different at the factory

[xlock]

This is the most current thread I could find on the 21" wheel subject...I still want to do this and am almost to that point. I have eliminated my front turn signal stalk and was curious everyone's thoughts on clearance if I get custom hydraulic lines and relocate the junction box. Would this allow me to lower the front to get close to OE geometry without fear of fender contact at full travel?

[smokier]

:cheers: Thanks KevinR13
http://207.57.8.251/tools/rake_trail.htmlI wasted too much time playing with the calculator!