retro_rollie

I just got done modifying the seat. Undid the staples along the front half, peeled it back, measured and marked the top layer of foam and cut it with a scissors. Didn't feel like enough, so I took a little more off each side toward the front. Feels better now. Went to experience the power of the Home Depot, got some #6 , 1/2" pan head sheet metal screws and some #8 finishing washers. I didn't think the #6 washers were wide enough. I'll button it back up tomorrow. I've done this before, may have been on my old '96 Royal Star. Works good. I'm looking forward to taking it for a longer ride, probably Sunday afternoon. I already like the result of lowering the forks 1", I'm thinking the seat mod is going to be extra added good stuff...

Alrighty then...a good report to pass on !!! Again, thanks to WildBill1...I got my front forks lowered 1". I did mark the fork tubes with a black marker, BUT...I don't know why, the marks just didn't stay. Good thing I'd also measured the tubes from the clamp to the top of said tubes. It measured 8" on mine. So I worked 'em up to 9" and locked 'em down. Wild Bill was right...the forks were in a bind with the front wheel on. As soon as I removed it...big, huge difference. I'd completely removed the inner fairing...had probably a couple dozen wire connections to reconnect...but I took my time and...EVERYTHING WORKED !!! After I got the outer fairing and windshield on, took it for a short ride. I LOVED IT....I'm not real short, have a 32" inseam. I could flatfoot the scoot before, but didn't have very much bend in my legs. Now when I stop, it's noticeably different. I have more bend in my legs...before, if I'd put my foot in a bit of a depression, I'd be sticking my toes out and if the bike leaned a little, I didn't have much leverage to use. Now I do. Riding it was good, although I didn't go far, about 10 mi. But it was good and I'm not changing it back. Only thing I might do now is to modify the seat and make it slightly more narrow where my inner thighs are. One thing I didn't see in other people's comments is marking the handlebars. I put mine back on, sat on the scoot and tightened them down. When I took my short ride, my mirrors were looking up into the sky. I guess I didn't quite get them back where they were. It's an easy adjustment, but might be good to mark the bars; that way you can put 'em back or make an adjustment, if necessary. I rode in the city where I live, only got up to about 45 mph and sometimes very slow. Didn't notice anything negative in the handling. Actually it gave my more confidence, especially when I pulled up to stop. Because my legs weren't extended to flatfoot the bike, I felt a lot more at ease, having the leverage I hadn't had before. It took a LOT MORE than the reported 'two hour job'...but it was most definitely worth it.

Yes, I did, bongobobny...pulling the front wheel did the trick, though. I got 'em pulled up one inch and am in the process of putting it all back together now. Many thanks to WildBill1 for that valuable piece of information !!! I'd reached the end of my limitation, sure do appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge and expertise...

Alrighty then, thanks WildBill1... Got more time than money...

Okay, here we go... I tried sliding the forks up on my '09 RSV and they will NOT slide. I bounced a rubber hammer on one just to make sure it would move and it did, but I'm at a loss as to how to get it to go the other direction. I tried bouncing on the floorboards, as one guy suggested and it only served to further push them down. They will rotate, I know they're not frozen. Does anyone have a suggestion to get them to come up? Sure would appreciate it... Thanks so much...Retro_Rollie

I run regular in my '09 RSV and 2 or 3 times a year, especially on long trips, dump a little Seafoam in a full tank. Been doing that for years, in the car, the '02 Valkyrie and '96 RSTC I had. No problems at all, they run and did run great.