DL650 lowering kit

[XTDave]

Hi All,
Over Christmas my 2013 strom will be in for some TLC ,  fork oil , headbearings, rear suspension etc.
I have all the rear susp. off and swing arm out and started to clean it all up. I've found that the 2 dog bone suspension links have written on the inside in marker pen SV650 as if they,ve come from a breakers. Does anyone know if fitting SV dogbones is a suspension trick?  OR what the distance between the original DB hole centers is on the DL650 so I can compare and see if they are standard. There are no Jap manufacture numbers on them
I can only think that these have been changed  to alter the ride height. There were no marks on any  other susp. components to suggest the rear had been off before.

Any thoughts anyone?

Merry Christmas

Dave

[Barbel Mick]

My dogbones are 145mm (centre of bolt to centre of bolt) and they are standard.

[tallpaul]

I've just had a rummage on the web and depending on year they are either 97mm or 100 on the SV650. If stock is 145mm then 100mm would represent a huge increase in ride height. 5mm one way or the other makes a big difference on dog bones. 45mm shorter would be extremely tall, if indeed you could even make it fit. Maybe the marking the breaker made was a bit of guesswork? Either that or the even later bikes (Gladius) had longer items than the earlier models.

[Gert]

As far as I'm aware, the stock / standard dog bones / linkage arms, are 140 mm center to center. For more info, have a look at  https://www.adventuretech.biz/gen-1-and-2-DL650-and-gen-1-DL1000.html. Their site shows a chart, indicating by how much each different dog bone length will change the ride height. Also have a look at https://www.adventuretech.biz/how-much-raiselowering-do-I-need.html on how to test which length dog bone to opt for.

[XTDave]

Hi blokes ,
Thanks for the replies,
I've since measured them hole to hole center and I come up with 153mm, so this is longer than standard.
so  this lowers it right ?
I think I'll buy a standard pair and see how they work.
My feeling with the bike is the ride height is lowered, its very stable in a straight line but cornering doesn't quite feel right.
Maybe this would explain it. Glad I pulled it all apart now. I've had the bike a year now but would still prefer to ride my XT660Z.  You never really  know what's been done to second hand bike. Hopefully I can improve it.

Thanks
Dave

[XTDave]

Thanks Gert ,
Just looked at the first site link , My dog bones are ally not plated steel , they don't have the 06G stamp which is also shown in my Haynes manual.  the manual also says the stamping should be on the outside , which backed up my suspiscions that they werent standard, as mine have no markings at all.
I'll get a standard pair and report back,

Thanks for the help

Dave

[XTDave]

Hi all

My new standard suspension links turned up today , they  measure 140mm center to center. instant difference with them fitted, with the long ones (153mm) my feet were flat on the floor, now its balls of my feet, and riding position feels better.
The AdventureTech site link from Gert lists the max as 150mm but mine were 153. I think this works out to 1 1/2 inches drop at the back.  Not sure if these original links were from some other model.
I'm 5ft10 and can cope easily with my DRZ's 935mm and XT's  895mm  seat height. so the VStrom at 835  standard should be fine.
can't test ride yet due to 1 Lockdown and 2 Snow!! can't wait to try it. I have other maintenance to tackle first anyway which will probably be another post .

Thanks  for the  help.   

[Gert]

Were the forks raised in the yokes / triple tree in conjunction to the lowering links? One can safely raise the forks by an inch to make the saddle height a bit lower, if already not done. The fork raising will make the bike turn in quicker and help a bit with the wind when passing vans and trucks. Have a look at the discussion and my reply in https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=36477.0  For info, if you set the fork height back to stock, the seat height may become a factor to you. Easy task to do, without touching your pocket.... unless you go out and buy some extra tools.

[XTDave]

Hi Gert ,
 No the forks were in their standard positionns , flush with the yoke but were set on their softest pre load. This is now back to standard  2 rings out , as is the rear shock which was also set softest, now 2 rings showing. I'm happy with what I've achieved with the new standard susp. links and the suspension back to standard as a base line. Only a ride will tell ! The other thing I've changed is to add a pair of handlebar riser / pullbacks ,  they give 25mm rise and 20mm pull back, with these and my Renthal 613's I've got very close to the riding position I wanted.
I'll let you know what its like once I've ridden it again.

Thanks

[Gert]

For additional info on suspension adjustment, have a look at both https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,7132.0.html and https://www.vstrom.info/forum/forum_files/WilbersMotorcyleSuspension.pdf

[Loopian]

When I first got my V Strom I found it didn’t handle as well as one that I had previously test ridden.  I set the sag up as suggested and it transformed the bike into for me one of the most sure footed bikes I’ve ever ridden.  Mind l’m no expert. Good luck
Ian

[XTDave]

Hi Gert ,
Thanks for that , from your Wilbers Shocks link , the bike was suffering from 'slow turn in' which confirms the lowered back end, and too much trail. Hopefully the standard susp links will cure that. I will set the  rear sag at the weekend and see how it feels. At least Its back to standard as a base line now. I like the bike and its great motor but was unimpressed with its handling and didn't know the back had been lowered. Looking forward to touring with it when Covid is out of the way.

[Gert]

Let us know your thoughts after the test run.