Lowering RM125 using shorter shock??

[Truckman]

I need to lower my 1990 Rm125 and cutting of the seat foam is not the answer. No one makes the longer links for the
suspension short of making them myself. Why can't I
just install a shorter shock? Shouldn't this drop the bike.
Suggestions or comments appreciated.

 

[trial_07]

Why would you want lowering your bike? I guess a shorter shock would lower it but not very much.

 

[sparkysakitas]

Why would you want lowering your bike? .

a 1990 rm is a tall bike out of the box (im 6'1 and i can barley touch sitting on bike)
people keep asking me if mine is a 250

how low do you need to go?
you could try going down a size on your rims also do not know how that will affect bike

 

[Truckman]

RM125 Lowering

It is a very tall bike, I would like to go down at least 2 to 3
inches. The factory seat height is close to 38". It would make for a person my size much easier to
handle on the trails. Its a great bike. I am not getting much
advantage to cutting the seat as many suggest. There must
be a way to bring it down.

 

[sick 96 250]

how much did you cut the seat down? I took about 2in off my seat and it made a huge difference. You could possibly lower your fron forks in the trees a little but cant really go to low I believe.

 

[rm_racer]

You could cut the subframe. But that would probably be pretty hard on that bike. Cut the seam foam and try a not so tall tire. Drop the forks slightly and you can weld a old pair of foot pegs on top of the existing pair.

How tall are you? Im in the same boat as you but in the other way, Im too tall, lol.

 

[sparkysakitas]

bike doesnt have subframe
i think going with
1 lower rear spring
2 lower front forks
3 trimming seat foam should work out ok
and if budget allows go with next size down rims
i/e front 20" rear 18"
let me go out in garage and really give a good look at mine see if i can come up with anything else(give use g/f as mesuaring stick lol she is 5' 2

 

[sparkysakitas]

also if you mess seat foam up let me know i have a spare seat
will fit right on your bike

 

[trial_07]

All this trouble for a couple of inches! Is it really worth it? Once riding why should you care about height?

 

[kx125412]

Well its not fun when you're doing a hill climb and you lose speed and cant get your feet down to turn around or balance.

 

[Truckman]

RM125 Lowering

You bet, I do mostly trail riding and when crossing a creek
or going up a hill and your buddy falls on his butt, its no
fun leaning the bike over to touch the ground. The pegs
are no problem, I can ride when up fine, but its touching the
ground. Try starting this mule when keeping it from falling
over on you. I still don't understand why putting in a shorter
shock wouldn't take care of the problem instantly.

 

[morbidphil0622]

it probably would.. just make sure the shock can handle it... I wouldnt reccomend putting on a shorter spring on the shock you have now, it will probably just screw things up...

 

[jackdrinker]

have the internals shortend(sp) up..
Also, a 20" and 18" wheel will not lower the bike.. 18" rear is taller overall than a 19"

 

[NM_KDX200]

I really don't like cutting seat foam because it changes the feel of the cockpit- the handlebars feel higher and I feel like I'm riding a chopper. I cut the foam on my KDX and am sorry I did it.

I'd think a good suspension shop could install spacers that would bring both the forks and shock down.

 

[Truckman]

RM 125 Lowering

I spent most of the day Saturday looking over the rear
shock situation. Instead of going to all the trouble of
installing a shorter shock or cutting one down, I fooled the bike into thinking it had a shorter shock. I machined two 3/16" steel flatbar pieces approx. 2 1/2" long x 1" wide and drilled 3/8" holes in each end, same size as shock mount bolts. I made them both identical. I removed the upper bolt for shock mount under/behind tank installed the two flatbars in place of the shock on each side of the frame mount. At the other end I installed the shock using spacers between the flatbar. Bolted everything back together and it worked great. This moved the upper shock mounting point up by 1" and out by approx 2", it also lowered the bike approx 2 1/2". Now I know
everyone may say this may mess up the handling, so I took
the bike out Sunday and rode it all day long and didn't notice any difference in turning, stopping, or rear end instability.
It is much more enjoyable to ride the trails for I have more stability being able to touch the ground with my feet in crazy situations. If any others are interested
I may be able to post some photos of modification. Thanks for everyones suggestions.