RX3: Lowering Front Forks 1/2"

[Tiger12XC]

Here are a few pics I took to illustrate the process. This may help out shorter riders if they need an extra 1/2". There are marks on the top of the fork tubes that allow you to line up both tubes but be careful not to let the tube caps touch the handlebars. You may be able to squeeze an extra 1/4" or more if you have bar risers but just under the upper clamp the tubes step up in size and would eventually stop moving up through the clamps. The bottom clamp is fine with no steps to the tubes, smooth all the way down. I had already lowered my wife's RX3 and had private messages asking how to do this adjustment so I broke it down again for illustration purposes. I hope this helps, my wife is getting pretty close to flat foot, one heal up and one flat she is 5'2" with around a 29" inseam. Measuring her inseam was the best part of this whole exercise.

[rjmorel]

Nice write up. Did you lower the back end at all? Using lowering links I see they have for sale now? thanks,rj

[Tiger12XC]

Originally Posted by rjmorel

Nice write up. Did you lower the back end at all? Using lowering links I see they have for sale now? thanks,rj

Thanks RJ
We adjusted the rear spring tension which allowed the hiked up rear end to settle down a bit. The rear suspension was way stiffer than she needed. In stock form she could jump her full weight onto the seat and the suspension would not compress. Very very stiff for a smaller person. Now its near perfect but we will still install the lowering link as I would like to achieve the lowered state with a link rather than running the spring up the shock body. She was not fond of being launched off of the seat when hitting a bump.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the excellent photos, Tiger.

[Tiger12XC]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Thanks for posting the excellent photos, Tiger.

Thanks Spud
I tried to loosen these bolts with a regular allen wrench and almost pulled the fingers right off my hand. They are tights or at least one on each clamp was tight the other on each clamp was loose. You will want to use a long ratchet or something to get leverage. I checked my RX3 after noticing one bolt on each clamp was loose on my wife's RX3 and I also had one on each clamp looser than the other. Check your triple clamp bolts. The white marks indicated that they have not turned I think that they didn't check the first bolt again after torquing the second bolt. Good idea to go back and forth on these bolts as they where loose enough to eventually back out over time.

[SpudRider]

Yes, I noticed the difference in bolt tightness when I removed the forks, and changed the fork oil. You make an excellent point. I strongly suggest that everyone to check the tightness of the fork bolts.

I wouldn't trust the witness marks. I have heard some of the Chinese factory workers don't understand the purpose of witness marks, and just apply the marks to the bolts before they install them. Also, I wouldn't assume the fork bolts are torqued properly at the factory, even when tight.

When I re-installed the forks after changing the fork oil, I applied loctite, and torqued each bolt to 15 foot-pounds. I chose this value after consulting the service manuals for my two Honda motorcycles.

[Riceburner]

Great info Tiger12XC, thanks for the heads-up on the bolts.

[pepelepua]

i've done this job in other bikes but is good to know the zong's bars have those marks.
Thanks for posting!

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by pepelepua

i've done this job in other bikes but is good to know the zong's bars have those marks.
Thanks for posting!

Yep. I used to do this to my Husky when I'd race one particular local track that had short straights and very tight corners. It would tighten the rake for bashing and squaring off a berm.
If we go with the RX3 in the Spring, my wife is 5'6" so she should be ok.....