Seat Height

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golfingirl

Well-Known Member
Another newbie question. My rear shock is on the highest level. If I lower it, will it simply lower my seat height? I wouldn't mind another half inch if possible. How do I do that? Looks simple enough.

Also, How do I adjust my suspension? I want to make it sure it's in the perfect position for me. Thanks.
 
If you rotate that "collar" where the shock adjusters are you can make the preload less on your shocks. Unfortunately, that may only give you very little seat height but your bike will ride s bit softer. Your tool kit may have a tool to do that...looks like a "C" with a hook on the end and a lever handle. Not ever owning a new Bonnie, I can't say for sure if they supply one or not. If not it can be tricky to do without the tool. A plastic pipe wrench with a rubber strap works.

Again, not ever having a new Bonnie, I don't know if the front suspension is adjustable or not.


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Note - The Bonneille has no front adjustment - only the Thruxton.
 
As seeker said, you won't gain much with the softer setting, but even a little will help.
When you put your weight on the bike (seat) the springs will sag a tad more and give you a tiny bit.
You might get a little better ride by adjusting the shocks anyway - especially if they are on the hardest setting now.
The T100 has no adjustment on the fork springs and there is no shock adjustment tool that comes with the bike.
Good on Silli for providing the instructions TUP
 
I usually have some of these laying around in my toolbox. I can find one in the set that fits closely to the hole in the adjuster. Softening the spring setting is MUCH easier than making it stiffer.
Do a google search for: drive pin punch set

You can find them at hardware stores and oddly, office supply stores. Always handy to have!!!
 

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Great help to Golfingirl, Silli. Thanks.

Laura, there is no easy way to lower the Bonnevilles. However it can be done.

Place the bike onto a bike lift and raise it until the back tire has completely cleared the ground.

Push up on the rear shock preload adjuster until you can turn it. Choose a different setting. Generally, higher preload will result in lower seat height, and lower in a higher seat height.

Repeat the process for the opposite side shock.

Lower the bike off of the lift and sit on it to test it.

If it is still too tall, try again. Once you've reached the highest preload setting, and if you still can't place both feet flat on the ground, you will have to modify the suspension.
Replacing the rear shocks

Place the bike on a lift and raise it off the ground so that both wheels no longer touch the ground.

Place a block underneath the rear wheel.

Remove both the top and bottom bolt from each shock and gently pull on both ends of the shock simultaneously. Do not yank it, as this may cause the bike to fall off the stand.

Install the new, shorter shocks. To align them, lift the rear wheel until both the top and bottom mounting holes are aligned at once.

Bolt the new shocks to the frame with the mounting bolts that should have come with the kit. Do not use the old bolts.

Tips & Warnings

Since you will be lifting the bike off the ground, it is a good idea to have a second person around to help keep it steady while you work on it.

Do not over-tighten the bolts. Over-tightening can cause the bolts to weaken and shear under stress, which may cause an accident.

You should also have the front fork modified to maintain the riding geometry, but you should not attempt this work yourself. This is precision work -- and beyond the skills of most home mechanics.

If you elect to install shorter shocks, here is a link for fork springs to lower the front suspension. You want to lower both the front and rear the same amount. This is important for proper handling.

http://www.bellacorse.com/bcc224.htm

There are some guys in the Atlanta area who are well versed in modifying Bonnevilles. Let me know if you wish to get in touch with any of them.
 
Laura,
I don't want to hijack this thread but did you ever try an America or Speedy. They have a much lower seat height. If you tried them, what did you think. The wife, 5'4", is considering an America.
 
She already owns a T100 Bonneville and is just getting used to it and learning about it.

That's pretty obvious. I just wondered if she tried the America or Speedmaster along the way. My wife is interested in those bikes and I am seeking a woman's opinion.
 
Laura I was just thinking do you have any friends that you ride with at all. Maybe if they have similar bikes you could just sit on them to get a feel of how the different seat height would feel before you actually go to all the trouble of trying to adjust your one. At times the way your feet hit the ground can make the world of difference to how it all feels
 
Thanks everyone for your awesome input as usual. I plan on adjusting my rear shock to soften the ride a bit. I'm okay with my seat height but another half inch would help me a bit. I'm 5'5". I didn't try the the America other sit on one at the show room. I prefer the Bonneville. For me it was between the T100 and the SE. I preferred the seat height of the SE (an inch lower I think) but I found a T100 used I really liked so I bought that. I know it's really hard to lower the seat height of the Bonnevilles but it never hurts to ask! I think it's all about comfort. I can't quite flat foot on my bike but the more I ride my bike, the more comfortable I get with her and the less this is an issure for me.

Thanks again for all your feedback. I think I'll see if the local dealer can dial down my shocks a bit. I was thinking mid way would be best.
 
Obviously that's your call, but if you don't carry a passenger or any heavy load like in some saddlebags, then the softest setting is probably perfect for you and you might gain a 1/4 inch for your feet.

I agree with AJ on both points. Without a passenger and you being a light person, I think the softest setting would work well for you. Once you gain experience and start carving corners, you might want to go to the mid setting for better handling in the twisties.
 
Obviously that's your call, but if you don't carry a passenger or any heavy load like in some saddlebags, then the softest setting is probably perfect for you and you might gain a 1/4 inch for your feet.

The Seeker & CarlS,

Good point. Maybe I'll give it a try on the softest setting. I can always go back. 1/4" would be perfect gain.
 

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