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Ride Height Spacers |
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| In short,
a ride height spacer is a shim that is sandwiched in between the frame cross
member and the top of your rear shock mount |
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Why fit a Ride Height Spacer? |
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I, (Anth, the founder of IXXRA) have detailed in this page, a step by step guide to adjusting the rear shock for more ground clearance. I found some parts to be quite tricky but in all, the job wasn't’t too difficult, and can be done within an hour. On my Blackbird I installed both a 4mm and a 2mm spacer above the rear shock mounting bracket to get an extra 6mm ride height. It made ONE HELL of a difference to the feeling of the bike after this was done. The rear end felt more responsive (more of a kick) and the front end seemed to dive better into corners. It is well recommended. Should you need more help or advice, regarding how to get a spacer |
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The size of the shim (or spacer) you decide to fit is entirely up to you. We recommend 4mm or 6mm, these have the best feel, and certainly would not recommend you fit above 6mm. Performoto manufacture ride height spacers as do various other specialist places. You can expect to pay around £8.00 (UKP) for one of these (some are even plastic?!!). However this is really unjustified. All you need to do is have a wander down to your local hardware store and buy some washers to stack on top of each other to get the desired shim height! This has become a common trend amongst Blackbird owners and really gives you a choice and an opportunity to play around to give you the best setting! Simply stack your washers on the shock mounting bracket to get the desired shim height! But what size washers do you need?? |
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| Washer
Size: Middle diameter: at least 12mm Outer diameter: at least 28mm |
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| You have the washer sizes, now go out to your local hardware store and get a handful of washers. |
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STEP 1 Put the bike on the centre stand. Remove the seat and remove the two 12mm bolts securing the rear of the tank to the frame. Now unclip the two short black plastic trim-stays, that are situated on the sides of the tank. Now insert the box wrench spanner through the top of the tank bracket and extension bar through the underside and prop the tank up. Use an additional box or container to prop the tank up, for more room to work. |
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Additional tank height is required - hence the After Eight tin! |
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| STEP
2 Now undo the rear-shock mounting pin from the top of the shocker. You will see that on the other side of this pin (bolt), the top of the coolant reservoir is slipped on, with a rubber mounting grommet, this will slide off as you undo the bolt and remove it completely. You will need to hold the nut of the mounting pin with the Honda supplied pair of small pliers, as the frame cross-member leaves no room whatsoever for a spanner. The pliers do the job great as they have a very coarse teeth with grip the nut superbly! With the pin removed, move the shock back, (towards the rear wheel) to gain access to the shock mount. |
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| STEP
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