How low can you go?

[Groover]

On a Le Mans IV 1000? I'm thinking of lowering the shocks on the rear (and bringing down the fork tubes to keep geometry close/same). I think the factory rear shocks (according to YSS) are around 340mm eye to eye, and I'm considering using shocks used on the G5 which are 320mm I believe.

I understand lowering could cause oil level issues on the rear drive. Is this a fact? The reason I wonder is because when I ride two up, I'm pretty sure the low end drops more than 20mm...

That said, has anyone lowered their bikes, and if so, how much have much have you been able to lower?

It's that time of the year. My brain is going in tinker mode..

Thanks!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Basically, you don't want the swingarm sloping downwards towards the front when fully loaded. Okay for a few seconds while going over a bump or dip, but not good as a steady state. If it's always sloped down, oil has a tendency to migrate out of the rear drive.

[Groover]

Ok, I'll have to keep an eye on that. Thanks for the reply!

[guzzisteve]

I used LM1 and G5 length shocks on my LM3 and Cali2 which came w/longer shocks. I had no issues, LM3 w/50Kmi when it T boned the Volvo, Cali2 has a sidecar on it w/125Kmi + w/no issues.
What you don't want is swingarm higher up than horizontal w/surface when it is totally compressed.

[SED]

Groover, my LMIII had short shocks on it.  They were only about 1/2" shorter but made it very heavy to lift onto the center-stand.  (Lowering would change the lean on the side-stand too.)  Rear tire would scuff the LMIII inner fender when suspension fully compressed - probably more clearance on yours given the LMIV's rear fender design.  I saw lots of disadvantages to shorter shocks.

A surprise was how much difference 1/2" (about 13mm) length of the shock made to getting the bike on the center-stand.  20mm may be a bigger difference than you expect.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I heard the proper expression was, " How low can you get?"

[guzzisteve]

I put a button head bolt on the rear frame and nuts on the outside(backwards from stock) and ran a 130/80 on the rear w/no interference. Never had an issue lifting bike on centerstand.