Has anyone lowered their 1200 Sport?

[ohiorider]

Just curious.  Compared to the R100GS and CB1100, the 1200 Sport feels a bit top heavy to me, especially as I've gotten older.  If so, what was involved?

Thanks,

Bob

[Huzo]

Just curious.  Compared to the R100GS and CB1100, the 1200 Sport feels a bit top heavy to me, especially as I've gotten older.  If so, what was involved?

Thanks,

Bob

One would think that the front could be slid up through the top clamp a bit, but you'd have to remove the register that the forks come up against..(if it's like the Norge).
Also clearance issues may raise their heads.
As for the rear, buggerising around with the linkages could get tricky (and dangerous) so I'd be investigating the top mount were I you, and that way you'd not be altering spring compression rates and such.
Just maybe you could investigate disassembling the shock and see if shortening the unit by a bee's appendage or some other method could be achieved.
It takes 3/5th's of 5/8th's of SFA to make a difference, so be gentle with that hacksaw..!
Again clearance issues may surface ...

[rdbandkab]

Yea... Aside from lowering the seat foam a bit,  I was wondering about machining the bottom of the shock shaft by a few mm's.  I imagine these Sachs shocks do not have the adjustable shock length assembly at the bottom...
I tried searching for lowering links for our style bike,  but just found outdated links to websites!

richy

[Kiwi Dave]

Perhaps all you need is higher bars, Bob.  Ones that make you sit up.

[Tennmoto]

I noticed the same thing with my Sport too. A little harder to move around when your 65, but once underway it’s
Amazing


juke box love song

[Travlr]

My Sport carries it's weight a little high.  Mostly because of the motor.  It hasn't bothered my enough to change it yet, (I'm 73).  But
over the years my plan is: MG low seat - drop the forks - shorten the shock.  The bike is a keeper, especially for trips.  I suppose I
could add a V7 for city rides. 

Mike 

[ohiorider]

To all - good suggestions and observations.  Forgot to mention in original post, I'm 5'8" (on a good day), with 30" inseam.

This has been a great bike, and I'd like to add a few more miles to the 68,200 miles I've run up on the old gal! Travir's comment struck  a nerve with me "...... the bike is a keeper, especially for trips ......"  The 1200 Sport is a real mile eater!

[Bert Remington]

Lowering link is being made in Poland and available here https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lowering-kit-Moto-Guzzi-1200-1100-Breva-Norge-Sport-Grisso-Stelvio/113474688152?hash=item1a6b9e5498:g:mpwAAOSw~e5ZVgsF:rk:1:pf:0

[Ratso88]

Not trying to pee in the pool, but refer to NHTSA ID 13V-323.

There is a fair bit of information on line about this safety recall. Specifically failure of the rear shock linkage.

Before I'd put down money I would like to know a little more about said ebay lowering link.
I'm not saying that this part is not as good or better than what the factory spec.

Material

Cast, Machined from Billet, Machined form a Forging

Heat Treat

Bearings, Bushings, Seals

This is a No Joke part of your ride. Directly affecting your safety. Do your homework.

[Bert Remington]

Ratso88 -- the eBay reference was provided to me by an AZ 2104 Norge rider with over 10K miles on his lowering link.  I have one in my possession and would like to send it to you so you may publish your analysis on this forum.

[Bert Remington]

The Polish lowering link is machined from a single block of aluminum.  It appears to be dimensional identical to the MG link except the vertical leg is about 1" longer.  It includes all three sets of bearings and they appear to be of acceptable quality.

WRT specific characteristics of the aluminum block, I suggest you contact the machinist in Poland.  He has a good command of English or else is assisted by someone who does.  In either case, he seems eager to engage with buyers to ensure they are getting their desired lowering solution.

[Bert Remington]

With the lowering link installed, it's recommend you raise the front forks an approximately equivalent amount (30mm).  This can be a problem with some handlebar configurations.  Motobits offers a Norge raised handlebar solution (http://motobits.com/guzzi.htm) that will accommodate raising the front forks at least 25mm.  This solution may work for other models.  I suggest you contact Motobits.

The length of the side stand must also be adjusted (I believe shortened).  I'm sure about the center stand; still investigating.

[ohiorider]

With the lowering link installed, it's recommend you raise the front forks an approximately equivalent amount (30mm).  This can be a problem with some handlebar configurations.  Motobits offers a Norge raised handlebar solution (http://motobits.com/guzzi.htm) that will accommodate raising the front forks at least 25mm.  This solution may work for other models.  I suggest you contact Motobits.

The length of the side stand must also be adjusted (I believe shortened).  I'm sure about the center stand; still investigating.

Your post caused me to go to the garage to check the Sport top triple clamp.  Looks like the fork tubes could easily come up 10-12mm and still retain the fork tube covers.  If I needed to drop the bike more, I could remove the caps and carefully put them aside for later.  The tubes would clear the handlebars and I could drop the bike as much as necessary.  I may give the Polish-manufactured part a try.

I think the side stand could possibly be left stock, because it currently allows the bike to lean way to far to the left,  Center stand might have to be shortened, or I could get by carrying a small wooden 'ramp' that would let me get the back tire an inch or so off the ground (I already do this with the current setup.) 

Again, thanks to all for your input.

NOTE:  I love this old gal!  Here she is, about a month or so after Tom and I drove to New Hampshire to bring her home.  This is in 2010.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXtUxm0HY_o

Bob

[Huzo]

I'm pretty sure your forks come up against a register in the top clamp, as do mine on the '07 Norge.
As I mentioned on my first response, you'll need to remove the lip that abuts the fork, not sure I'd take that step, but it'd be your choice..

[ohiorider]

I'm pretty sure your forks come up against a register in the top clamp, as do mine on the '07 Norge.
As I mentioned on my first response, you'll need to remove the lip that abuts the fork, not sure I'd take that step, but it'd be your choice..

Huzo, I'll take a couple of pix of the top triple clamp on my Sport and post them.  You may be correct in your assessment, but the pix may help all of us determine whether or not I can drop the bike the required amount if I choose to use the aftermarket lowering linkage.

Again, thanks to all for continuing to offer advice on this matter.

Bob

[Huzo]

Every 20,000 k I take my forks out and change the fluid.
That makes 8 times and it certainly is the case with the Norge.

[rdbandkab]

Nice find Bert!! 

My Google-ing powers must be getting weak..

[ohiorider]

These pics show the 1200 Sport top triple clamp
Top photo shows one of the easily-removed covers, held in place by an o ring.
Bottom photo shows top of left fork tube.  It appears the front of the bike could easily be dropped as much as I'd need, maybe 15 - 20mm

When I removed the tubes a while back to have fork seals replaced, I inserted a large socket in the recess, and marked a ring around it with a permanent marker, which I used as a guide when replacing them.

Bob

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Your post caused me to go to the garage to check the Sport top triple clamp.  Looks like the fork tubes could easily come up 10-12mm and still retain the fork tube covers.  If I needed to drop the bike more, I could remove the caps and carefully put them aside for later.  The tubes would clear the handlebars and I could drop the bike as much as necessary.  I may give the Polish-manufactured part a try.

I think the side stand could possibly be left stock, because it currently allows the bike to lean way to far to the left,  Center stand might have to be shortened, or I could get by carrying a small wooden 'ramp' that would let me get the back tire an inch or so off the ground (I already do this with the current setup.) 

Again, thanks to all for your input.

NOTE:  I love this old gal!  Here she is, about a month or so after Tom and I drove to New Hampshire to bring her home.  This is in 2010.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXtUxm0HY_o

Bob

Bob, I've looked long and hard at my 1200Sport center stand with thoughts of shortening it but I don't see how it would be possible with all the other hardware under there. I too use a custom made 2 x 12 on the garage floor that I pull up on and use the center stand.

[Bert Remington]

Gary at https://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/breva-1100-1200-registry-add-your-bike.11531/page-2#post-149310 installed the Polish lowering link on his 2009 Breva 1200.  Apparently he hasn't installed his center stand.

[MacGlennon]

At higher speeds I’ve ground my centerstand a time or two during cornering. Were I actually to lower my Sport I might be tempted to ditch the centerstand altogether.

[Ratso88]

Hi Bert, no need to send me your lowering link. I do not do material analysis, I am a mechanic. I figure if the Guzzi factory could get a bunch of out of spec links on new bikes it could happen to anyone. Nothing against anybody else either. I have a Soviet produced motorcycle that has been rock solid as any 35+ year old machine could be. It had been my daily ride for more than a few years.

I have no knowledge of the guy producing the lowering link. I would suspect that there are more than one or two out there and if there would be a problem it would become known over time.

I'm not looking to lower my Griso but other CARC owners may, so please keep us up to date.