'04 Cali EV Touring. Shock length and rear brake.

[Tom H]

I want to lower the bike a bit to make it more user friendly.

With the stock shocks at about 14.25", to reach the ground at a stop I was on the ball and toes of my feet. Not flat footed like my older bikes.

So I pulled out a old used, but good, set of Koni's that were fairly stiffly sprung on my dressed Eldo. These are about 13.25". Took the EVT for a long ride around the block and they felt like the stock shocks did. With the shorter shocks I can now sit at a stop flat footed.

I think I also need to lower the forks to keep the correct fork angle. With 1" out of the rear, is it 1" or 1/2" or just keep it stock?

But what about the proportioning valve? With my shorter shocks, I think that I am making the "Valve" think the bike is loaded heavier. If I am reading the copy and pasted info from the manual correctly, that make the "Valve" add more rear brake? With my short ride, the braking system felt normal, as in before I changed the shocks.

I don't mind a bit more rear brake, kinda worried about front end lock up with the pedal in wet/slippery conditions. OR, should I make the spring adjustment and try to make it factory stock braking?

Thank you,Tom

This is from the manual:

BRAKE-POWER LIMITER - CALIFORNIA EV -
CALIFORNIA SPECIAL - CALIFORNIA SPECIAL SPORT
The brake-power limiter is a mechanic device connected
to the rear swinging arm through a spring. According to
its position (and therefore as a consequence of the load
on the rear axle), the valve inside the limiter distributes
the integral system brake oil pressure in variable
proportion between front and rear caliper (if the load on
the rear increases, the pressure on the rear caliper
increases and vice-versa).
This allows a safer braking and limits the chances of wheel
locking.
N.B. This system functions in accordance with
the rear shock absorbers calibration; if the shock
absorbers are replaced with others having
different technical features, the system
functioning is jeopardized

And this:
SYSTEM ADJUSTMENT
After assembling the spring, part no. 03.66.88.01, with
the brake-power limiter, part no. 03.66.82.00, and on the
swinging arm, make sure that the distance between the
two fittings is 67 � 0.5 mm.
Set part part no. 03.66.73.00 to adjust.
N.B. Place the motorbike on the centre stand or
make sure the rear wheel bears no load, when
adjusting the system.

[guzzisteve]

I wouldn't go past 1/2" on front end, set my 98EV at 21mm in front w/the real soft rear shocks it came with and it feels like the T did for handling.
I wouldn't worry about the back brake deal.

[Wayne Orwig]

Just adjust that brake valve to the new shorter shocks.
I'll bet you never notice it though. It doesn't do a lot.

[Tom H]

I rode the bike to work today and it feels fine. Braking and handling seem the same as before with the stock shocks. The top of the shield just looks a tad higher than before. Still might drop the forks down a bit the next time I have the fairing off.

The "Valve". After looking at the plumbing for the front and rear, it looks like the valve just allows more or less flow to the rear as needed. The front looks like it has a constant flow that is not restricted. Am I understanding this correctly?

One more question related to the chrome covers and the special style of shocks with the "extension" above the spring.
I understand this was to make the shock fit under the cover. My Koni's fit under the cover just fine without the extension. The only concern is that when the swingarm comes up from a large bump will it hit the cover? I ask this since the shock is not vertical in it's travel, it also looks like it pivots as well as compressing. Am I over analizing this?

Thanks again,
Tom

[Wayne Orwig]

The "Valve". After looking at the plumbing for the front and rear, it looks like the valve just allows more or less flow to the rear as needed. The front looks like it has a constant flow that is not restricted. Am I understanding this correctly?

Yes, the valve just restricts the rear fluid a small amount.