1500 possible to lower
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- Posts: 32
- Joined: Fri Nov 18, 2016 8:40 pm
- Location: Schererville, In
- Motorcycle: 1994 1500
1500 possible to lower
Is there a lowering kit on an a 1500 wing? what are my options ? I need an inch .
- RoadRogue
- Posts: 2069
- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2010 10:51 pm
- Location: southern Okanogan BC, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1997 1500SE
Re: 1500 possible to lower
A 195-55-16 Darkside tire should do that for you. I believe a seat from the later model 1500's had a seat height that was lower than the 94. Others will chime in later to confirm what years are lower.
Ride safe, Todd
Over night campers welcome
Over night campers welcome
- dingdong
- Posts: 4183
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- Location: Oklahoma City
- Motorcycle: 1976 gl1000
1993 gl1500A
2004 NRX1800 Rune SOLD
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Consider it confirmed. 1995 / 2000 seats are about 1½" shorter.
- RBGERSON
- Posts: 3233
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- Location: SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Motorcycle: 98 SE GL 1500
had every year from 75 to 83
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Cut foam out of the seat, wear boots with heels, shorter tires, you can drop the front forks a bit but it does effect handling in a big way can ve very dangerous/hard to handle so drop slowly and test at each 1/4" or so.
HAD LOTS OF GOLDWING 75-83
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
- Uncle Fester
- Posts: 1181
- Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 6:21 pm
- Location: Moore Oklahoma
- Motorcycle: 2004 GL-1800
Re: 1500 possible to lower
The year WING DING was in Tulsa Ok, there was a company that made a lowering kit for the rear of our 1500s.
I am sorry I do not have any contact information, but if you contact GWRRA they SHOULD be able to get you that information.
Best of luck !
I am sorry I do not have any contact information, but if you contact GWRRA they SHOULD be able to get you that information.
Best of luck !
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore,
Dream,
Discover!
Mark Twain
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore,
Dream,
Discover!
Mark Twain
- Mh434
- Posts: 1531
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:24 pm
- Location: Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico
- Motorcycle: 1997 gl1500 SE
Previous:
1981 GL1100I
1989 Kawasaki Concours
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Bear in mind that lowering a GL1500 may result in the sidestand being too long for the bike to have a decent lean angle when parked.
When I got it, my bike had a 3/4" thick chromed "foot" on the sidestand, and the bike had so little lean when parked, I had to always look for a side slope for parking. Once I removed the foot, all was well. Removing 1" from the suspension height might be a problem...
When I got it, my bike had a 3/4" thick chromed "foot" on the sidestand, and the bike had so little lean when parked, I had to always look for a side slope for parking. Once I removed the foot, all was well. Removing 1" from the suspension height might be a problem...
- Uncle Fester
- Posts: 1181
- Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 6:21 pm
- Location: Moore Oklahoma
- Motorcycle: 2004 GL-1800
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Thats a very good point, I have never looked at lowering mine as I stand 6'3" tall, so why would I , right ?Mh434 wrote:Bear in mind that lowering a GL1500 may result in the sidestand being too long for the bike to have a decent lean angle when parked.
When I got it, my bike had a 3/4" thick chromed "foot" on the sidestand, and the bike had so little lean when parked, I had to always look for a side slope for parking. Once I removed the foot, all was well. Removing 1" from the suspension height might be a problem...
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore,
Dream,
Discover!
Mark Twain
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore,
Dream,
Discover!
Mark Twain
- Mh434
- Posts: 1531
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:24 pm
- Location: Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico
- Motorcycle: 1997 gl1500 SE
Previous:
1981 GL1100I
1989 Kawasaki Concours
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Yeah...I'm 6'2", with really long legs, so height isn't a problem for me. I know others, though, who struggle with high saddles. My Kawasaki Concours had a particularly high seat height, and only the very-long-legged need apply! With the 'Wing, the width is also a consideration, so the narrow-of-hips (not an issue for me!) might have issues, too.
On my daughter-in-law's bike, I installed a lowering kit, but then the sidestand was way too long. I cut about 2" out of it & welded the foot back on - it was perfect for her after that. For the OP, this might be an option, too, if he's able to lower the bike otherwise (and can weld, or knows someone who can).
On my daughter-in-law's bike, I installed a lowering kit, but then the sidestand was way too long. I cut about 2" out of it & welded the foot back on - it was perfect for her after that. For the OP, this might be an option, too, if he's able to lower the bike otherwise (and can weld, or knows someone who can).
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Also keep in mind that lowering a bike like this even just an inch will pretty much guarantee that you'll give yourself a hernia every time you try to get it on the center stand, if you can do it at all.
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- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 11:19 am
- Location: California
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500A Aspencade
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Would that also apply to just lowering the seat and not the bike itself?
WingAdmin wrote:Also keep in mind that lowering a bike like this even just an inch will pretty much guarantee that you'll give yourself a hernia every time you try to get it on the center stand, if you can do it at all.
- Mh434
- Posts: 1531
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:24 pm
- Location: Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico
- Motorcycle: 1997 gl1500 SE
Previous:
1981 GL1100I
1989 Kawasaki Concours
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Nope - only to lowering the bike itself. If you can lower the seat, it won't affect anything else.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: 1500 possible to lower
No, just the suspension. What happens is that when the bike is lowered (via suspension), the center stand can't rotate forward as much when it is lowered to touch the ground, meaning you have to do a lot more of the lifting. It has to do with the leverage of the center stand as it is rotated, lifting the bike.Jewood20 wrote:Would that also apply to just lowering the seat and not the bike itself?
WingAdmin wrote:Also keep in mind that lowering a bike like this even just an inch will pretty much guarantee that you'll give yourself a hernia every time you try to get it on the center stand, if you can do it at all.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 23874
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: 1500 possible to lower
I had two people ask me where I found the picture of the lowered GL1500 in this month's newsletter, as they were interested in doing that themselves.
Unfortunately, I have to report that this picture is a fabrication - I photoshopped it myself just for the newsletter, to make it look lowered, with a ridiculously sculpted seat.
Unfortunately, I have to report that this picture is a fabrication - I photoshopped it myself just for the newsletter, to make it look lowered, with a ridiculously sculpted seat.
- offcenter
- Posts: 1301
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- Location: Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
- Motorcycle: 99 Gl-1500 SE
76 GL-1000
77 Honda Trail 90
Re: 1500 possible to lower
You did a good job with PhotoShop.
It looks real! LOL!!!
It looks real! LOL!!!
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
Re: 1500 possible to lower
NYUK - NYUK - NYUK
When I do one thing, I'll side-step a little & learn few more things.
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Re: 1500 possible to lower
Hi,
I lowered my 1988 gl 1500 by close to 2 inches. I am 5ft 4 in tall with 28 inch inseam and needed to get it on the ground. I tried a darkside tire and did not like the ride or handling so off it came. I was able to find a 175x60x16 tire that gave me a good inch plus, then I altered the shocks, I installed 12.5 in Harley air shocks on both sides. That gave me another 1 inch, so I was down 2.5 inches and my feet were flat on the ground. So dawning my helmet fired her up and went for a road test. It did ok until the first corner, the center stand drug on a mild lean and could also teater the bike on a hard turn. I added more air and went again, helped with the center stand draging but I was back up to where I started. So back to the shop and removed the Harley shocks and reinstalled to oem shocks. I took the seat off and installed a corbin lowered seat and got alot lower to ground, but the seat width was a problem. I took the seat to seat doctor and had him remove some of the side padding to get my legs closer to the bike at stops and that helped alot. So now my seat highth is 28 inches and with my ridding boots that have a thicker installed sole and heal I am ok with it. That's how I did it, hope this helps.
I lowered my 1988 gl 1500 by close to 2 inches. I am 5ft 4 in tall with 28 inch inseam and needed to get it on the ground. I tried a darkside tire and did not like the ride or handling so off it came. I was able to find a 175x60x16 tire that gave me a good inch plus, then I altered the shocks, I installed 12.5 in Harley air shocks on both sides. That gave me another 1 inch, so I was down 2.5 inches and my feet were flat on the ground. So dawning my helmet fired her up and went for a road test. It did ok until the first corner, the center stand drug on a mild lean and could also teater the bike on a hard turn. I added more air and went again, helped with the center stand draging but I was back up to where I started. So back to the shop and removed the Harley shocks and reinstalled to oem shocks. I took the seat off and installed a corbin lowered seat and got alot lower to ground, but the seat width was a problem. I took the seat to seat doctor and had him remove some of the side padding to get my legs closer to the bike at stops and that helped alot. So now my seat highth is 28 inches and with my ridding boots that have a thicker installed sole and heal I am ok with it. That's how I did it, hope this helps.
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- Location: timbuck too , England, United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: fff
Re: 1500 possible to lower
hi - hope this may help your quest a little - you can get the rear shocks to match too !!
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pr ... wering-kit
Metric
Off Road
Start Here - Your Ride
Fork Lowering Kit
Available for most models. These kits, when combined with shorter than stock rear shocks, will give you that low, custom look. Comes complete with Fork Springs, spacers, and instructions
http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pr ... wering-kit
Metric
Off Road
Start Here - Your Ride
Fork Lowering Kit
Available for most models. These kits, when combined with shorter than stock rear shocks, will give you that low, custom look. Comes complete with Fork Springs, spacers, and instructions
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- Motorcycle: 1980 Harley Davidson FLT, 2007 GL 1800 Goldwing, 1988 GL1500 Goldwing, 1997 Harley Davidson Heritage Springer, 2000 Harley Davidson Heritage springer trike, Harley Bobber project
Re: 1500 possible to lower
Thanks, I will look into it.
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- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100A
1993 1500SE
1982 450CM
1974 360CL
Re: 1500 possible to lower
To Mh434
Do you have any information on the lowering kit you put on your SIL's gl1500, the name of the company that makes them, and/or, a web sight or address, or any contact info?
thanks, glk17l.
Do you have any information on the lowering kit you put on your SIL's gl1500, the name of the company that makes them, and/or, a web sight or address, or any contact info?
thanks, glk17l.
- 38wing
- Posts: 105
- Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2019 8:16 pm
- Location: apache junction az
- Motorcycle: 1982 Honda Goldwing gl1100I
Re: 1500 possible to lower
so all u ended up doing was puting a diff seat on it?adsooter wrote: ↑Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:19 pm Hi,
I lowered my 1988 gl 1500 by close to 2 inches. I am 5ft 4 in tall with 28 inch inseam and needed to get it on the ground. I tried a darkside tire and did not like the ride or handling so off it came. I was able to find a 175x60x16 tire that gave me a good inch plus, then I altered the shocks, I installed 12.5 in Harley air shocks on both sides. That gave me another 1 inch, so I was down 2.5 inches and my feet were flat on the ground. So dawning my helmet fired her up and went for a road test. It did ok until the first corner, the center stand drug on a mild lean and could also teater the bike on a hard turn. I added more air and went again, helped with the center stand draging but I was back up to where I started. So back to the shop and removed the Harley shocks and reinstalled to oem shocks. I took the seat off and installed a corbin lowered seat and got alot lower to ground, but the seat width was a problem. I took the seat to seat doctor and had him remove some of the side padding to get my legs closer to the bike at stops and that helped alot. So now my seat highth is 28 inches and with my ridding boots that have a thicker installed sole and heal I am ok with it. That's how I did it, hope this helps.