The Flip: Lower your Roadstar the Fatbike way... Print
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Written by Fatbike   
Thursday, 10 June 2004

These are photos of a bike before it was lowered...B4Profile.jpg (100516 bytes) B4Profile2.jpg (82592 bytes) 
Click on a photo to enlarge.  (Bike courtesy of Father Dave.)

OK, so it's not really MY way, but it is definitely the way that I prefer.  The method below is virtually free, requires nothing more than some time, tools and a bench grinder and drops the bike up to 3 inches lower in the rear.  Removing, grinding and reinstalling the relay arm is all that it takes.

So here it is, complete with photo's;

By Fatbike <--Click here to email Fatbike

Reprinted by Permission from FatBike


These are photos of a bike before it was lowered...B4Profile.jpg (100516 bytes) B4Profile2.jpg (82592 bytes) 
Click on a photo to enlarge.  (Bike courtesy of Father Dave.)

1st you should remove the rear wheel.  Some have removed the relay arm without doing this but you will probably want to remove the wheel for a couple of reasons.  You will need to size up the relay arm in it's new position a couple of times while you are grinding the arm and this is much easier if you have easy access to the area.  Also you will now know how to remove the wheel when it comes to other service that you may do (New tires, bearing lubrication, belt maintenance etc...).

FenderOff.jpg (74688 bytes) WheelOff.jpg (77792 bytes) Click on a photo to enlarge.

Once you have the ABS Plastic Suspension guard removed you will see the relay arm connected to the shock, stationary arms and swing-arm.

RelayInBike.jpg (77464 bytes) Click on  photo to enlarge.

Remove the top nut/bolt first, then the bottom, removing the middle nut/bolt last.  The middle bolt is longer than the others and requires a little manipulation to get it out.  

Once you have the relay arm out B4Relay.jpg (92278 bytes) B4RelayClose.jpg (96999 bytes) Click on a photo to enlarge. 
you will see that what is necessary is to turn the relay arm around so that the rear of the relay arm is in the front, thereby making the offset negative, rather than positive.  The only problem is that the relay arm is designed to clear the shock only when installed the way that it came out.  This is why grinding the arm is necessary.  You will be grinding the area that was once opposite the shock until, upon installing the relay arm in it's new position, all of the bolt holes line up.

The area that has been reshaped will look like this...AfterRelay.jpg (54603 bytes) AfterRelay2.jpg (81107 bytes) Click on a photo to enlarge.

You will be checking the relay arm alignment from time-to-time to see how the piece lines up.  Once all of the bolts can be successfully reinstalled, you can reassemble the components.

The end result is a lower bike that now looks much more proportioned as well as more aggressive, wider and with a rear fender that is stuffed full of tire!

AProfile.jpg (84948 bytes) AProfile2.jpg (86600 bytes) ARearProfile.jpg (87808 bytes) ARPRofile.jpg (79861 bytes)


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DISCLAIMER: This information and procedure is provided as a courtesy and is for informational purposes only.  Neither the publishers nor the authors accept any responsibility for the accuracy, applicability, or suitability of this procedure.  You assume all risks associated with the use of this information.  NEITHER THE PUBLISHERs NOR THE AUTHORs SHALL IN ANY EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OF ANY NATURE ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OR MISUSE OF THIS INFORMATION OR LACK OF INFORMATION.  Any type of modification or service work on your motorcycle should always be performed by a professional mechanic. If performed incorrectly, this procedure may endanger the safety of you and others on your motorcycle and possibly invalidate your manufacturer’s warranty.


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  Comments (10)
Written by GypsyNH, on 09-27-2009 07:34
I had installed Progressive Spring and lowering dogbones (Spring Slam from PCS), had a LOT of trouble with bottoming out and dragging when cornering. So, RAIDER and I yesterday put my stock dogbones back on and did the Flip 'n' Grind on my '03 keeping the Progressive Spring in it. Now his '07 has the lowering dogbones on it. The result: we are both riding lower, but not dragging on the corners, and smiling!
squeeling
Written by AERSTAR, on 04-23-2009 18:46
I used a after market part to lower,but I still have the squeel everyone is getting. Has anyone solved the squeeling  
noise? 'bout to drive me crazy!!!
Written by Roadstar08, on 02-07-2009 09:49
Thought I'd try the flip and see what happened. The bike looks really good and no belt problems.
2008 silverado exhaust
Written by 1947mack, on 01-15-2009 18:48
since it's winter -27' cold right. I wanted to play with my bike. So my question is can you drill the exhaust out even though it is fuel ijected??
"The Flip...?"
Written by rjb0zy, on 06-09-2008 17:19
Hey guys, will this work without doing the front at the same time???
Flip...Squeel...FIX
Written by roadawg, on 01-06-2008 21:26
What I did to fix the dragging floorboards, pipes, and sqeeling belt: Got a heavy duty spring. http://www.baronscustom.com/catalog/display/570/index.html 
This will do the trick...HOWEVER...Dusty gravel roads do tend to make the belt squeak, but down the highway a few miles and the belt is fine.
Sqeeling belt.
Written by rstar4life, on 11-14-2007 08:54
I see alot of people experiencing the squeel when they do the flip. Has anyone been able to resolve the issue? I'm planning on doing the flip and would like to be able to address the squeel once done. Thanks for everyones help...
BELT SQUEEL
Written by Rockpile, on 06-04-2007 07:59
GOT LOTS OF BELT SQUEEL WHEN GEARING DOWN. THOUGHT BELT MIGHT BE TO TIGHT. ADJUSTED IT NOW I THINK BELT MIGHT BE TO LOOSE. SOUNDS LIKE A CHIRPING NOISE THEN IT GOES INTO THE SOUND OF MY WIFE NAGGING. THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE? DON'T KNOW ABOUT A BELT DRESSING OR SILICONE SPRAY. THKS ROCKPILE.
FLIPPED OUT
Written by Rockpile, on 06-01-2007 12:47
DID THIS LAST NIGHT. WOW. SIMPLE WORK. MAN THIS MACHINE IS BUILT SOLID AND THEY KEPT IT SIMPLE STUPID OR STUPID SIMPLE. LOOKS GREAT. FEELS GREAT. GREAT ARTICAL AGAIN. THKS :grin
Flopping FLip
Written by LROD, on 05-01-2007 13:54
Used the flip on my 06 R*...have Cobra exhaust...(axle length)...it now drags when cornering. Ordered dog bones directly from PCS(cheaper shipping)...flopping flip.

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