ADJUSTMENTS YOU CAN MAKE ON YOUR MOTORCYCLE TO BETTER SUIT YOU
July 20, 2020
Few people actually take the time to adjust their bikes to become more ergonomically comfortable to their bodies, and shockingly many riders don’t even realize this can be done.
Most motorcycles these days are designed and built to be adjustable to a wide range of options that can be altered to your riding style or preference.
ADJUSTING YOUR LEVER
One of the first things you do when you acquire a motorcycle.
Levers that are TOO LOW will force you to reach for them.
Levers that are TOO HIGH will strain your wrists to grab them
Loosen the clamp on the clip on and rotate them to where its more comfortable for you.
Adjustable levers come as standard usually on new motorcycles or it can be purchased and installed as an aftermarket product. A very common modification on sport bikes that can EXTEND or RETRACT the lever to your desire.
High-quality levers are essential for a great biking experience. And while stock levers may do the job, you cannot have the highest level of comfort and control without some adjustable brake and clutch levers for motorcycles. There are two types of adjustable levers available on the market
Semi-adjustable
Fully adjustable.
ADJUSTING CLIP-ON HANDLEBARS
Just as with levers simply loosen the pinch bolts and rotate them IN or OUT, while sitting on the bike, to a positive that you desire, and tighten them back up.
They are lightweight and weigh less when compared to conventional handlebars.
They offer an aggressive riding stance. The rider needs to bend forward to reach the bars, which aids the rider during track days and races.
These are available as individual, which in an event of a crash only the damaged part can be easily replaced.
The aggressive stance can take a toll on the riders back and shoulder, resulting in rider fatigue.
The low mounted handlebars might be a headache while taking tight turns – the handle striking the fairing might limit its turning radius as well.
ADJUSTING THE IDLE ON A MOTRCYCLE
A motorcycle’s idle speed refers to the how fast your motorcycle rolls forward when you release the brake with the engine running. If you have a carburetor on your bike, the idle speed can be adjusted by the aptly named idle screw. If you have a fuel-injected bike, you may be able to adjust the idle speed with the small knob that sticks out of engine compartment on the left or right side of the bike.
Check your motorcycle’s manual to find the recommended idle RPM. The ideal idle speed for your bike is listed in your manual. Flip through your specific manual to find the ideal RPM settings, which is usually around 700-1,000 RPM.
Locate the carburetor on your motorcycle by looking next to the engine. The carburetor’s location varies from bike to bike. The carburetor’s job is to combine the air and gas to make it combustible. It also regulates the idle speed through a small screw, which is appropriately named the idle screw. The idle screw controls how much gas feeds into the engine when you aren’t throttling.
Tighten the screw clockwise to increase the idle speed. If your idle speed is too low, use a Phillips head screwdriver to turn the idle screw clockwise. If the coil is vertical and the screw is at the bottom, you need to turn the screw counterclockwise if you’re looking at it from above. Turn the screw 1-2 times to make minor adjustments, or 3-5 times to dramatically increase the idle RPM.
On some bikes, you can adjust the screw by hand. It’s generally safer to do this with a screwdriver, though.
Get on your bike and release the brake to see how it feels. After you’ve adjusted the idle screw, sit on your bike and lift the kickstand up with your foot. Release the brake to let it idle for 5–10 feet (1.5–3.0 m). This will give you a sense for whether your idle speed is appropriate or not
ADJUSTING THE SHIFTER PEG/BRAKE
To adjust your shift, lever up or down, you’ll need to adjust your shift rod, which connects the shift lever to the transmission or shift shaft. There are two lock nuts, one on either end of the shift rod.
Use the two 8mm or 10mm wrenches (depending on model) to loosen the lock nuts from the ends of the rod. The rod is reverse thread, so to loosen the lock nut, pull the wrenches away from each other (pull one toward the bike, the other toward you).
With the lock nuts loose, get on the bike and have a friend twist the rod in either direction to bring the shift lever up or down. While sitting on the bike, let your friend know what position that the shift lever feels most comfortable. Once you’ve found it, have your friend pull the wrenches toward each other to tighten the lock nuts.
ADJUSTING THE FOOT PEGS
Ride longer, with more comfort and better control with adjustable foot pegs specifically designed for your motorcycle. Whether you are looking for wider adventure style off-road and on road convertible foot rests or multiple position rider, passenger and highway pegs.
A must for performance riders.