how much lowering down the forks, would be acceptable?

 

less than an inch. the majority of the time when forks are brought up the tree it's usually 5-10mm.

When done properly the forks on a drag bike are lowered internally or a quick/cheap method is to use straps.

 

I would think using straps would cause more unwanted strain on the front suspension of the bike, is this true? And would you suggest using straps over lowering the tree that far down the forks?

 

I drag race motorcycles. The purpose for a front end "strap" is to not only lower the front of the bike but to compress the front suspension to make the bike work harder to bring the front end up into a "wheelie" when launching the bike hard from a dead stop. It is also not a good idea to use the straps fully strapped down on the street because it doesnt allow the front forks to travel causing the fork seals to blow out.

 

Dang Yo is correct, a front end that's strapped makes it a little more difficult for the front end to come up since it's not being assisted by the forks. You absolutely should not ride on the street with a strapped front end because of the limitation you have put on the forks, its almost like riding with no front suspension if it's strapped too much.

Yes, strapping the front does put pressure on the fork internals but I'm unsure how much shorter the life expectancy is. I do know that the 600rr had lots of issues with leaking seals from things like strapping the bikes down (for transportation).

Either built a purpose built bike or build a focused street bike, the difference is one is ONLY for the track and the other is for the street but can be 'focused' on straight line riding (stretched and slightly lowered). This same concept has been used by track riders and racers, most will own a track only bike and a street bike.

 

I have no interest in tracking my bike, maybe if anything try the track a few times. I would like to lower the front end, and you seem pretty adamant that the best way to go is lowering the forks internally. Will I be able to lower the forks 2 inches internally?

 

What kind of bike is this?

Your best bet is to contact a local shop and see what they can do, most forks are limited so you may or may not be able to lower them a full 2 inches internally (but you could combine a 1" internal drop with a 1" external drop).

The real question is why, what are you looking to get out of your bike and why do you want to lower it?

 

It is a 2006 R6. And, the reason I wanting to lower the front is purely comestics. I am going to be lowering the rear 2 inches and believe I read some where that the front should be lowered if the rear is. I could be completely wrong about this thou. Also, what I plan to do with the bike, is just ride on the streets. I am just going for looks and being the lowered bike will be comfortable to ride to me.

 

I've actually thought about owning an 06+ R6 and lowering strictly for street use...knowing myself it would be decked with track plastics before I order any lowering links.

First off, lowering the bike will affect the way it handles and in an adverse manner; you're changing the geometry and balance of the bike.

If you do lower it you want to lower the front and rear equally so that you keep the same rake, if the rake is off you could have a potential hazard on your hands.

The R6 does have a pretty ridiculously high seat height so if you're lowering also to make it easier to manage then consider shaving the seat down a little, you can get almost an inch off the seat without killing the comfort (some have even replaced the foam with better foam that is thinner).

Talk to a couple of shops about the forks, see what kind of options you have and what you might be able to get out of the forks (if anything at all).

For the rear I would suggest an screw-based adjustable link, not the triangles or dogbones with multiple holes in them, you want something that you can fine tune. Something like THIS

 

I lowered my first R6 and I did it in every wrong way (lower triangles and lowering the tree), the bike handled like crap and the forks were a nuisance.