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Lowering with smaller tires?

D

deylum

Just got it firing!
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
15
Location
portland oregon
I'd like to lower my '03 Cali Stone at least 1 in. I have some rear shocks that are an inch shorter than what are on there & I can move the forks up in the triple tree & I would like to get slightly smaller tires. Should I go with a smaller diameter or aspect ratio? For example the rear tire is 130/90 17 on a 3.5 in rim. The guy at the tire store says that I should go with a 120/90 but that's what he has in stock & my research says that for a 3.5 in. rim I should go with a 130/80 or even a 130/70. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Matt
 
I have raised my forks through the clamps by 20mm with no problems.I wouldnt go anymore though as the fork sliders go close to touching the clamps.If you put a cable tie around one of the fork tubes above the seal it will tell you how much travel you are using and how close the sliders come to touching the clamps.Push it back down every chance you get and drop the forks back down if necessary.
I have the standard 140/80/17 rear tyre on mine and i think a 130/80/17 should be ok if available.I wouldnt fit a 120 width tyre on a 3.5 inch rim.It is not ideal to vary tyre sizes much from standard.
Be aware that smaller profile tyres in these widths are often suitable for lighter mid capacity bikes and may not cope on Cali,s.They are generally a lighter construction,H rated and not a V rating which is more suitable.
I wanted to fit a 140/70/17 Pirelli Rosso 11,H rated radial but was advised they were made for lighter less powerful bikes and not recommended.
I had an Avon 120/80/18 H rated radial delamite on my Lemans.I felt a wobble and pulled up to see a large boldge in the sidewall.It could have been disastorous,so be warned.After contacting the supplier they said that tyre was for small to medium capacity machines and should not be used on Guzzi,s.
I am not aware of any 130/70/17 or 130/80 tyres suitable for a Cali?
If you find one,check it is suitable for your bike.
Why do you want to lower it?Looks or to reach the ground easier?
 
Thanks for the input, sorry it took so long for me to respond. Anyhow, I'm a little vertically challenged & tilting to one side during a normal stop is fine, it's just a bit unnerving if I have to stop quickly & that's not a good time for being distracted feeling for the ground with my feet. I've only had this bike for a couple of months & am still getting use to it but the last bike I had was a couple of inches shorter so I could easily plant both feet & I like that feeling of stability.
 
deylum said:
I'd like to lower my '03 Cali Stone at least 1 in. I have some rear shocks that are an inch shorter than what are on there & I can move the forks up in the triple tree & I would like to get slightly smaller tires. Should I go with a smaller diameter or aspect ratio? For example the rear tire is 130/90 17 on a 3.5 in rim. The guy at the tire store says that I should go with a 120/90 but that's what he has in stock & my research says that for a 3.5 in. rim I should go with a 130/80 or even a 130/70. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Matt
Click to expand...

I know this is an old thread, but what to watch out for when installing smaller tires is the weight rating. That 120/90 rear tire will not carry the load that the 130/90 tire will. You need to look into that before pulling the trigger. You may get away with it up front. A slightly smaller tire up there will turn in faster than the larger one.
 
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