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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 27 Jan 2008
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new guy-lowering question
Hello all-my 1st post! I have an 86XT600 and want to lower it (too tall for me) Ive raised the forks all the way, till they hit the handlebars & gave me 2-3cm drop. I was wondering if anyone has swapped a shorter rear shock- looks like an xt350 shock is 2-3cm shorter and should work? Or--does anyone make a lowering link like the sportbikes have?
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  #2  
Old 27 Jan 2008
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XT lowering
For the shock, if it's cheap (30\40 USD) you can buy and try to put it on the bike, be prepared to make small works to install it, sometimes screws have different size, XT600 is usually 12mm upper 14 mm lower, XT350 could be different (12 -12).

Another simple way could be cut a slice of the foam from seatpost, (better to have it done from a specialist to avoid to make it useless) should cost approximately the same, but without all the "incognita" of changing shock...
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Old 27 Jan 2008
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I have 2 XT600 3AJ from 88 and 89. The 89 model has a new rear shock and is lower then the
88 with its worn out shock. I spoke to some one about this they said there were different settings on the shock to make it higher or lower. I had never heard this before and have not had a good look to see if its true but you could check your shock to see if its adjustable.
I had another XT 3aj that was even lower I did not have the bike long before selling it I then found a spare wheel that came with the bike and it was a steel rim 17" that came from a later XT. Not sure if its advisable to have a 17" rear with a 21" front but it worked ok you may have to change the rear sprocket size.
The seat is probadly the easist to change you can buy a scruffy old seat and cut this up if yours is good condition.
Good luck
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  #4  
Old 28 Jan 2008
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Right now, I have the threaded pre-load collar backed off as far as it can go w/o the spring falling off. But w/minimal pre-load, the rear is super mushy feeling. Im almost 200lbs & its wat too soft this way.
I thought about the seat but its near perfect & I hate to goof it up. Too bad the rear swing arm/shock linkage is so overly complex- I have a spare set but am confused as to which link needs to be shortened or lenghthened to get a drop w/o binding?

Seems like the xt350 shock is the easiest & cheapest way to go. Anyone got a good one to sell me?
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Old 28 Jan 2008
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lowering link
Hi try Kouba Link
They were very helpful when I required one for my crf, fast shipping(usa)
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  #6  
Old 28 Jan 2008
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Be aware that used shocks sold on ebay or similar are usually taken from bikes that have a lot of miles on, so are cheap but at the same time useless.

If you can find a service that makes car tuning, they will be able to help you modifying your shock. Doing a service on it, inserting some spacers inside to shorten it, maybe putting a shorter spring if needed, you will have a new shock and shorter.

But again as someone said, find a cheap seatpost on ebay, that will be the easiest way without to risk to change radically ur bike.
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