Helix
Member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2016
- Messages
- 27
- Reaction score
- 28
- Points
- 18
- Location
- Little Rock, Arkansas
After installing the Seat Concepts foam and cover on the stock seat of my 2016 NC700XD I was pleased with the improved comfort and the angle of the seat, but it did raise the front of the seat enough (1/2”?) that I could tell lowering the bike would be an improvement for my 31” inseam.
I decided to go with the Soupy’s Adjustable Links, since I liked the adjustable part. And I also got the adjustable sidestand. Soupy’s doesn’t give a phone number so it’s email only for questions and can take a day to get a response. I had a few questions but details are not their strength. They make a hefty link and they set them both to the same length that shouldn’t be changed until they are installed.
I decided to install the sidestand first. After putting the bike on the center stand, you first remove a small bolt holding the sidestand switch. Then remove the nut for the sidestand then unscrew the bolt from the back. Fortunately, when I removed the switch I noticed the flat paw that goes into the sidestand and moves with the stand to break the connection when the stand is lowered. I say fortunately because the hole for the paw in Soupy’s sidestand looked awfully small. I checked the hole diameter in the stock sidestand and it was obviously bigger. It may be the right diameter for older bikes but for a 2016 I drilled it out to 5/32” just like the stock sidestand, avoiding any problem attaching the switch. Installation of the sidestand was straight-forward but I did adjust it longer, than as received.
For the links, I left it on the center stand and loosened the nuts of the stock links. You may have to backup on the head of the bolt since they may turn while trying to loosen the nut. I used a screw jack to put upward pressure on the swing-arm until the bolts were free. At this point the stock links and bolts can be removed. Take care the keep the bushings in place and not come out with the bolts and onto the floor. They ride in needle bearings that don’t like dirt.
Soupy’s links are like a turnbuckle, right-hand thread on one end and left-hand thread on the other. He marks the left-hand thread end with a scribe mark around the hex body. I decided to put the right-hand thread on the lower bolt, which is the most visible. Since we’re used to looking at right-hand threads, it’s easier to turn it the correct direction to unscrew it, if you want to lengthen it, which is what you do to lower the bike.
Once installed and link nuts tightened, I removed the screw jack from the swing-arm. I marked the hex body flat facing me (with a marking pen) so I could keep count of how many flats I was turning. I arbitrarily, decided to go 6 flats or one complete rotation of lengthening. This just happened to be about 1” and sitting on the bike I was flat footing again. Since the center stand is now too tall to work easily, I made a ramp from a 2x6 by beveling one edge. Some of that thin rubber shelving liner will keep it from sliding. Roll it up on the ramp, lean it over on the side stand, load the arm of the center stand as you stand it up and pop it up.
Handling the lower bike is much easier and after some aggressive turns I don’t plan on dropping the front. It feels and handles just fine. Hope this info helps someone.
Helix
I decided to go with the Soupy’s Adjustable Links, since I liked the adjustable part. And I also got the adjustable sidestand. Soupy’s doesn’t give a phone number so it’s email only for questions and can take a day to get a response. I had a few questions but details are not their strength. They make a hefty link and they set them both to the same length that shouldn’t be changed until they are installed.
I decided to install the sidestand first. After putting the bike on the center stand, you first remove a small bolt holding the sidestand switch. Then remove the nut for the sidestand then unscrew the bolt from the back. Fortunately, when I removed the switch I noticed the flat paw that goes into the sidestand and moves with the stand to break the connection when the stand is lowered. I say fortunately because the hole for the paw in Soupy’s sidestand looked awfully small. I checked the hole diameter in the stock sidestand and it was obviously bigger. It may be the right diameter for older bikes but for a 2016 I drilled it out to 5/32” just like the stock sidestand, avoiding any problem attaching the switch. Installation of the sidestand was straight-forward but I did adjust it longer, than as received.
For the links, I left it on the center stand and loosened the nuts of the stock links. You may have to backup on the head of the bolt since they may turn while trying to loosen the nut. I used a screw jack to put upward pressure on the swing-arm until the bolts were free. At this point the stock links and bolts can be removed. Take care the keep the bushings in place and not come out with the bolts and onto the floor. They ride in needle bearings that don’t like dirt.
Soupy’s links are like a turnbuckle, right-hand thread on one end and left-hand thread on the other. He marks the left-hand thread end with a scribe mark around the hex body. I decided to put the right-hand thread on the lower bolt, which is the most visible. Since we’re used to looking at right-hand threads, it’s easier to turn it the correct direction to unscrew it, if you want to lengthen it, which is what you do to lower the bike.
Once installed and link nuts tightened, I removed the screw jack from the swing-arm. I marked the hex body flat facing me (with a marking pen) so I could keep count of how many flats I was turning. I arbitrarily, decided to go 6 flats or one complete rotation of lengthening. This just happened to be about 1” and sitting on the bike I was flat footing again. Since the center stand is now too tall to work easily, I made a ramp from a 2x6 by beveling one edge. Some of that thin rubber shelving liner will keep it from sliding. Roll it up on the ramp, lean it over on the side stand, load the arm of the center stand as you stand it up and pop it up.
Handling the lower bike is much easier and after some aggressive turns I don’t plan on dropping the front. It feels and handles just fine. Hope this info helps someone.
Helix
