Slide forks?

[udiaz27]

I have a 2012 Ducati monster evo and I was wondering, how do you raise and lower forks? Please be as detailed as possible, thanks.

[udiaz27]

I'm trying to install clip-ons, so I either need to raise or lower (slide) forks in order to install clip-ons properly. Thanks people.

[suzyj]

It's easy.  Support the front of the bike with a stand that holds under the lower triple, to get the weight off the front wheel, then undo the pinch bolts holding the fork tubes to the triples, and slide the fork tubes through until they're at the desired height.

Make sure the two sides are very even.  Don't make big changes (>1cm) without thinking through the geometry and effect on turn in and steering stability.

[udiaz27]

A couple cm, so I can get the clip-on attached to the fork, but the clamp isn't giving me enough Clearance. So I began to move the fork, but it's only going up. Is this because there is to much pressure on the front, I'm only using the rear stand. I don't have a bike stand so can I use a regular jack?

[Slide Panda]

Also remember that if you're moving the fork legs up or down you are changing the geometry of the bike. Raise the forks too much and you'll find the bike unstable at speed - and a little can go a long way, so don't crazy.

YOu need some way to take the weight off the front. Classic way is to suspend the bike. Got rafters or even a heavy duty ladder? With something above that can take the weight you can use hand operated come-along and straps attached to the fore part frame to lift the front end.

Do not toss a bottle jack under the engine and have at it. You'll probably end up with a bike on the ground and damage you don't want to deal with.

[udiaz27]

Found a motorcycle jack in my garage lol, now I just have to figure out how to use it. I'm only going to lower the forks a wee bit just so I can have clearance to install clip-ons. Thanks for the info you guys.

[Slide Panda]

Be careful. The engine in the duc isn't meant as a lifting point if you do so, get some wood to distribute the load as much as possible. Also you need to lift from infront of the balance point or it'll lift off your rear stand.