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How To: Lower the M109R (with pics)

86K views 183 replies 94 participants last post by  thevili 
#1 · (Edited)
http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0024.jpg
This is a comparison of the OEM Suzuki bones (left) and a set of aftermarket bones (right). Note the slightly longer length of the aftermarket bones. These bones are made by Jason...

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0025.jpg
First off, prepare your M109R to be lifted. There is a shield plate that you must remove before lifting the bike. Make sure to properly support the bike both front and rear. Unless you want 600lbs of motorcycle landing on top of you while your wrenching on the bike. Ask a friend to help if you can.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0027.jpg
This is the shield plate found under the bike. Once removed, set it aside til your done.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0028.jpg
Now lift the bike at or near the center of balance. You don't want the bike to easily tilt forward or rearward.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0029.jpg
Remove the chrome cover over the drive shaft. Remove the (2) screws holding the electronics box and let it hang down out of the way. Remove the chrome cover bracket (shown). Set it aside for later.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0030.jpg
Removed the electronics bracket and set it aside.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0031.jpg
Now you have access to the suspension. You will be removing (3) bolts. Bolt 1 connects the large end of the bones to the frame. Bolt 2 connects both small ends of the bones to the suspension. Bolt 3 connects the spring over shock to the suspension. Starting with bolt 3 is recommended, with the spring over shock disconnected. The spring over shock will drop down out of your way and you can then remove bolts 2 and 1

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0032.jpg
A 19mm socket on 1/2 inch drive along with a 17mm wrench will do the job on the left side. A 19mm (or 3/4) inch wrench and 17mm will do the right side.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0033.jpg
Oooppsss, had to massage one of the bones. Looks like a little too much weld filler and powdercoat won't let the bolt through. Time to whip it with a round course file. About 30-45 mins and the bolt moves easily in the bone.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0034.jpg
Install the new bones. Make sure to use some good quality grease on the bones. Note: Bolt up the bones first and leave the spring over shock for last. You will need a floor jack to lift the rear tire until the shock and suspension line up. Make sure all the bolts are tight.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0035.jpg
Put everything back together. Clean up any left over grease or fingerprints. Place a couple of pieces of wood for the rear tire to sit on when you lower the bike to the ground. Otherwise, you won't be able to remove the bike lift.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0036.jpg
Make sure to support the bike when you lower it. Once back on the wheels, it will tilt.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0037.jpg
Ahhh,,, Now doesn't that look better! THIS is the way I think the bike should come from the factory.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0038.jpg
Sit on the bike and test the action of the suspension. Make sure it does not bind or do anything obviously wrong.

http://www.buttrynet.com/external/M109/Pict0039.jpg
Now wash the bike up and go for a ride.... :bigthumbsup:

Edit: Had a server failure and lost some pics. Sorry folks..
 

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#103 ·
It's easier to watch and drink Beers :beer3: :beer2: :bigthumbsup:
 
#104 ·
Well, first off this is my first post to the forums and would like to say welcome. I just purchased my 07 m109r (black) this past weekend and love it. I am in south florida and was wondering if there is anyone around that has done this and would like to help, i got the beer lol. Whats the best place to buy the bones at? also where do you guys get the tag relocators that go underneath the rear fender, i have search and found some but am wondering if everything sticks to a specific one?

Thank guys
 
#107 ·
First of all awesome how to. I think it gives people confidence to just go for it. I did mine a little different though. Since its still winter here in north east pa, I did several mods at once. Cobra dragsters, FI200R, Elite III tire, and 2.5 lowering bones. Since I had the rear wheel off I installed the bones that way. It gave great access to everything, and allowed for great leverage on breaker bars and wrenches. If I had to do it again I would pull the wheel off. It also made it easy to reconnect the shock to the bones, I just moved the swing arm by hand. (I supported the swing arm with a strap, before removing shock bolt) I also have a lever action jack which fits under the lowest bikes. Heres a link to a pic of the jack.

http://www.machomanjack.com/products/streetbike_photos/rear-up-lg.gif
 
#108 ·
G'day fellows ,Sak from Australia, need some advice= lookn at lowering the rear and ive got no idea on what level to drop the Bike and how to get these pictures of the way how to do it! Ive got plenty photos of 109s lowered but none tell me how low theyve droped them, so feel free Bro's to tell this old school motor Mech how to do it{lower the Bike that is] ??? ???
 
#109 ·
sak said:
G'day fellows ,Sak from Australia, need some advice= lookn at lowering the rear and ive got no idea on what level to drop the Bike and how to get these pictures of the way how to do it! Ive got plenty photos of 109s lowered but none tell me how low theyve droped them, so feel free Bro's to tell this old school motor Mech how to do it{lower the Bike that is] ??? ???
Sak, I'd suggest 2.25" drop. Mine is 2.5" drop and I love it but some folks have had issues with drops of 2.5" or more.

P.S. I'm 5'8" at 215lbs and I never bottom out and rarely scrap (except in the mountains).
 
#110 ·
littleed1406 said:
First of all awesome how to. I think it gives people confidence to just go for it. I did mine a little different though. Since its still winter here in north east pa, I did several mods at once. Cobra dragsters, FI200R, Elite III tire, and 2.5 lowering bones. Since I had the rear wheel off I installed the bones that way. It gave great access to everything, and allowed for great leverage on breaker bars and wrenches. If I had to do it again I would pull the wheel off. It also made it easy to reconnect the shock to the bones, I just moved the swing arm by hand. (I supported the swing arm with a strap, before removing shock bolt) I also have a lever action jack which fits under the lowest bikes. Heres a link to a pic of the jack.

http://www.machomanjack.com/products/streetbike_photos/rear-up-lg.gif
:agree: I have to give a ditto to that! With the rear wheel off, it was so much easier to wrench on the bones! :bigthumbsup:
 
#111 ·
Guys, good posts all around. I just got 2.25 lowering bones and was following the directions but though I'm no real stranger to tools (1st time working on a bike though), I can't figure out how to remove the chrome piece that covers the shaft. I got it up on the jack. I removed two bolts but the chrome cover is still catching on the black trim that houses the seat lock. Do I need to remove that as well? Any help is appreciated.

Rick
 
#112 ·
radside said:
Guys, good posts all around. I just got 2.25 lowering bones and was following the directions but though I'm no real stranger to tools (1st time working on a bike though), I can't figure out how to remove the chrome piece that covers the shaft. I got it up on the jack. I removed two bolts but the chrome cover is still catching on the black trim that houses the seat lock. Do I need to remove that as well? Any help is appreciated.

Rick
OK, you've gone further than you ever should. All you need to remove is the black plastic side piece to get to the lowering bolts. The lowering bones are close to the rear tire. I'm not really sure what chrome your talking about..
 
#113 ·
Thanks... I give that a shot. I thought that I'd read that the chrome piece must be removed as well but if not, makes the install a little easier. Thanks...this forums rocks. :bigthumbsup:
 
#115 ·
Whew...just finished installing the 2.25 lowering bones. Thanks for all the excellent posts...couldn't have done it without the help from this board. :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:
 
#116 ·
Maybe I missed it in the 6 pages here but after you lower the bike in the rear do you have to drop the triple tree to keep the bike *level*?

I know that when I lowered my Gixxer, not only did i have to change out the dog bone but I had to lower the tree (raise the forks) as well. Just wondering if it really matters on this size of a bike.
 
#117 ·
Devskal said:
Maybe I missed it in the 6 pages here but after you lower the bike in the rear do you have to drop the triple tree to keep the bike *level*?

I know that when I lowered my Gixxer, not only did i have to change out the dog bone but I had to lower the tree (raise the forks) as well. Just wondering if it really matters on this size of a bike.
Nope..

I think a couple of folks have lowered the triple tree but it's not required. The bike sits nice and flat..
 
#118 ·
Devskal said:
Maybe I missed it in the 6 pages here but after you lower the bike in the rear do you have to drop the triple tree to keep the bike *level*?

I know that when I lowered my Gixxer, not only did i have to change out the dog bone but I had to lower the tree (raise the forks) as well. Just wondering if it really matters on this size of a bike.
The only reason for lowering your trees, would be if you felt a difference in steering, like it was getting looser. You do alter the trail a bit by lowering the back, but with only 2.5" I would say it shouldn´t matter much to the handling of the bike. It does physically, but I think it will only be felt psychically.
 
#119 ·
About to lower my new 9 with the 2.75 bones but I had to take it in for the 600 mile oil change cost around $188.00 not bad I guess. I asked what the cost would be to lower it, $125.00 for them to do it but they told me I would have to replace my kickstand as well.... is this true? Thanks for all the help this site has given and no a friend and I will be doing the lowering, need to save the money for everything else I want.
 
#121 ·
IOLSTUDIOS said:
About to lower my new 9 with the 2.75 bones but I had to take it in for the 600 mile oil change cost around $188.00 not bad I guess. I asked what the cost would be to lower it, $125.00 for them to do it but they told me I would have to replace my kickstand as well.... is this true? Thanks for all the help this site has given and no a friend and I will be doing the lowering, need to save the money for everything else I want.
Looks like they see some spare change in your pocket and want it really bad...
 
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