Reducing the height of Machismo

Shashank.A · 23rd July 2009, 10:07

I have been trying to ask this in another thread, however I feel that a new thread would get better response.

I am short and stout person, and am barely able to handle the bullet, primarily due to the height factor. In the city conditions I do pretty okay, however I need to actually reduce the height a bit to feel more confident and comfortable.

The first option that comes to mind is Downsizing and low profile tyre. Maybe a modified seat ?

How low can one go on a Bull ? what would be the effects on that ?

musicmanaman · 23rd July 2009, 10:10

I have seen some bullets with smaller rims and tyres, that may be the best possible solution.

lohithrao · 23rd July 2009, 10:32

Shashank, 18 rims for both wheels will help, i guess have suggested the same in another thread.

alpha1 · 23rd July 2009, 10:34

First option would be to reduce the height of seat.
But remember thin seat will make your butt sore after long rides.

However, this would be the cheapest option.

Lower profile tyres will also help - but at the cost of handling and stability.

Smaller wheels will be the most expensive option here.

Shashank.A · 23rd July 2009, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha1

Lower profile tyres will also help - but at the cost of handling and stability.

Are low profile tyres less stable ?

Quote:

Smaller wheels will be the most expensive option here.

How small can I go ?

Technocrat · 23rd July 2009, 13:56

I dont think low profile tyres will make much difference. besides with all that weight you would need some really good quality tyres if going low profile.

Try to source 18 inch rims which will fit the bullet although I am not sure how easy or touch it would be.

Did you try modifying your seat? That would be the easiest to do & revert back. I know of people who have done such mods for Pulsars.

Go to some good seat guy, he will cut of a good chunk of foam (not randomly but in calculated manner) which should give you height advantage without compromising much on comfort.

Shashank.A · 23rd July 2009, 14:06

Seat is something I will get done. With my weight, anyhow the stock seat gets uncomfortable after some time. I guess it has a metal frame, and when you are sitting on for too long, the foam goes down and the metal frame starts to press against the body. This leads to reduced circulation of blood, and some inconvenience.

aruncheloor · 23rd July 2009, 14:24

Switching to 18" will be the best option.. even i hate the 19".. too tall.. but the spoke pattern of the bull is of a concern.. the usual bike rims has a 36 nos spoke pattern.. i believe bull has 40 or something.. correct me if im wrong. If its 36, you should be able to use the rear rim of Classic CBZ.. we RD350ians use this rim as our OE alternative

The new Bullet Classic500 EFI has 18" Rims & Tyres.. try to get a pair.. if you have some contacts @ Royal Enfield Factory.. wont be easy though.. or just wait.. untill the Classic500 hits the Indian roads

Note from the Team-BHP Support Team : Please take the time to use proper punctuation as per Team-BHP rules. Avoid...typing...like...this. Thanks.

MumBiker · 23rd July 2009, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by aruncheloor

or just wait.. untill the Classic500 hits the Indian roads

IMHO That would be quite a wait

I would definitely say a Seat alteration would be the first option, the second option will be a wheel resizing operation.

For Wheels you can try : India's leading distributor of motorcycle parts. Specialists in Royal Enfield spares and accessories. or Royal Enfield Zone - Wheel Components for Royal Enfield Bullet, Electra, Machismo, Thunderbird, Standard :: Royal Enfield Zone, New Delhi, India

You can also get some idea from a local seat guy and for patterns you can see whats available on these websites.

alter.e.go · 23rd July 2009, 15:33

I beleive 18 inch rims give you a wider choice of tyres as well.
M45 / TVS Jumbo / Monster. Of which I feel the M45 has the best grip by far.
Besides the hub (36 spoke ) what are changes are required to be made when stepping down to 18 ?
Lohitrao is a TVS Jumbo 120/80 a staright fit or are any modifications needed ?

alter.e.go · 5th August 2009, 02:34

Pardon my ignorance!

Would a 18 inch rim in front with the smaller hub cause a problem while attaching the disk brake ?

IronWolf · 5th August 2009, 07:38

if you wanna go lower go crazy with Eliminator rear rims. Seen quite a few of these mods as well.

Also RE discs on 18" is not an issue

Sankar · 5th August 2009, 10:39

You can get both hubs altered with 36 holes and use any 36 spoke rim. Stick to 18 front and rear for best handling. 15 at the rear is possible with mods to the swingarm, but it wil make the handling lazy. Go to an independent bullet wshop for wheel mods.

phamilyman · 5th August 2009, 11:00

call my mech jitender (he does raid prep as well as service including 16" rear tyyres on fiero etc). 9810550243. give my ref - red pulsar 180. he will help and CHEAPLY/RELIABLY!

Gordon · 5th August 2009, 13:06

Lower the rear frame on which the rear mudguard is mounted. Several mounting points of the mudguard may have to be changed. This is the easiest and safest option. However, ride quality may suffer making it a little uncomfortable on bumps and ditches.

23rd July 2009, 10:07	#1
Shashank.A BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 484 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Reducing the height of Machismo I have been trying to ask this in another thread, however I feel that a new thread would get better response. I am short and stout person, and am barely able to handle the bullet, primarily due to the height factor. In the city conditions I do pretty okay, however I need to actually reduce the height a bit to feel more confident and comfortable. The first option that comes to mind is Downsizing and low profile tyre. Maybe a modified seat ? How low can one go on a Bull ? what would be the effects on that ?
	() Thanks

23rd July 2009, 10:10	#2
musicmanaman BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: kolkata Posts: 927 Thanked: 25 Times	I have seen some bullets with smaller rims and tyres, that may be the best possible solution.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2009, 10:32	#3
lohithrao Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kudla/Mangaluru Posts: 3,203 Thanked: 226 Times View My Garage	Shashank, 18 rims for both wheels will help, i guess have suggested the same in another thread.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2009, 10:34	#4
alpha1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LandOfNoWinters Posts: 2,179 Thanked: 3,008 Times	First option would be to reduce the height of seat. But remember thin seat will make your butt sore after long rides. However, this would be the cheapest option. Lower profile tyres will also help - but at the cost of handling and stability. Smaller wheels will be the most expensive option here.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2009, 13:56	#6
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,765 Thanked: 2,705 Times	I dont think low profile tyres will make much difference. besides with all that weight you would need some really good quality tyres if going low profile. Try to source 18 inch rims which will fit the bullet although I am not sure how easy or touch it would be. Did you try modifying your seat? That would be the easiest to do & revert back. I know of people who have done such mods for Pulsars. Go to some good seat guy, he will cut of a good chunk of foam (not randomly but in calculated manner) which should give you height advantage without compromising much on comfort.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2009, 14:06	#7
Shashank.A BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 484 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Seat is something I will get done. With my weight, anyhow the stock seat gets uncomfortable after some time. I guess it has a metal frame, and when you are sitting on for too long, the foam goes down and the metal frame starts to press against the body. This leads to reduced circulation of blood, and some inconvenience.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2009, 14:24	#8
aruncheloor BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trichur, Kerala Posts: 231 Thanked: 216 Times	Switching to 18" will be the best option.. even i hate the 19".. too tall.. but the spoke pattern of the bull is of a concern.. the usual bike rims has a 36 nos spoke pattern.. i believe bull has 40 or something.. correct me if im wrong. If its 36, you should be able to use the rear rim of Classic CBZ.. we RD350ians use this rim as our OE alternative The new Bullet Classic500 EFI has 18" Rims & Tyres.. try to get a pair.. if you have some contacts @ Royal Enfield Factory.. wont be easy though.. or just wait.. untill the Classic500 hits the Indian roads Note from the Team-BHP Support Team : Please take the time to use proper punctuation as per Team-BHP rules. Avoid...typing...like...this. Thanks. Last edited by Technocrat : 23rd July 2009 at 16:11. Reason: Please read the note in post, thanks
	() Thanks

23rd July 2009, 15:33	#10
alter.e.go BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 137 Thanked: 56 Times	I beleive 18 inch rims give you a wider choice of tyres as well. M45 / TVS Jumbo / Monster. Of which I feel the M45 has the best grip by far. Besides the hub (36 spoke ) what are changes are required to be made when stepping down to 18 ? Lohitrao is a TVS Jumbo 120/80 a staright fit or are any modifications needed ?
	() Thanks

5th August 2009, 02:34	#11
alter.e.go BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 137 Thanked: 56 Times	Pardon my ignorance! Would a 18 inch rim in front with the smaller hub cause a problem while attaching the disk brake ?
	() Thanks

5th August 2009, 07:38	#12
IronWolf Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Benga-loo-ru Posts: 1,569 Thanked: 45 Times View My Garage	if you wanna go lower go crazy with Eliminator rear rims. Seen quite a few of these mods as well. Also RE discs on 18" is not an issue
	() Thanks

5th August 2009, 10:39	#13
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,780 Thanked: 9,253 Times	You can get both hubs altered with 36 holes and use any 36 spoke rim. Stick to 18 front and rear for best handling. 15 at the rear is possible with mods to the swingarm, but it wil make the handling lazy. Go to an independent bullet wshop for wheel mods.
	() Thanks

5th August 2009, 11:00	#14
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,975 Thanked: 4,673 Times	call my mech jitender (he does raid prep as well as service including 16" rear tyyres on fiero etc). 9810550243. give my ref - red pulsar 180. he will help and CHEAPLY/RELIABLY!
	() Thanks

5th August 2009, 13:06	#15
Gordon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,549 Thanked: 508 Times View My Garage	Lower the rear frame on which the rear mudguard is mounted. Several mounting points of the mudguard may have to be changed. This is the easiest and safest option. However, ride quality may suffer making it a little uncomfortable on bumps and ditches.
	() Thanks