I've read reports from several guys that have extended their 14 and they said if you stay under 6 inches it barely affects the handling I'm planning to be under 5... I had found another write up some where the guy had stretched his I think 4 inches and didn't lower the bike at all and he said it handled better.

And my goals are to get faster on the strip I don't need to be any faster on the street....

I haven't rode it that much since I stretched it. Gotta watch the rodes this time of year from where they treat for snow. Gravel is EVERYWHERE! But so far all is ok. But probably haven't even gone over sixty. So can't give a good report.

Thanks for the feedback

conneaut14 wrote :

Privateer this is a thread about the mans bike and what he has done to it... not a thread for everyone to bash stretched bikes he likes it and its his so that's what matters.... I am asking him questions because of his setup if I wanted to know how hard bags affected the bike I'd come to you but I wouldn't come to your picture thread calling you a poser for setting your bike up like a connie... everyone has there likes and dislikes that's just a fact of life.

On this forum, anyone posts anything it will get positive and negative posts. It is the strength of the forum. Some of us give facts about how it will perform because we ourselves had stretched bikes and experienced the handling problems.

Its true I'm setting my ZX14 to do most of the things a C14 can do. But I'm not reducing its cornering ability, nor lowering its HP with loud, ineffective exhaust system.

But you are right, this is about Wild's stretch, and you shouldn't be taking it over to attack me. Or this that too subtle for you ?

I can't say about stretching...but I can comment(not that anyone asked)about lowering.My baby lost a lot of cornering stability by doing that.1" front and back.Probably WAY too much.Went back to stock.

I'm about 5'7......with heels on. So I had to lower it a little in the rear. Didn't like tippy toe'n it. Lol.

I love the chrome wheels on that red, ive been thinking of doing that to mine. I'm with you i got my 14 to ride not race or try to drag a knee. Im a big guy its not stock but i dont dragrace with it, its just nice to know i have the power under my seat if i need it

Whomever claims that lowering and stretching motorcycles INCREASES handling definitely does not understand basic physics. It's literally impossible to obtain better handling by increasing the wheelbase - unless, of course, you reduce the wheelbase beyond . I'm not knocking anyone for wanting to customize their bike, but I have to call when I see it.

Kudos to you all for wanting to put your personal touch on your bikes. Personally, the only benefit I can see from stretching the wheelbase is to help keep the front on the ground on straightaway runs. But, again, to each his own. I REALLY enjoy getting the bike all the way over in turns and, for me, stretching the bike definitely would not inspire confidence for my riding style.

The beauty of online forums is that folks post something, and others are free to post their opinions on the matter. I believe as long as one isn't disrespectful while sharing their opinions, this is healthy conversation. Folks should never feel like they're walking on egg shells simply for providing their opinion. Who knows, even though you may not like their perspective, you might learn something you didn't know before.

Has anyone measured to see how much the stretch is raising the rear before lowering it?

I don't know for sure...but I think stretching the rear is gonna cause the frame to drop some from the extended fulcrum of the swingarm,isn't it?I've heard here that the shock will now be working overtime because of the weight distribution?Some guys are installing Busa rear shocks because they're more firm?IDK.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 2/15/2011 @ 2:56 PM *

From what I've found the stretch raises the rear I'm just not sure how much. I've also heard that the suspension is too soft after stretching so after reading several posts on different forums I have bought a busa spring to replace the stock spring and if that doesn't do the trick I'll have to get a new shock.

Build it like "you" want it. It's yours and nobody else.