I know, I know, "Please, not another lowering post!" I searched for hours, but with so many "Can/should I lower my bike" questions I can't find any answers to these two:

1) What's better, replacing the "dogbone" link or the link "plates"? I ask this mainly from a linkage geometry standpoint.

2) What is the potential for the fender hitting the lower triple clamp if I raise the fork tubes 1.0-1.5 inches?

Bike in question is an F4i of course. Thanks in advance for any input.