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Message started by kennycreed on 05/04/09 at 22:18:54

Title: rear shocks
Post by kennycreed on 05/04/09 at 22:18:54

:-? Hi all, just wondering if it would be possible to stiffen up my standard rear shocks by adding say, a quarter inch washer top and bottom as when I have her loaded the rear wheel sometimes hits the underside of the mudguard on the bumps,,,,cheers all

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by verslagen1 on 05/04/09 at 22:36:32

there's a post on how to shorten them. What you may have trouble with is getting them back together with preload.

And I'm assuming you already have them set on 5?

Try getting a set of longer shocks with stiffer springs.

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by kennycreed on 05/04/09 at 23:03:10

Hi Verslagen, there set as high as they will go, but still bottoms out on the odd bump with my tent and all my home comforts loaded on the back. I was thinking of the cheaper option,stronger shocks will cost me £118, four quarter inch washers 0. If I cut them from the plate myself, but was wondering if anybody had tried this,,all the best to you,,k

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by Wolf on 05/05/09 at 06:48:09

These shocks are adjustable... any pics on how to do it? oops... I'll check the tech section..

Wolf :D

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by Jack_650 on 05/05/09 at 07:44:00

I got some second party 11 1/2" shocks for one of the Harleys. They were actually shorter than the original on the bike they were intended for. They were about $90.00 and work great. I've got an over sized tire (read DarkSider) on the back and the extra vertical room is good. You will need bigger washers than stock between the shock ends and the nuts that hold them on. When I travel I haul a lot, and with the trailer on there . . . I've put around 11k miles on them with no problem.

Anyway, I took a hammer and ruined one of my big sockets to get the rubber grommets and bushings to swap between the "stock shocks" and the new ones. A shop press would be such a good thing to have. And maybe a shop too. Just google around till you find something that will work for you.

Jack

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by diamond jim on 05/05/09 at 09:52:55

Kenny, I wonder if you could find or make any rubber coil spring spacers to use for those occasional loaded-up rides. I've seen them for auto coil springs. May not be enough clearance though. Can you shift some weight to a tank bag? I know you know this already but be sure to keep good rear tire pressure.

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by PTRider on 05/05/09 at 10:32:28

0E36353F590 wrote:

These shocks are adjustable... any pics on how to do it? oops... I'll check the tech section..

Wolf :D

Look under the chrome skirt on the bottom of your shocks. You'll see stepped notches under there. (Make the job easier...spray some sort of dry lube on the notches...blow graphite up there, or any dry lube--don't use a lube that will hold dirt.) If you turn the lower part of the shock to put the raised lump into a lower notch, it'll pre-load the spring more. Put that lump into a higher notch and it relaxes the spring. If the softest setting we call #1, the factory setting is #2. Stiffer settings are for heavier riders, and/or riding with passengers, and/or rider plus luggage. Too stiff means that the rear tire doesn't follow unevenness in the pavement as well and you have less traction. Too soft means that the shock bottoms out with a bump (or thud) on a road bump and you have less traction. I use a #2 Phillips screwdriver as a lever in the hole in the shock to change the setting.

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by Phelonius on 05/05/09 at 17:12:09

I have been wondering if any of you have added a spacer to the inside of the uppedr fork tube to preload the spring.
If so, did it help any?
I think I will try it.

Phelonius

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by Phelonius on 05/05/09 at 17:16:34

795250586C050603330 wrote:

If you ever have to use a socket to push in a bushing, rubber or any other material, do not pound on it with a hammer. put it in a vise or C clamp and slowly press it into place without damage to socket or the part.

Phelonius

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by kennycreed on 05/06/09 at 03:24:54

Haay! Jim!!, your just a diamond, you got me thinking, I know where there's a pile of conveyor belting lying in an old quarry, different thickkness as well, just the job instead of starting cutting chunks out of a steel plate. I'll have a wander up there tonight with a torch..........
THANKS! JIM

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by kennycreed on 05/06/09 at 03:28:26

P.S. And a hacksaw

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by Jack_650 on 05/06/09 at 06:43:19

Now why didn't I think of the home made press for that sort of stuff. A big C-clamp with a wood block on one side of the opening and the piece that needs inserting being pushed from the other. Once the germ of the idea is in place it's so simple.

Just when I thought I was doing pretty good as an out-of-box kinda guy. Thanks for the tip. Made my day.

Jack

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by false_illusion on 05/08/09 at 04:32:25

Hey All...

I was wondering if anyone has calculated any figures as to how much weight can be safely(...meaning it won't bottom out...)sustained at each of the five factory settings on the rear suspension.

Notch #1 = approx. _____lbs.
Notch #2 (factory) = approx. _____lbs.

...and so on.

With myself and my Sweetie on it, we are a total of 275-300lbs. I need to know what setting I should be using.

p.s....been married for 7 years and she still won't give me her exact weight! ;D

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by verslagen1 on 05/08/09 at 07:11:58

240 and I was comfortable on 4.

Title: Re: rear shocks
Post by false_illusion on 05/08/09 at 15:51:54

Thanks, Verslagen1...

I'll go with a five to be on the safe side...