Raising the bike back up?

[isaac]

So I've got this bike, see:

and it used to be this:

and I've got this idea, ya know:

and the rear springs in my bike are chopped, on account of that's how I lowered it in the back. Any ideas on how to raise it back up? I figured I could shim the springs, but that requires disassembling the rear shocks. I have no idea how to do that. Anybody? Thanks.

 

[Dave8338]

Well.........It seems as though you've had a change of heart over the years, or you're looking for the restomod look of a liquid cooled, monoshock, single armed swing arm bike in your new found adventure? All things are possible, keep in mind that this will be no easy task and if you are having troubles with the shock/spring combo, that will be the easiest portion of your rebuild!! Front ends are another challange, though they have been done here with great success. Someone help me out here...who was it that recently finished the front end conversion and during testing, had the front end slide out on them as a result of carb return issues and no rear brakes?

Are you up to the challenge? I'm in the middle of a three year project right now and see no end to the machining, custom fab, and parts collection/retrofit, in near sight! (Have Plenty of Experience)

Dave

 

[argonsagas]

Modifying the existing (already modified) shocks/springs is a non-start idea. Throw them away and start over.


The easiest, and fast, way to raise the bike is to install a new set of shocks, with the usual integrated springs.

Will that lend itself to your desired project....? Probably not, as you seem to be looking into some very extensive work.

You might give some further consideration to the point raised above: Are you ready for this work?

Given that you are confused on what to do with shocks, it would seem to me that a project requiring extensive frame modifications, along with steering, suspension, braking and engine mods just might be a bit beyond your current level of expertise.

 

[isaac]

In case you guys don't know the history of my GSes, I've already done many of the hypothetical fabrications you've listed (and subsequently speculated upon my inability to perform).

There is not a single thing I can't do to this bike. I just wanted a simple answer to an extremely simple question since, like probably 95% of this forum, I haven't attempted to disassemble rear shocks. End of story. No reading into it.

Thanks for the info about replacing them being the easiest way. I guess that's what I'll do. It's also the most obvious answer. I pride myself on using resourcefulness to cheapen my build jobs. I'm not talking about making things dangerous or ugly either, because I don't do the former, and I don't care about the latter.

As far as the mods go, I'm not talking about doing a monoshock rear or anything extensive like that. It's a shaft bike for one thing, rendering a monoshock pretty difficult, and a single sided swingarm really damn difficult. I'm just talking about raising the rearend back up, welding up a new subframe, dropping the fork tubes back down into the trees (I'd lowered it by going the other way), swapping on new, more aggressive handlebars, maybe buying two BMW 5" headlights for the front, and making an interesting tail cowling setup, sorta like this:

Hence, my idea.

 

[Dave8338]

In case you guys don't know the history of my GSes, I've already done many of the hypothetical fabrications you've listed (and subsequently speculated upon my inability to perform).
quote]

Issac: I had no intention of questioning your ability when it comes to the custom fab...until I see someone elses work, I'd be the last one to assume anything. I guess I thought that because of the direct replacement of the existing spring/shock unit was too obvious, I thought that you were headed in a completely different direction. And yes you are correct, the shafty widen and stretch process is a difficult project to say the least...I'm knee deep in that one myself, going from a 3" rim to a 5.5" rim and adding 6.5" to the swingarm/torque assembly with monoshock suspension. Almost wish I had not started!

 

[isaac]

..I'm knee deep in that one myself, going from a 3" rim to a 5.5" rim and adding 6.5" to the swingarm/torque assembly with monoshock suspension. Almost wish I had not started!

That's some hardcore stuff right there. Good luck with the project.

 

[Dave8338]

That's some hardcore stuff right there. Good luck with the project.

Thanks. Luck/creativity/and a patient wife have helped. If this project were completly Suzuki (not just some of the parts) and I had a better handle on the digi cam and down load procedure, I'd send you some photos.

Dave

 

[omaharj]

Thanks. Luck/creativity/and a patient wife have helped. If this project were completly Suzuki (not just some of the parts) and I had a better handle on the digi cam and down load procedure, I'd send you some photos.

Dave

Dang it!! I thought patient wife was a link!

 

[Dave8338]

Dang it!! I thought patient wife was a link!

Not in this case...but if you ever find one, let me know. \\/
p.s. She gets what she wants first....then me and my toys!

 

[DimitriT]

I haven't done it but I think shocks disassemble pretty easily once you compress the spring and remove the retainer. I think the factory shop manual goes over it.

I am curious how you shortened the spring without disassembling the shock, though.

 

[bonanzadave]

Ive got this bike see.....

And I have this idea see...

 

[Dave8338]

Ive got this bike see.....

And I have this idea see...

See, now there you go....can't leave well enough alone.....Alright....what you're going to need to do is _____ and ______ and ______ and _____ and there you have it. All spelled out for you!!!! :-D

 

[omaharj]

Dave,that was it. Your 100th post to become a "Senior Member." Can you remember what it was like around here before that happened?


Congratulations.\\/

 

[Billy Ricks]

You could always move one of the mounting points so the shock is more vertical. That should raise the back end.

 

[isaac]

I am curious how you shortened the spring without disassembling the shock, though.

Clamp it with a spring compressor, then insert an angle grinder in two places.

Billy, it's a shaftie, so moving the left side shock mount is a biatch since it's attached to the shaft drive hub itself.

I came up with my idea to raise it back up. I clamped the springs down, yanked the top retainers, then undid the clamps to free the springs. I pulled them out, heated them with a torch to bend in the cut off end so it won't slip off from the bottom anymore, then heated another part to raise it up a bit.

To get even more lift, I used my trusty angle grinder to cut off parts of an exhaust pipe to act as a ~1" spring riser to get it slightly above stock level. I then reassembled it, and the bike is jacked up a little more than stock, and a lot more than it was before.

The next step is to slice and dice the subframe a little more and weld it back in at a steeper angle, then build what will be my third seat for the bike. We'll see how it goes. Pics to come!