shock length and lowering

[Guest]

I was wondering since I need new shocks, if i could use a shorter shock. I'm able to touch the ground, but if I could go a bit lower it would be nice. Is there any drawback, so far as ride or handling, and should I 'lower' the front as well if I do?

[redsoxvw]

For what its worth I lowered the front end on mine, roughly an 1'' and I noticed it made the steering a bit quicker or "twitchy" ( not in a bad way, just quicker ( easy to do and free LOL).....

I swapped my back swing arm for an 1100 arm, I believe its a wee bit longer....So using the same shocks should have lowered it a bit as well....

Bike feels good, then again it wasn't dropped a ton either.....I would think you might run into a few handling issues if it was lowered a bunch......

With the swinger swap, and the inch in the front my bike sits perfect for me........

[elevatorman71]

i love the way mine sits but it is a hard tail so it does have its drawbacks!

[bwringer]

Are your shocks eye-to-eye or is there a clevis at the lower end?

Eye-to-eye shocks in various lengths from Hardley-Ablesones are readily available cheap. The factory shocks are complete crap, just like Suzuki's shocks in the '70s -- some things never change.

But a quick posting on your local CrackList could scare up a pair to experiment with cheap.

[Big T]

I was wondering since I need new shocks, if i could use a shorter shock. I'm able to touch the ground, but if I could go a bit lower it would be nice. Is there any drawback, so far as ride or handling, and should I 'lower' the front as well if I do?

Yes, drop the front the same amount to maintain handling.

Measure the front and back before, then after the shock change

Handling will still be close, things will hit the ground sooner

[crapwacker]

Clevis, sadly. I know what you mean about eye-to-eye a plenty!

[crapwacker]

Yes, drop the front the same amount to maintain handling.

Measure the front and back before, then after the shock change

Handling will still be close, things will hit the ground sooner

Measuring the back before without me on the bike? As it is now, the springs are so weak I bottom out going over something a half inch thick! And I weigh 200lbs, so I shouldn't be.

[crapwacker]

BTW, what is the stock length for mine? I believe it's 13" , but I'm not sure

[Big T]

Measuring the back before without me on the bike? As it is now, the springs are so weak I bottom out going over something a half inch thick! And I weigh 200lbs, so I shouldn't be.

No weight

You on the bike

Anything else you can think of. Data is good