Shorter shock absorbers?

[Guest]

Hello,

I am in a need to replace rear shocks because mine leaked out and my GSX 400 F is completely unstable now to ride. But I do have a problem finding new ones. First I ordered YSS pair from Germany and they came completely diffrent regarding the fact that I told the seller code name GS40XF and proper model and year. Those YSS shocks came with mounting points 14mm top and 14mm on down side, jesus. I tried to check if I could use rubber bearings from old ones but that's a nono, they won't fit. They accepted return so I am waiting for my money back. I don't have any replacement because I need shocks with mounting points 12mm holes and 335mm length. But... No one in Poland has any replcacement for this I tried VX800 shocks they won't fit either on that swingarm, hondas from 80s and suzukis from 80s also had diffrent shocks than mine has.

So for now I am forced to replace them with czechoslovakian shocks from Jawa 350(both have almost identical dry weight and same mounting points diameter). But there is one problem. Jawa shocks are 15mm shorter. So now I am trying to figure out what could possibly happen? I wonder how it will look with 320mm shocks and ride but for now I don't have any other choice. This is temporary solution.

So I am still looking for 335mm length shocks with 12mm diameter mouting points. I really don't know what motorcycle could use double shock absorbers close to that. I tried various ones, no match. Also GS series wasn't popular in my country at all so that also might be the problem to buy shocks from ex. GS 1100 E(correction, they won't fit either). I think that shorter shocks will do a better job than trying to fit 360mm shocks that will completely skyrocket that swingarm to hell. Tomorrow I'll fit those czechoslovakian ones and see how it rides. On left is my old one, right YSS that came. Czechoslovakian shocks have progressive spring.

IMG_20180530_191833.jpg

[cowboyup3371]

I have a set of 330mm Hagons I can send you if you want. Shipping will probably be outrageous but let's talk.

[Himer]

There is only one problem with Hagons - They are worth more than half of this motorcycle price. It's engine is near an end it has very high mileage for it's construction(there are no parts for it even on cmsnl, I mean those most needed so it runs until it flats out it's life) so I am just looking for a bit cheaper solution plus I come from third world country so I am poorer. I have fitted those 320mm czechoslovakian shocks and I had to turn the adjuster 3 positions up to make it stiffer so I can even ride on it. Well original ones were stiffer but at least they will withstand weight of this suzuki, I could fit diffrent and longer ones but the problem is that this GSX fully filled with fluids weights over 200kg and none of known for me replacements would last with this weight. Czechoslovakian ones are really close, they come from 170kg dry weight Jawa, GSX 400 weights 179kg empty.

I took a test ride and I am suprised that actually it doesn't ride that bad, although I feel that back is a little bit closer to ground but it doesn't look bad on wheels at least now front forks have little bit more space, on original setup they were bottoming quite often because back was high, yes suzuki made that model with farther wheel travel on back than front and that was the problem as usual commuter - bottoming front end. I could try to turn knobs on that new shocks one more turn but that will be over, no more possibility to make them stiffer. For now it became solo rider but I am not unhappy for this, with dual riders the engine showed it's huge lack of power, just 400 inline four with almost no torque and power band on very high rpm(over 8k). Basically whatever suspension will be there, it's a solo rider because of engine. I do own Jawa 350, has more torque than overall power and rides with 2 riders way better than this suzuki.

One huge plus of all of this - because shocks are little bit softer it became waaaay comfier to ride on bad roads in my country. My back appreciates that, so do my balls which don't hit tank that often I'll be looking still in europe maybe I'll find final solution after this temporary one.