1981 GS450L longest rear shock?

[Guest]

Hi All—Currently I have 335mm length rear shocks. What is the longest shock I can install without any modifications? I was pondering 360mm. Any tips, tricks, etc... would be appreciated.

[Steve]

Why do you need shocks that long?

Raising the rear of the bike will affect the steering. The more you raise it, the more it affects the front. Some have noticed a difference with as little as 5-10mm of extra length, and you want to add 25? By the way, I think your shocks might already be 5mm longer than stock.

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[zbasdad]

I’ll be installing an 18” rear wheel and rear sets. I’ve ridden sport bikes for many years, and need the extra ground clearance with longer shocks and rear sets. Otherwise I won’t have enough lean angle. The bike was half way to “cafe” prior to me getting it, so I want to set it up properly.

[Steve]

Just installing the 18" wheel will give you an extra inch of height at the rear. THAT is enough to upset your steering.

The bike was "half way to 'cafe' " before getting it and now you want to make it even WORSE?

I may be a bit dense at times, but this one is beyond me. Hope someone else sees this and can help you.

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[zbasdad]

I can compensate by adjusting the forks or changing the overall diameter of the front tire. Wheel size doesn’t matter—it’s the overall diameter. Switching to an 18” rear wheel gives me more affordable tire options and the look I want.

[zbasdad]

Dude—I have 35 years of riding experience... this is the exact reason I stopped participating in forums. There’s always some self-righteous purist who questions everything so they can feel relevant. See you later FDA.

[cowboyup3371]

Zbasdad, that attitude is nowhere needed or appropriate towards anyone especially the one person on this forum who can help you work through any problem you may encounter. He was trying to look out for your best interests.

[Steve]

I can compensate by adjusting the forks or changing the overall diameter of the front tire. Wheel size doesn’t matter—it’s the overall diameter. Switching to an 18” rear wheel gives me more affordable tire options and the look I want.

The only way to compensate for a larger rear tire by adjusting the forks is to install longer fork tubes.

Wheel size pretty much determines the overall diameter. If you have a 16" wheel/tire combo and install an 18" wheel to have the same overall diameter, the tire would have to have a MUCH lower profile.

What kind of a "look" are you shooting for?

Dude—I have 35 years of riding experience... this is the exact reason I stopped participating in forums. There’s always some self-righteous purist who questions everything so they can feel relevant. See you later FDA.

If you have 35 years of experience, you should already know that raising one end of the bike is not that good an idea. I have 43 years of riding experience, so your 35 doesn't impress or intimidate me.

Far from being some "self-righeous purist", I was just trying to answer a question that was very poorly asked. You basically asked "what is the longest shock I can install without modifications?". That was basically answered, along with some reasons why it might not be a good idea to make them any longer.

If you had said something along the lines of "hey, I am looking for a "look" that involves using a larger rear tire with a super-low profile tire, what shock can I use to enhance this "look", we would know exactly what you are trying to do. Since you only asked about the maximum shock length, we had to guess and evidently you did not appreciate the guesses.

Something tells me that you might have had similar attitudes on the other forums, with similar results.

And what does the Food and Drug Administration have to do with this discussion?

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[Gorminrider]

I don't think there's much difference in the frame between a 450L and a 450E so switching both wheels to 18" shouldn't hurt. I don't have any Ls but I do have the T and an E (with the GSX400 engine but pretty much identical to 450s in the same years.Go HERE and have a look at the models.

Really, there's not a huge change of handling between these and what there is that's notable I think is in the E's narrower tires than I have on the T-the narrower tires are way more "routeable" -it's fun!
The E's non-progressive springs front and rear (stock by the way on this bike I think) might be making a subtler difference where the E is less "jouncy" but I'm not heavy and the shocks/springs are original- they're all old stuff and fork oils are probably different too yada yada.....

T 100/90/19 front 120/90/17 rear
E 90/90 18 front 110/90/18 rear

IF your forks are longer than my T or E than pushing them up is going to match up to the E

Not sure about the efficacy of longer shocks but first off, how heavy are you given the springs in these unknown shocks? etc...

also, you ARE going to have to look close at the chain because it'll need to be slacker where the bike IS boosted up a lot...ie swing arm geometry etc....

also, boosting it up is going to affect your centre stand..too much and it won't lift your wheel off the ground anymore but on the other hand, the L might be a bear to hoist up now so longer shocks will make it easier.

[sam000lee]

I'll chime in here since I'm going through this on my GS450. Mostly, I have a picture!

I have a 1981 GS450L frame. It has the stock 19" wheel and I have a 18" wheel from a GS450E on the back. I don't know what the difference between the L and E frames are, but I believe the E has a 18" stock from wheel so the L already gets a rake increase from having the 19" up front.

I had a pair of 330mm Hagons lying around that I threw on for kicks. Not the spring rate I need so this was for a mockup. I would say that this is about the largest increase in shock length I would be willing to go. It really does pick the rear up a lot and gives more than enough room for the clearance of the rear tire. Granted, I put on an upswept rear hoop instead of a straight on so that might be different on your bike.

Here's a mock up picture with this set up:

[PAB]

So you have an 18" rear off 450E and the original 19" front off the 450L combined with 330mm shocks are the forks standard?
I really like the stance of your bike.
Is front tyre of the same style as the rear on your bike available in 19"
One last thing and I'm sorry for high jacking this thread. The chrome on my forks is shot so I'm going to need to re chrome them
(very expensive) replace them but as I live in England and the L is an American Import it might prove difficult, are there any GS models I can use the forks off while still using my original yolks.
With my bike I'm for looks rather than performance. My machine I'm riding at the moment is a 1963 Lambretta so I'm used to bad handling and I ride appropriately
PB

I'll chime in here since I'm going through this on my GS450. Mostly, I have a picture!

I have a 1981 GS450L frame. It has the stock 19" wheel and I have a 18" wheel from a GS450E on the back. I don't know what the difference between the L and E frames are, but I believe the E has a 18" stock from wheel so the L already gets a rake increase from having the 19" up front.

I had a pair of 330mm Hagons lying around that I threw on for kicks. Not the spring rate I need so this was for a mockup. I would say that this is about the largest increase in shock length I would be willing to go. It really does pick the rear up a lot and gives more than enough room for the clearance of the rear tire. Granted, I put on an upswept rear hoop instead of a straight on so that might be different on your bike.

Here's a mock up picture with this set up:

[Steve]

With my bike I'm for looks rather than performance. My machine I'm riding at the moment is a 1963 Lambretta so I'm used to bad handling and I ride appropriately
PB

If you are only in it for the looks, feel free to do whatever you want, it won't matter.

However, if you would like to experience something a bit better than your Lambo, stick around.

It would be best to start your own thread, rather than trying to revive this dead one.
I think the original poster has played "Elvis" and has left the building.

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[PAB]

I'll follow your advise and start a new thread

PAB

If you are only in it for the looks, feel free to do whatever you want, it won't matter.

However, if you would like to experience something a bit better than your Lambo, stick around.

It would be best to start your own thread, rather than trying to revive this dead one.
I think the original poster has played "Elvis" and has left the building.

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