Stock Rear Shock Length?

jthiessen

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I've installed a flat seat pan, now when I hit moderate dips my rear wheel hits my seat even with my adjustable shocks at max length.

What is the stock shock length? Has anyone come across this issue on their own bike? What would be the best length to buy?

Bike is a '79.
 
Stock is 12.5" The adjustment is for your pre-load not the length. You can go to a 14.5" or so but after that the chain will hit the swing arm. How much do you weigh?
 
I weigh about 160.

I guess with a flat seat pan the shocks don't compress to the bump stop before the tire hits the seat?

Are their more firm shocks available that will swap in easily?
 
Make sure you have the pre-load set to the max strength ( the longest tooth). I only weigh 168 and my 80 weighs only 300 and with stock shocks set at the lightest pre-load they barely move. Either yours are shot or they are off a different bike. On my stock 79 witch weighs 60lbs more the shock only move a little. xs650 shocks will be a lot stiffer and the only thing you need to do to make them fit is to swap the rubber eyelets around.
 

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I only weigh 168 and my 80 weighs only 300 and with stock shocks set at the lightest pre-load they barely move. Either yours are shot or they are off a different bike.

They are set with the largest pre load already, but they are very 'squishy' so maybe they are not stock, or maybe they are shot!

ScreenShot2014-07-03at72109AM_zps27a0cc88.png

These are from XS650Direct and I cross referenced the part no. from MikesXS. They should fit?

I guess my concern is if the shock still wants to travel it's stock distance to reach the bump stop, seeing as how I shortened that distance with the new seat pan.
 
If you are having in issue with travel then I would go with a longer 13.5"+ shock. The stiffer 650 ones should work.
 
I think it's around 14.5-15" I would do a search of the forum and you may get more info.
 
One more Q's about shocks...What is the bushing diameter on the XS? 10mm?

I am liking the Retro-Slim chrome shocks from DCC, but with the low Canadian dollar and Duties, it will almost be double the price.

Anyone know of some good quality chrome shocks - preferably from Canada?
 
Well the bolt diameter (hole in the middle of bushing) is 10mm.

Those DCC ones are just the generic Monza's. You can get them from xs650direct, the Canadian side of mikesxs. Be warned, Monza shocks are fairly close in spring rate to solid bars. You have to weigh about 300lbs to get them to move.
 
Well the bolt diameter (hole in the middle of bushing) is 10mm.

Those DCC ones are just the generic Monza's. You can get them from xs650direct, the Canadian side of mikesxs. Be warned, Monza shocks are fairly close in spring rate to solid bars. You have to weigh about 300lbs to get them to move.

I am not 300lbs...
...I hate asking for open ended recommendations, but is there a solid cost friendly 13.5" shock out there? My budget is tight, but I understand you need to pay to play.
 
I'd look at Hagon's, they have a budget set for $200. Still a cheap shock but at least they put a spring on them that match your weight. I'm sure they have a Canadian distributor too.
 
Check out RFY shocks on ebay. Come in many different lengths and they are a gas shock. Mixed reviews. I ordered a set but haven't used them yet since the bike isn't finished.
 
There's a reason they went out of business :)))
I'd try to get as new of tech as possible, but that's just my opinion.

Back to the Monza's though, if it's all you can afford at the moment, they work for the price. As bad as they are, they are still better than old sagging shocks. I used them initially on my bike, and they did the job (barely).

I just put in my order for Hagon Nitro's. Hopefully will be the last set of shocks I ever buy. Being rebuild-able is a plus. I was tempted to go with the Fox Podium R at that price point, but the only reviews out there are from hipsters into nothing but the look of them and no real info from road racers.
 
Nothing? Do I need to start my own thread to ask a simple question? :wtf: Not trying to thread jack, just asking specifics about what was already stated! :shrug:
 
Bike was too light, rider weight too light. They'd be a good match for a bagged out Harley.

I talked with someone at Hagon and they don't even recommend the stock spring rate for me, which they say is 16kg/90lb. They recommended I go with 12kg/67lb or14kg/78lb. They know what they are doing by the way, so I'm going to heed their advice. They also talked me out of more expensive Nitros due to the higher spring rate, and recommended the cheapest option they sell. First time a company has not tried to rip me off to make a buck!
 
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