pulling struts to install shocks?

Customer brought in a bike with an extended swing arm. Sorry, I didn't measure it but surely can, if that makes a difference. The bike has been lowered by dropping the forks in the trees and the extended swingarm uses 14" struts (no shocks). He expressed interest in raising the bike back up some. The swingarm is likely a stocker that has been cut, lengthened and rewelded and uses mount studs on top and bottom. I am afraid if the longer swingarm is used with 13.5" shocks, the bike will actually be lower than it is now at the rear. Any tips for putting shocks on with an extended swingarm? The also has a 150/80-16 rear tire so the countershaft sprocket MUST have some sort of spacer and the rear wheel is a wider than normal aluminum job... kind of nice looking!

Please help! Need some tips on the shocks!

how about an older set of dirtbike shocks ?they tend to be a little longer ,then you could set the adjusters up little.i just came back from arkansas ive got a 78a2 in my dads basement with some real long dirtbike shocks i could have measured but im back in nebraska now.

Post edited by: wireman, at: 2006/05/28 22:17

what no pics?

You will either have to shop around and measure a lot of shocks, have some custom made for length($$$$$) or weld on some new lower moung brackets ahead of the ones already there so the shocks aren't at such an extreme angle. That's what I plan on doing...the new mounts. I've seen this done many times before and is probably the best way, so you have a better assortment of shocks to pick from. Just be sure it gets a quality weld done!

If its not overly extended tell him I will swap him swingarms and chains.

Rewelding the mounts is probably the best idea. If I put 14" shocks on where the current mounts are located, the bike would sag some when you sat on it and be even lower than it is now. Lots of 13.5" shocks out there for a good price. Thanks! wg

WG, Since the tire is only a 150 and you dont mention rim width the carrier could actually me machined for the spacing. Meaning there may not be a front offset sprocket. Just a thought. Post pics and more info if possible.