Rear strut lengths

What length are you guys running? If you have any pics of the differences that would be sweet. I was thinking of either 10.5" or 11.5". And who is building them? I thought that I saw Crath was. If you make them send me a PM for prices.

 

Bump

 

You should be able to use HD sportster shocks. They're all over ebay. Just search there. the smaller the shock the more $$$ they are.

 

I had 9.5 on mine at one point.

 

newbie question... when you guys talk about length, you mean free length, as in "off the bike, bolt center to bolt center" right?

 

I want the look of a hard tail with the option to go back to shocks. This is what I mean.

 

ooooo ok, i got ya. just by chance, you wouldnt happen to know how short of a shock you can put on there while still keeping the full travel and not havin the tire hit the fender, would you? 82 maxim 750, btw

 

It may be better to PM crath. He was trying to sell his bike, so I'm not sure how often he checks this board.

 

I don't think there's a 'one-size-fits-all' answer for that Wfo. You have different variables to take into consideration,like:
1)How much the rider weighs?
2)How 'stiff' are the shocks being used?
3)Will you always ride solo?

Of course 1 & 2 are the biggest variable. HD shocks are usually pretty heavy duty but you'd had to get creative to mount the SAE shock to a metric bike...
Here's what I would do for a 'bench test'. Get creative and figure out a way to get a clump or ball of playdoh or similar material mounted to the topside of the rear wheel. Then have some one help balance the bike while you stand on the pegs and drop as hard as you can onto the seat. Do it a number of times and measure the thickness of your 'clearance gauge' each time. This will give you a ballpark idea of how much clearance you have and how much you can shorten the shock for your application. Once you have you clearance figured out I would add 1/2" to the shortened shock length as a 'safety factor'....

 

now thats some good thinkin, there. thanks

 

Playdo-guage..........the grown-up version plasti-gauge! Awesome tip, man!

Dave Fox