Shock Factory rear shock

[Captain Black]

My new shock arrived this afternoon
Got a couple of advice questions , I've compared it to my GS80 Kalahari which has the white power shock on.

Firstly the spring length out of the box is 251 mm ( standard OE shock preload was set at 215mm and my gs80 is at 190 mm, I've not test ridden yet but I'm thinking that at 251 its gonna be way soft and low. Also the spring is catching on the mudguard behind the engine and is only maybe one or two mm from the rear subframe and the same from the tyre.

I've looked at the GS80 and while its close it isn't that close!! ( tyre that is ) its not near the subframe on the 80 because the compression on the spring takes it behind the subframe.,

The standard shock off the PD and the white power shock on the GS80 has limited thread length for preload, there 4 times the thread on the new shock, am I to assume the top ( soft part ) is useless and spanner the spring down so it clears the mudguard and is to the rear of the subframe ?
Finally the standard shock has the large bushing on the top facing inboard, the new shock will only go on with it facing outboard ... Is that a big deal ?

The instructions with the shock are in French , but it does state settings are 251mm and 24 clicks, finally on the invoice ( because of future pillion / camping gear ) I've got an uprated spring of 550lbf/in.

I know Rob has a shock factory but not sure if its on his PD.

Anyone have one or can offer advice ?

 

[solidstate100]

I cant personally offer advice as I have no experiance of the set up, but presumably the best people to offer advice would be.......The Shock Factory, as they made the shock for the bike?

 

[Captain Black]

I cant personally offer advice as I have no experiance of the set up, but presumably the best people to offer advice would be.......The Shock Factory, as they made the shock for the bike?

I've tried no reply, mike ( shock factory ) is also based in France so can't get hold of him.

I'll keep trying, but just on the off chance anyone on here has a shared experience ..

 

[Beemerboff]

Try loading it with 100 lbs of luggage or whatever you intend carrying and then check rider and luggage sag - somewhere in the range of 45 / 50 mm should be OK.
Front should be a little less, 50/ 55. If the front is a little too soft up to 10 mm of preload could be added , washers or a piece of plastic pipe.
Rear sag can also be adjusted with the preload collar, but if you have to alter the factory setting by more than 4mm you probably have the wrong spring.
FWIW a 450 lb spring with 18 mm preload works ok on my GS either one up or two, and adding a full load of camping gear doesn't make much difference as long as the heavy stuff is on the back seat.
The tire rubs on the shock, if yours does too just get used to it. - there isnt much else you can do.

 

[Captain Black]

Try loading it with 100 lbs of luggage or whatever you intend carrying and then check rider and luggage sag - somewhere in the range of 45 / 50 mm should be OK.
Front should be a little less, 50/ 55. If the front is a little too soft up to 10 mm of preload could be added , washers or a piece of plastic pipe.
Rear sag can also be adjusted with the preload collar, but if you have to alter the factory setting by more than 4mm you probably have the wrong spring.
FWIW a 450 lb spring with 18 mm preload works ok on my GS either one up or two, and adding a full load of camping gear doesn't make much difference as long as the heavy stuff is on the back seat.
The tire rubs on the shock, if yours does too just get used to it. - there isnt much else you can do.

Thanks for that, I've wound it down to a spring length of 240 mm ( on side stand ) I'll test ride it later and try it with my lad on the back as well.
There is clearance from the tyre and the subframe but its tight. Loading the spring to 240mm has left the mudguard between the coils now. I could trim the mudguard if needs be by a couple of mm. In the meantime I'll just have to test it and try and get hold of the guy at the shock factory for some more advice.
If I'm needing to give it more preload , ie nearer the other two shock settings on the GS 80 and the old PD shock I'll have to take it off and wind it down as the " C" spanner is right on the subframe now . I'm trying to get the suspension set tight, but I'm also mindful if I wind it down I totally clear the mudguard and the subframe with the spring.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Have you tried flipping it the other way round?

I have twin shock shocks on my Guzzi.

 

[Captain Black]

Have you tried flipping it the other way round?

I have twin shock shocks on my Guzzi.

The bushes are fixed in the top Rob.
Don't fancy running it upside down
I've spoken to Mike at the shock factory , very helpful chap.
I'd wound it down to 240 mm but have since backed it off to 245 ( from original 251 mm )so I've got some lift at the back when its on the wheels, ie down on on shock with weight on the back then some bounce pulling it up instead of rock solid at the 240mm.
I may go back to the 251 depending on my test ride tmrw, I'll almost certainly have to cut 5mm from the mudguard to allow free movement of the spring, I'll use a hot Stanley knife for that.
It clears the subframe but only by 1 or 2 mm, same with the tyre, its tight but that doesn't bother me so long as it clears it. Mike said all the frames differ slightly, the last frames were made in Italy ? Although mines an early ( 88 ) frame.

Bit of trial and error tmrw and just get my compression and rebound sorted under load.
Lovely looking shock though , very pleased with its finish etc ...

 

[ChasF]

The TKC 80 used to rub on Technoflex spring which annoyed me. One of many reasons I don't use TKCs anymore.

 

[Rob Farmer]

My twin shocks can be run either way I assumed yours could be too. I originally mounted mine so the stickers were readable but it fouled the bevel box. Flipped them the other way and all is good. The only issue I have is the springs are a bigger diameter than the standard shocks and the brake side Spring just kisses the brake hanger.

They work very well. The damping is spot on.

 

[Captain Black]

The TKC 80 used to rub on Technoflex spring which annoyed me. One of many reasons I don't use TKCs anymore.

I've just taken delivery of two sets of Sahara Enduro 3's , I'm wondering if a fresh rear will foul the shock now

If it does I'll Stanley knife that side of the tyre a bit.

 

[jackassdave]

I've just taken delivery of two sets of Sahara Enduro 3's , I'm wondering if a fresh rear will foul the shock now

If it does I'll Stanley knife that side of the tyre a bit.

your going to be busy then

 

[Captain Black]

My twin shocks can be run either way I assumed yours could be too. I originally mounted mine so the stickers were readable but it fouled the bevel box. Flipped them the other way and all is good. The only issue I have is the springs are a bigger diameter than the standard shocks and the brake side Spring just kisses the brake hanger.

They work very well. The damping is spot on.

Suppose its the old trade off for better suspension.

I've trimmed the mudguard 5mm and rubbed it down so its tidy.
Now got the clearance that side, and I'm on like 1mm clearance against the subframe , maybe at a pinch I could add a washer to the lower subframe mount if it becomes an issue.

Anyways I'll test tmrw on 245 mm spring length and the factory 24 clicks ( from 48! ) , worse case back to 251 mm and a few clicks on the compression /rebound.

Hopefully !!!

 

[Captain Black]

your going to be busy then

I'm leaving the old ones on until after the TT Dave!

Edit; I'm going in the garage for a peek with my torch and measure my tyre !

 

[Captain Black]

Just checked the tyres and the outer edges still have the rubber hairs on so new ones should fit fine. I doubt a more extreme off road tyre would work though ?

 

[Captain Black]

Been for a test ride

Lovely ...

I've set it at 245 mm ( spring on the side stand and I've left it at 24 clicks, firm but forgiving and made a huge difference in flick-ability, fast sweeping left and right handers and at high speed feels much more planted and less boing boinging. Makes the front feel more assured as well, but that will be put to a better test when the bike is loaded up.
It should be ok with the gear on for the TT without need for playing with the compression and rebound.
Early days, but its made the world of difference.

 

[Redboots]

The TKC 80 used to rub on Technoflex spring which annoyed me. One of many reasons I don't use TKCs anymore.

You can get a 2 or 3mm spacer to solve that very problem, or..... you can shave the tread blocks so they clear. Every other block I think I had to do.

 

[Captain Black]

You can get a 2 or 3mm spacer to solve that very problem, or..... you can shave the tread blocks so they clear. Every other block I think I had to do.

I've got like 1 mm of clearance from the subframe to the spring, was almost putting a 1 or 2 mm washer on the lower subframe bolt.

Tested today and all is good though.