What size is yours? :luv6

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (redrider neil) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:15:20 GMT

I just replaced my stock shocks with a set of Progressive 412's, 12" long. I measured the old left shock that still had both mounts intact, and I came up with 12-3/8" OC, on the bench, with the presets at 5. FYI, I glad the old shock broke because the new ones are so much smoother. Althought the new shocks are 3/8" shorter, I couldn't detect any difference from old shocks in terms of feel of the seat height.

...

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (tonythecarguy) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:38:17 GMT

My stock dampers where 12.375 center to center. I curently have the 12" HD, they are definitely a bit shorter than stock. but since the progressive springs are stiffer (and don't sag as much) the ride height is about the same as stock.

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (Machinist1) — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:26:08 GMT

So how long are the stock shocks? I'm the 3rd owner of a 98T. It has progressives on the rear but they only measure 11.0 inches. I've found some listed at 11.5 and others at 12.0. I was told to go with the 11.5 H.D shocks and would be better off for it. I'm not a light weight and this may make sence but I'm just looking for more info.

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (tonythecarguy) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:37:43 GMT

If there is one thing that i have learned to be true in my CAD/CAM/CAE Career is that a picture really is easily worth a thousand words. Of course that will not prevent any of us on here from going the thousand words route. Heck, simply, my job is all about making pretty pictures on the computer that are more understandable...

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (dukey33) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:19:55 GMT

Good job Tony!
I failed to draw out the diagram and thus configured the components differently. You answer looks right and also better reflects what Progressive specs for shock strokes.

duke

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (tonythecarguy) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:31:27 GMT

I'm assuming the travel is at the axle as well. I think the limiting factor on this is our ability to accurately measure the bike's components with out taking it apart, or at least removing the bags and exhaust. Below is what I came up with and you will see that my measurements where in the same ballpark but our answers are substantially different. I'm coming up with a travel of a bit less than 2 3\8"

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (dukey33) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:11:01 GMT

Good point Tony.
I wasn't sure at what point the spec travel is measured from. Let's assume the travel is measured at the axle. This could be more standard for the industry since the amount a swingarm will overhang beyond the axle can vary on different designs. Some rough measurements from my bike indicate 17in from the swingarm pivot to the lower shock mount and 22in to the axle. This can be simply ratio'ed to the 3.9 inch travel:
Vertical travel at lower shock mount =...

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (tonythecarguy) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:40:45 GMT

One also has to remember that the 3.9" travel is out at the end of the swing arm, the travel at the base of the shock (Somewhere in the middle of the swing arm) is going to be something less. looks like i have to get out the tape measure tonight again.

Boy I realy should have done this BEFORE I bought my shocks..

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (dukey33) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:21:39 GMT

Tony, you are correct the preload setting will have no bearing on the OAL (overall length) of the shock. That is dictated by the travel of the dampener and is unaffected by the spring.

As for stroke, I have a specsheet that shows the rear travel is 3.9in, but that is likely the vertical travel so you'd have to measure the angle the shock sits at and use some trigonometry to figure the shock stroke.

So, using the shock as the hypotenuse of a right triangle and the 3.9...

Re: What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (tonythecarguy) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 11:56:13 GMT

Re-posting all this here so Andy can have his post back.

I have a 1998, they where set to 2 but I can't see how the preload setting can make any substantial difference in extended length; on bike, under the weight of the bike length yes, but fully extended no. I'll re-measure tonight on other settings. Now I'm reasonably sure they are factory original but I'm the second owner so can't be positive.

What size is yours? :luv6

feeds@yuku.com (Marpesia2) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:26:18 GMT

If you still have your factory OEM rear shocks:

What is their measured length (preferably unloaded, note if otherwise)? -

What is their setting when measured at that length (1 through 5)? -

What is the model year of your T? -

Are you sure that these are the shocks that rolled out of the factory with your T? -

If you are content to simply answer these questions completely unaware of the genesis for them, then you are done, thank you...