Shock mount washers

[Guest]

On my Tracy bodied GS1100 project bike I have to fabricate some upper shock mounts and I see that there are several washers that get installed on each side of the shock according to the parts fiche.

Are these washers there for any purpose other than to accommodate parts bin engineering?

I would like to find out so that I can build the shock mount to fit and look the best

[Brendan W]

My bike is missing the frame lift handle. I pack the shocks out to stop the nut bottoming out, keep them straight and protect the rubber bushes from rubbing on stuff.
The parts fiche for me is a baseline as I never had original shocks.

[Guest]

I can't imagine those washers serve any purpose but spacing the shock to prevent rubbing/interference on the frame.


Mark

[Steve]

I agree that they are mostly for alignment of the shocks. It would have been easier to just make a spacer that was 6-8mm thick, but having individual washers makes it easier to add a luggage rack or other accessory.

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[Cipher]

Perhaps it is to reduce stiction.
Metal on metal washers allow for a slipping between parts.

[Steve]

Perhaps it is to reduce stiction.
Metal on metal washers allow for a slipping between parts.

Probably quite true, but with those particular parts, ... NOTHING MOVES.

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[Gorminrider]

as I see it, You probably want the shocks STRAIGHT inline with the swingarm...that is : the swing arms' attachment has two washers one each side of shock (if it's a chain drive bike), so attach the shock to swingarm- wherever these line up to frame mounts indicates how you would applythe combination of washers, handles,and racks there. The rubber will no doubt take up some of the misalignment but still...
also, consult the manual for torque value of the nuts.
beyond that, just something to think about, consider the radius of the swing arms "arc of travel" in normal use...if the distances vary a lot, your shocks will have to move somehow on their pivots to accommodate to the shortest distance to top and bottom of the arc's swing...

[Cipher]

Standard shocks do pivot if only slightly. They make retrofit kits with needle bearings to replace bushings. Do the washers not seat against the rubber busing on the shocks?

[sinkankan]

I made my own up for the GS85, out of aluminium. Mainly because the old zinc plated ones looked crappy, amd I had the same problem with alignment. Took an hour or so on the lathe, and the new nut sits recessed into the washer.

[Guest]

Ok, thanks everyone. I never considered the option to mount grab handles/luggage. I took a look and my ?hlins come with aluminum washers so I will just remake the mounts using the stock dimensions.