Longest GS OEM Shock???

[UKPR1]

Being 6'-2" and 220lbs, my issues are contrary to those who are looking to lower their bikes. Looking to have the bike not sag when sitting on it. Knowing that what I do to the back I have to do to the front...what is the longest GS shock (or any other shock that fits) that this forum knows of? I want to stick to the OEM shock (just a fan of the stock look) even though I may probably replace the coil portion depending on the coil condition of what I get in. One would say that the heavier GS' would be the shocks to get...but I just want to make sure. Something in the 340mm (13.5") range is what I'm looking for.

Thanks in Advance,

Geoff

 

[hannibal]

I'm still riding around on the crappy shocks that came with the bike. I imagine new shocks in the original length would be much firmer and eliminate most of the sagging. If your shocks are old, this may be the cause.

 

[posplayr]

I'm somewhat hesitant to recommend these, but this is another option.

There maybe some better one around.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-S...ash=item58b177a27d:g:K-IAAOSwIJlaRr57&vxp=mtr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/uxcell-2Pc...ash=item238d641dbb:g:St0AAOSwBLdZsn80&vxp=mtr

 

[Big T]

I hate to state the obvious, but have you adjusted the pre load?

 

[UKPR1]

Indeed I have...in this case: rider weight trumps pre load...anyone seen my box of Girl Scout Cookies?

 

[UKPR1]

Had initially thought of the "dog-bones" Pos, but I read somewhere (...maybe even in this Forum) to avoid them at all costs...

 

[posplayr]

They make steel ones for cars.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Shoc...ash=item4d6285b861:g:K~oAAOSwWjpZqZgd&vxp=mtr

 

[Guest]

i would seriously consider updating, I know you want to keep the stock look, but there are shocks out there (ikon, hagon, heck, given the weight issue here, even the ebay cheapies might work ok...)that look perty close to stock but will transform the bike in an almost miraculous manner. you should at least consider your options before slapping another 35 year old blown out pair of turds on there. Just my .02.

 

[storm 64]

I made a few sets of 1 inch shock extensions about four years ago. Remember when Nick Ienatsch was trying to make a set out of some pieces of flat stock (very shady)? I didn't want him to get hurt riding when his parts broke. So I made him and a couple members a set of custom one piece extensions. Here is the only picture I can find of them.
Yeah, Nick might be a great rider and editor, but he wasn't to good of a fabricator.☺ In return for the parts I made him he sent me a signed book "Sport Riding Techniques" It's really cool.

 

[posplayr]

I made a few sets of 1 inch shock extensions about four years ago. Remember when Nick Ienatsch was trying to make a set out of some pieces of flat stock (very shady)? I didn't want him to get hurt riding when his parts broke. So I made him and a couple members a set of custom one piece extensions. Here is the only picture I can find of them.


Yeah, Nick might be a great rider and editor, but he wasn't to good of a fabricator.☺ In return for the parts I made him he sent me a signed book "Sport Riding Techniques" It's really cool.

Those should be plenty strong enough.

 

[Big T]

Really,what you're looking for is a stronger spring, not a longer shock.
You could use a 850/1000/1100 G model shock if yours are eye to eye

Or. as some suggest, upgrade to a modern shock. Shocks don't last forever.

 

[Steve]

You short, light-weight guys just need to suck it up and admit that you need NEW shocks in the proper length, with PROPER springs on them and have proper damping. :-\\\

Yes, I'm taller and have a little more gravitational attraction. Stock shocks were barely adequate when they were new, and they didn't last all that long. The springs were basically set up for the average Japanese rider, who might have weighed 140-150 pounds. Toss in his occasional 100-pound companion, you get to the weight where many Americans are. And then we add our companions.

Hagon shocks are good. They look a lot like the stockers, but work a LOT better. Call Dave Quinn Motorcycles, he will get some information about you, your bike and your riding style. He will then select the shock body with the proper damping and install springs with the proper rate. $214, plus shipping. If you really insist, you can still get diffferent lengths, but be aware that the bike was designed to use shocks of a certain length, taking spring compression into account. Changing the ride height will affect handling. If you have springs that are strong enough to keep your spring "sag" in the 20-25% range (about 1 inch), you will be better off.

.

 

[bwringer]

What Steve said.

If you gotta have that stock look, order up a set of Hagons in chrome and peel off the sticker.

The old stock shocks are suitable only for art projects or recycling.

 

[limeex2]

As mentioned, longer shocks will not help. 220 lbs is not that heavy. Ones off of a different model may have a stiffer spring but there still 35+ y/o and wore out. That's a nice price on a set of Hagons and if they set them up for weight it will make a huge difference. Lots of people have gone with a longer shock and it has helped the slow turning issues that are common on all old bikes. It sounds as though the gentleman at hagon may be able to put in a longer shaft? At 6-2 you will not have trouble touching the ground or pegs

 

[UKPR1]

Storm - that's some SERIOUS fabrication quality.

Steve, et. al: I hear what you're all saying. For $214, consider the bullet bitten...

Thanks for your participation in my question.

Geoff

 

[Chuck78]

DEFINITELY forget using some used/ebay/junkyard shocks!!!
They were ready to be binned about 20-25 years ago!!!!

Go for a decent set of Hagons with a proper spring for your weight and the bike's weight, and some Sonic Suspension front fork springs, and a set of RaceTech ir MikesXS.net cartridge emulators... it will ABSOLUTELY transform the way the bike rides and handles. And I highly recommend going 10mm -15mm bare minimum longer on replacement shocks over standard stock length, it improves the handling drastically for the better. I venture to go as much as 20mm-25mm longer than stock to get the bike really dialed in to that sporty steering response, and that is with a much quicker turning 18" front rim laced in even.
Swingarm angle is best 8, 9, 10+ degrees on our bikes. Some bikes can run 12 degRees swingarm angle very well even. The swingarm angle really dictates A LOT of the handling traits of our machines when accelerating out of the send half of a turn.
Taller shocks in general will help steeped the rake and lessen the substantial trail figure generated by the big 19" front wheel (18" front is considered a big handling upgrade on our bikes).

Longer shocks are not your answer to your question, but they are a solution to other inherent handling problems which you did not inquire about.

If you were by chance to have a friend around with a free set of big shaft drive bike shocks off of a GS850/GS1000G/GS1100G (not GK), FOR FREE, they would be worth trying, but all old shocks will have 30-40 year old seals and probably already started puking out all of their fluid slowly many years ago.

Don't spend any money on something that is just a lateral move with stiffer springs that are still too soft.
Longer shocks will still have too much static sag and use up over half of your available travel just from sitting on the bike, big detractors from the handling...
Better spring choice, better damping, and new seals and shock oil - HUGE improvements!!!
You will be in love with the way your bike handles with the frame sitting at proper geometry ( or better yet, revised geometry with slightly longer shocks for better steering response), & the way proper spring rates and improved damping make the bike feel overall. You really need to do the front springs and emulator valves at the same time to feel the full benefits of this.

Best of luck

Chuck