Mono Shock Questions ?

[bccap]

Went for a 2 hour ride yesterday, and felt the rear shock was kind of mushy. Admittably I am a heavy guy 280 lb.'s. I would like to change the rear shock to something extremely stiff. As I have no immediate plans to reduce my beer consumption. I also wouldn't mind if my seat was another inch or so higher. Can I bolt in another longer shock, or do modifications need to be made ? Failing that can I use one off an 1100 or 1150 ? As I would assume they would be stiffer for a heavier bike. Don't really want to spend more than a couple of hundred on it. What should i look for when shopping on ebay ? Examples:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Z212...0137108QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...3429419QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[Agemax]

your gs750 is monoshocked? any pics?

 

[bccap]

Don't have a picture of the shock. But here is are pictures of the bike and parts fiche.

 

[Agemax]

oh i see, is the shock not adjustable to make it stiffer? you could fit a slightly taller shock but im not sure which one would fit, although i am sure somebody will be along soon to give you some suggestions

 

[bccap]

There is some kind of damping system, which I have maxed out. But nothing to actually stiffen it. I would love it if I could put something a touch longer in there if no modifications were required.

 

[Agemax]

jack up kits and stronger springs are available, try ebay or a local dealer

 

[koolaid_kid]

Installing a longer shock will change your steering geometry.
Your best bet is to find a quality replacement. I found a used Gixxer shock for my GPz, It is completely adjustable and rides very smooth, not stiff, but handles great. And I am not exactly small at 250 lbs.
I had to find one in a similar length, identical connections top and bottom I have eye and clevis), and compatible with the available room on my bike. For example, most have an attached reservoir. I could only use one with a remote reservoir due to space constraints. And I had to shim one end (the clevis) and grind a bit on the other (the eye) for it to fit the bolt widths on my bike.
There may be a similar one for your bike.

 

[bccap]

Are you saying that the spring is removable from the shock,Agemax ? I see how it would change the riders geometry to the steering. But not how would it change the actual steering. Every time someone of different weight, and height sits on it. Doesn't that change the geometry ? I am talking about an inch or 2. But I admit I know nothing about how suspension and steering geometry relate. Just wondering if there are guidelines for this. I like your idea of the gsxr shock. What about the second one in my first post ? Though it is off an 1100.

 

[Agemax]

spring rates can be changed to accomodate different weight riders without altering the ride height. a taller shock will alter your handling characteristics and may still be just as soft

 

[bccap]

OK, so taller shock is out. But I don't understand what you mean by changing spring rate ? Do you mean by buying a stiffer shock, or changing something on the existing shock ?

 

[Agemax]

you may be able to buy a stiffer spring to fit your shock, i am not very sure about your particular model

 

[bccap]

I gotcha. Thanks' I guess my next visit is to shop.

 

[koolaid_kid]

First, you are supposed to set your sag to pre-defined settings so the steering geometry is constant. That is why you see folk changing the spring preload depending on the weight they will be carrying.
You have 3 things to consider for a shock:
Spring rate -this is what you are calling stiffer. Most springs these days are progressive, so the spring rate changes as the spring is compressed. The spring rate should be compatible with both your weight and your riding style. I had to move from a heavy-duty spring to a super heavy duty spring on my Progressive Suspension shocks on my GS, which is what you are seeking.
Compression dampening. This is a setting on the shock itself.
Rebound dampening. This is also a shock setting.
These two adjustments make the ride plush without being too stiff or too soft.
You are best served by getting one that does both shock settings and a spring that is suited to both your weight and your riding style.
You might be able to remove the spring from the bottom; there is no way I can see removing it from the top from the diagram you posted.
If you can remove it, and find out the current spring rate, you might be able to find another spring with a higher spring rate (making it "stiffer").

 

[bccap]

Thanx Koolaid kid. Your explanation was very clear. I guess I need to find a compatible stiff shock. Do you think the gsxr one in my first post would work ? Though it is off an 1100. Is the shock length, and the eye ends what I am looking for when I ask sellers about for info ?

 

[Griffin]

Several people on the board have installed GSXR shocks on their monoshock 550, 700, and 750 models. There are also some Ducati shocks that will fit.

Hagon also makes a new direct swapout shock ofr your bike, but it's pretty spendy.

Do some searching, you'll find several threads on the subject.

 

[koolaid_kid]

Thanx Koolaid kid. Your explanation was very clear. I guess I need to find a compatible stiff shock. Do you think the gsxr one in my first post would work ? Though it is off an 1100. Is the shock length, and the eye ends what I am looking for when I ask sellers about for info ?

You are welcome. You first need to determine whether you have eye-to-eye or eye-to-clevis (what my GPz has). Second, you need to find out the approximate length of your shock. Third, you need to find out whether you have room for an attached reservoir. If you do, the world opens up for you, there are lots. Remote reservoirs are much more difficult to find. I used one from ~96 Gixxer 750. With minor adjustments it bolted right up and I found a place for the reservoir.
And yes, the shock length and end bolt up types are questions you will need to research. Your bike is about the weight of a Gixxer 750, so that sounds like a good starting point.
My Gixxer shock was cheap for ~$75 shipped, and I could not be more pleased.

 

[Guest]

You need an eye to eye style like that '88 1100 gsxr shock, the top eye might be too wide for the bellcrank to bolt up to it. I've got a hagon on my '83.

 

[koolaid_kid]

I milled down the eye on my shock using my high-tech bench grinder. But I suspect a 1100 might be too heavy of a bike. The 98 750 Gixxer is eye-to-eye, but has an attached reservoir. You'll need to see if there is room on your bike. Looks like one of the adjustments is on the reservoir (I believe that is the compression dampening), so you'll also want to be able to access it.

 

[salty_monk]

Ducati Monster 900 Shock from about 1998. The length is right at 330mm & the stock spring will probably not be too bad for you either. Was extremely stiff with my 165lb on it.

The ducati shock also lets you run more preload on the stock spring if you swap that onto the ducati body - that's what I did.

 

[bccap]

Oh no. You mean the eyes aren't all the same size ? I like yours but don't really want to spend $500 on a shock. Wish we had a compatibility list like we do for r/r's.