Rear shocks are one of the main attributing factors for a smooth ride and handling on the road. If you’re looking to upgrade those old shocks, we offer some of the top brands like Ohlins, Progressive, Hagon, and TEC. We even have OEM equivalents if you are on a restoration mission.
But, how do I choose the right pair?
When it’s time to replace those used and abused shocks from yesteryear, there’s a couple of precautions you can take to ensure you choose the right replacements the first time around.
Mounting
The first thing to check when scouting out a new pair of shock absorbers is mounting. In our world of vintage motorcycles, the most common types are eye-to-eye and eye-to-clevis.
This can be easily determined by examining your existing shocks. If you do not have the luxury of having an existing set to compare to, the mounting emplacement on your frame and swingarm will tell you everything you need to know.
Length
Now that you know what type of mounting you need, we can move onto the next important trait: length. Assuming you are happy with your current ride height, simply measure your existing pair center to center from the mounting points so you can determine the accurate length.
The photo below shows the eye-to-eye shock absorbers, but this procedure is the same as the eye-to-clevis absorbers as well.
Bushing Size
Albeit minute, the small bushings that help attach the shock body to the frame have a big role in choosing the right replacements.
Most shock absorbers are sold in pairs, fitted with pre-installed rubber bushings. These bushings are critical to the proper fit and function of the prospected replacement shocks. If the bushings for your existing shocks are still in decent condition, measure the ID (inside diameter) and OD (outside diameter) of the bushing. This can be easily done with a ruler or calipers.
This same procedure can be used to determine the mounting of your bottom clevis, for the eye-to-clevis shocks.
Once you have taken a moment to gather these measurements, simply compare them to the shocks we have available on the website for a perfect match.
Ride Height
The best way to determine your ideal ride height is to measure the length of the shock while seated on the motorcycle. The spring of the shock absorber will be compressed and, therefore, will give you a more accurate ride height that caters to your unique needs.
Be aware that when you venture away from the current ride height, some geometrical problem-solving may be involved to find a suitable set. When lowering or raising the rear-end of your motorcycle with shorter or taller shock absorbers, it is important to adjust the front-end (forks/steering) an equal amount to retain the full functionality of your suspension system. These changes tend to affect the kickstand, center stand, etc.
Along with the ride height, some other properties to keep in mind are spring rate (standard vs. heavy-duty), and travel & sag (sag is 1/3 of the available travel).
For further assistance, you can contact us at customerservice@mikesxs.net
