BMW rear shock conversion

[onejay]

Fitted my new shock today
not had a chance to test it yet but the bike feels stiffer right away


thanks to unfazed for his help

[bludclot]

i've ridden a couple of thousand miles on my bmw shock now and it's utterly brilliant both solo and with pillion. what did you do about the standard bottom mount bolt being too short?

[onejay]

bought a bolt and modified it to suit
as per unfazed`s instructions

[onejay]

im looking forward to my first run with it 


i hope there is a break in the weather soon 


i had it out 2 weeks ago which was my first proper blast after the full monty was done by Mike 


i cant wait to try the new shock

[sirgalahad3]

Onejay, can you be more specific re the longer bolt please. My shock conversion has come to a grinding halt because of this problem. What bolt did you buy ( part number? ) who did you get to alter or is there any measurements for the new bolt?
Thanks. N.

[sirgalahad3]

PS: did you leave the standard dog bones on or fit longer ones to return the ride height to standard? I have failed to find anyone who can make dog bones or supply them. Its been a while now but I think 3mm c\c longer needed but I could be wrong.
Cheers.

[bludclot]

the info needed is here:
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,4976.50.html
the longer bottom bolt needs to have a 41.5mm shoulder, any local machine shop should be able to make one for you. I took my standard bolt to mine and they copied it but made the shoulder longer. if you are really stuck then i can repeat this exercise for you but small local machine shops are everywhere and, to be fair, anyone with a lathe and a length of hex should be able to make this....
 

[sirgalahad3]

Thank you bludclot. Most helpful. A concern of mine is that bolt is very highly stressed and the new one needs to be made from suitable material.
Are you using your standard bones on your conversion with forks dropped 10mm?

[bludclot]

standard dog bones for me, standard front fork positioning in the yokes to give a slightly raised rear. seeing as i have long legs and ride like the iam trained rider that i am (!) it works for me!

[sirgalahad3]

Yep that's what I intend to do I think. Forks are dropped 10mm at the moment but with the BMW shock and standard bones I fear the bike will be sloping towards the front too much so forks will go back to standard.
Average legs and self taught over nearly 40 years here so hope it works for me!

[richiomtt]

Hi there,


Just to put your mind at rest, I installed my BMW shock over 2 years ago with a heavier spring from K'Tech (it needs it as you can't get the correct static sag), standard dog bones (you can't fit the after-market ones as the back wheel is then nearly on the ground with the centre-stand, as the BMW shock raises the rear) and have the front forks lifted through the yokes 20mm, so quite "extreme".


It steers brilliantly now and handles like a dream, but most importantly never had any stability issues on the bumpiest of roads and I don't hang around.


Rich

[sirgalahad3]

Hi Rich, thanks for input. I was concerned about high speed stability but you post suggests that will be fine. I am not a fast rider but the standard stability of
 the fazer is something I cherish after many years on an xs1100....
Nice one.

[richiomtt]

Sure no worries. An XS1100. Awesome. Bet you've got forearms like popeye lugging that around


The Fazer's a bit easier for sure.


Rich

[sirgalahad3]

Yep. 1.1s
I've had some scary moments on that. Little more than a high speed death trap.
Fazer is a different world, hence my concern about making it unstable by altering geometry.
Sounds like I shall enjoyvmy BMW shock!
Cheers.

[onejay]

had my first run on the fazer today with the new shock


well impressed