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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JohninPA on April 12, 2022, 08:05:22 AM

Title: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: JohninPA on April 12, 2022, 08:05:22 AM: After a 14 week wait, I finally received my Bitubo rear shocks. After mounting them yesterday (no issues there, direct fit) .. I'm looking at some pictures on line and I notice something weird. Are my shocks mounted upside down? I mounted them so that all the printing and the adjuster number ring is right side up, but looking at some pictures on line, other pictures show the 'H-S' adjuster at the top, where mine is at the bottom. Any ideas?
(https://i.ibb.co/hZ9f5VC/GTM-V7-Bitubo-Shks-2000x.webp) (https://ibb.co/hZ9f5VC)

(https://i.ibb.co/QHTwctz/052.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QHTwctz)

Shocks are model number WME02V2 ... thanks for any/all responses!

I should make it clear that my shock is the bottom picture, top is one I found on line.
Title: Re: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: Sye on April 12, 2022, 08:24:03 AM: They look upside down to me, the bump stop should be at the bottom. 👍
Title: Re: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: pressureangle on April 12, 2022, 09:20:42 AM: Generally shocks can be mounted either way. I'd leave yours as is, the writings tell everything. Some claim gravity helps your seals as yours are. The bumpstop is between the important pieces whether top or bottom. Some will argue for installing them upside-down for less sprung weight, but on a Goose it's kinda like leaving the tag axle up on a dump truck.
Title: Re: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: fotoguzzi on April 12, 2022, 09:24:09 AM: Dumb question here, if you switched them wouldn't the piston rod be more susceptible to road grime and dirt etc.. yeah I know the crud can get on them mounted either way.
I wouldn't want to stand on my head to read the numbers so id leave as is.
Title: Re: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: pressureangle on April 13, 2022, 07:17:35 AM: Quote from: fotoguzzi on April 12, 2022, 09:24:09 AM
Dumb question here, if you switched them wouldn't the piston rod be more susceptible to road grime and dirt etc.. yeah I know the crud can get on them mounted either way.
I wouldn't want to stand on my head to read the numbers so id leave as is.

I think it's an example of the passing stick, but back when 'upside down' shocks first came out, the flat track guys thought they were better because the dirt couldn't pile up on top of the shock body. I never did see anyone's shock fail before it's age, though.
Title: Re: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: acguzzi on April 13, 2022, 08:39:38 AM: any unsprung weight reduction is good, especially if there is no reason not to.
Title: Re: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: guzzisteve on April 13, 2022, 01:13:49 PM: 90's Californias had Bitubo rear shocks. I think they were mounted like yours are w/lever on bottom. I know they were on a 97 & 96's. Pretty much the same shock from what I see.

Edit: Looked in service man and it shows lever at top BUT it also has air bladder on bottom.
Title: Re: Rear Shock dilemma
Post by: JohninPA on April 13, 2022, 04:30:06 PM: Thanks to all that replied, my dilemma is over ... they're staying the way they are, verified by a little research and comparing them to my riding buddie's, whose V7850 is running the same shocks, but in chrome.

Noticeable improvement in ride comfort and possibly handling as shown on my 150 ride through the countryside today.