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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: nunzio on August 11, 2015, 04:42:34 PM

Title: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: nunzio on August 11, 2015, 04:42:34 PM

A friend has a new pair of.. 13 3/4" eye to eye... Koni Shocks that he will give me to use on my '84 Cali II.
Mine are kinda tired.
Has anyone used a pair that tall?
The shocks on my Cali II are 13" eye to eye.

Any advice is welcome......Alan

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on August 11, 2015, 05:40:12 PM

I was thinking that 13 1/2" was the normal length? Of course, my memory is about as long as my... oh never mind.

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: balvenie on August 11, 2015, 07:02:02 PM

          nunzio,
My copy of Guzziology, Version 7.0, p. 21-7, tells me that your standard length is 13". Don't know what allowance is made for pre load. Also don't know if your model's standard shocks had a pre load feature. Mine bike did not but it is an '04 model.

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: Idontwantapickle on August 11, 2015, 07:18:22 PM

Alan,
Measure yours with the bike on the stand, rear wheel off the ground and compare. I stay away from altering shock length for a variety of reasons. The 2 biggest would be that altered geometry will change the handling (could be positive or negative) and an increased swingarm angle may cause increased wear on the U-joint.
Sometimes free isn't free in the end.
YMMV as will the opinions of others.
 :popcorn:
Hunter

P.S. If your Cal has Konis they can be rebuilt.

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: Kiwi Dave on August 11, 2015, 07:26:17 PM

Quote from: balvenie on August 11, 2015, 07:02:02 PM

          nunzio,
My copy of Guzziology, Version 7.0, p. 21-7, tells me that your standard length is 13". Don't know what allowance is made for pre load. Also don't know if your model's standard shocks had a pre load feature. Mine bike did not but it is an '04 model.

Preload won't change the length of the free standing shock, only the length when it is loaded.

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: Petrus Rocks on August 11, 2015, 07:38:33 PM

A longer shock will make the bike steer quicker- less effort needed to change directions.  On my '85 Cal II cafe build I lengthened the rear shocks by an inch.  I noticed more positive response, quicker steering, a little more feedback through the bars.  Even so the change was small-15%  They're free-see what happens.

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: charlie b on August 11, 2015, 08:22:57 PM

And if you don't like them I'll try them  :D

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: balvenie on August 12, 2015, 03:54:18 AM

Quote from: Kiwi Dave on August 11, 2015, 07:26:17 PM

Preload won't change the length of the free standing shock, only the length when it is loaded.

Thanks Dave :grin:

Title: Re: 13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame
Post by: gfritzmeier on August 12, 2015, 09:08:58 AM

I'm in the process of buying some Showi shocks that are only 1/4 inch longer than my 13" shocks so I assume the difference will not be noticeable. What say you?