13 3/4" shock on Tonti frame

[nunzio]

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

[Chuck in Indiana]

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

[balvenie]

          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.

[Idontwantapickle]

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.
 
Hunter

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

[Kiwi Dave]

          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.

[Petrus Rocks]

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.

[charlie b]

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

[balvenie]

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

Thanks Dave

[gfritzmeier]

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?