Shortening Shocks

Post your "How To", or share tips and tricks about maintenance related to four cylinder Wings. Only registered users can read this forum.

Moderators: Whiskerfish, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
peteybug
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 787
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:20 pm
Location: northern new york

Shortening Shocks

#1

Post by peteybug »

I had some spare time on my hands (laid off for a few weeks) So played with shocks. First I have to thank Whiskerfish for the shocks. Without him I couldn't have done this. Tools you need are coilspring clamp. Got mine at harborfreight for 11.00 on sale. Hammer, wrenches,visegrips, hacksaw, metric die that match's thread and cutting oil.

Image

Take shocks and put spring compressor in spring. One will fit in saddle, screw a bolt into threaded part of saddle.

Image

You will only need to compress spring enough to get a wrench on the nut on the shaft. When nut is exposed put your wrench on it.( mine was 17 mm) Now put a round object in hole. Smack it with a hammer to break it loose. (ratchet I used was a junk one).

Image

Image

When you get it apart (release spring clamps) take visegrips with a piece of rubber so as not to mar shaft. Brake nut loose and remove.

Image

Image

Image

Now fasten shock to bench with shaft hanging over edge so it will not move.

Image

Measure the threads mine were 3/4 in. Add an inch that would be 1-3/4 in and mark on shaft.

Image

Image

Now take your metric die and cutting oil and rethread shaft to mark.

Image

Image

Now take hacksaw and cut off 1in. of threads. I used a sawall ( I'm lazy)

Image

Now reassemble in reverse order. Shocks will be 1in. shorter. Just a note Not all shocks have same thread. Allso some shocks do not have threads at all they are pressed in. So if you try this make sure you have shocks with threaded shaft. My threads were 12-1.25 mm. Like I stated some are different sizes.

Image

Again my thanks to Whiskerfish for shocks. Shocks cleaned up nice Steve.
love new ideas for old wing's. AS I have three and am always working on them

[img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle040-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle037-1-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/3%20wings/Townworkandbikes036-1.jpg[/img]
User avatar
anarki
Billet Alum. Member
Billet Alum. Member
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:54 pm
Location: Omaha, NE

#2

Post by anarki »

Awesome write up!!! Now I just have to decide if I'm going to keep the air shocks that were on her or find something else!!!
You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.
Galileo
'78 GL1000, '77 KZ650 Cafe Racer
User avatar
Whiskerfish
President
President
Posts: 36850
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 9:34 pm
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
Location: Norfolk Va

#3

Post by Whiskerfish »

Excellent Write up!! Gald I counld contribute!
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

#4

Post by CYBORG »

interesting concept. how does that effect the travel of the shock? any chance of it bottoming out? have you also shortened the spring by 1 inch? and have you thought about leaving the spring the same length and compressing it more?
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
User avatar
Roady
Member Relations &_Graphics
Member Relations &_Graphics
Posts: 11957
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:35 pm
Location: Port St. John, FL

#5

Post by Roady »

Great idea, Peteybug.

Good writeup with excellent pics.
User avatar
peteybug
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 787
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:20 pm
Location: northern new york

#6

Post by peteybug »

Cyborg I left the spring the length it was. As for bottoming out I don't see a prob. As this is for my bobber. Its a solo bike and due to my (awsome) body structure should work fine for me. I'm 5-10 160lbs. take a 30 waist pants. I could prob just use a spring biggrin . I don't think I would use it on a 2 person bike but will try it this spring and see. Right now we have 12ft. snow banks so trying now is out of the question.
love new ideas for old wing's. AS I have three and am always working on them

[img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle040-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle037-1-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/3%20wings/Townworkandbikes036-1.jpg[/img]
User avatar
CYBORG
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 24536
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
Location: Muskegon mich

#7

Post by CYBORG »

sounds like it should work for you. by compressing the spring more the damping wil be stiffer and the rebound won't be that important. be sure and let us know how it works. sounds like a good fix to a common problem
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
bum
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1067
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:13 pm
Location: Merced California

Great write up...............

#8

Post by bum »

I have some spare shocks that I would like to try that on..............I had success compressing the springs with some giant worm clamps(?), you know like hose clamps, if stretched out they are probably 18" long.
I used two, they were easy to snake between the coils.('8)')
bum
8 wings + 1 Triumph +2 Musclecars = 1 pissed off wife !!!
User avatar
peteybug
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 787
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:20 pm
Location: northern new york

#9

Post by peteybug »

Just make sure you have right die some are 12mm found some with 10mm and one realy weird one with 11mm and thats is a weird one.
love new ideas for old wing's. AS I have three and am always working on them

[img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle040-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle037-1-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/3%20wings/Townworkandbikes036-1.jpg[/img]
User avatar
WingerDave
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 644
Joined: Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:22 am
My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/album225/
Location: The Netherlands

#10

Post by WingerDave »

Fantastic........ and you'd never have been able to do such a good job without the Rapid Tap. That stuff rocks !!! :-D

Dave
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

'80-'81 GL 1100 Hybrid Vetter Interstate 90K km
1989 GL1500 58K mls

Previous bikes

1973 Suzuki GT 500
1975 BMW R60/6
1982 Suzuki GS 550
1980 GL1100 (frame went to current bike, rest parted out)
1983 GL1100 Interstate
User avatar
Jason J
Chrome Member
Chrome Member
Posts: 152
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:23 pm
Location: WA

#11

Post by Jason J »

Do you think going two inches would be too much?
http://www.nakedgoldwings.com/gallery/JasonJ
User avatar
peteybug
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 787
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:20 pm
Location: northern new york

#12

Post by peteybug »

Won't leave much room for travel. Mine are working great with just a little over an inch shorter.
love new ideas for old wing's. AS I have three and am always working on them

[img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle040-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle037-1-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/3%20wings/Townworkandbikes036-1.jpg[/img]
bum
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1067
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:13 pm
Location: Merced California

short shocks

#13

Post by bum »

Peteybug,
I shortened my shocks just like your post, works great, makes it much easier to control my bike when stopped.....thanks 8)
bum
8 wings + 1 Triumph +2 Musclecars = 1 pissed off wife !!!
User avatar
peteybug
Silver Member
Silver Member
Posts: 787
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:20 pm
Location: northern new york

#14

Post by peteybug »

Your welcome glad I could help save you some cash. ;)
love new ideas for old wing's. AS I have three and am always working on them

[img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle040-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/motorcycle037-1-1.jpg[/img][img]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/peteybug8/3%20wings/Townworkandbikes036-1.jpg[/img]
User avatar
78AZWing
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1035
Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:12 am

#15

Post by 78AZWing »

Will this help us riders with the short leg/balance on tippy-toes problem? :?:
For that run-down feeling -
Try Jaywalking!

1978 'Wing with Weber conversion, UnDressed
1976 Junkyard 'Wing with a Dyna ignition. Otherwise undressed.

Proud member of the "NGW CARTEL"
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “How To 4-Wings (Tutorials Only)”