Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: RE: Shocks - Now Trade?

Author: Keith Ruff

Date: Nov 15, 2004, 5:33 PM

Post ID: 1717890167



I had Cam sit on the bike and the swingarm does not budge, it stays on
an angle leaning towards the rear of the bike. The shocks must be
pretty stiff because the back end doesn't really move even with me on
it. Even jumping up and down it moves little. The front end seems to
have nice rebound to it. So I'm thinking that maybe very little gear
oil is migrating from the rear end, perhaps it is tranny fluid leaking
back. I har a little oil working it's way in there is not all bad as it
lubes up the u-join/driveshaft. I think at this point, I'll wait until
she is all back together, take her for a nice ride, see how she handles,
and see if I get any oil leak and go from their. Another side note is
that the driveshaft boot is new but is a split type which I hear never
seal well.

Keith Ruff
70 Cafe Racer Ambo
Manahawkin, NJ

Keith Ruff wrote:
 
Progressive says there is no way to lengthen their shocks. Anybody have

a nice set of stock 13 inch shocks they want to trade me for these
Progressive Suspension 11.5 inchers?

Keith Ruff
70 Cafe Racer Ambo
Manahawkin, NJ

Keith Ruff wrote:
 
Sending this a 2nd time, bad connection on my server.

I checked the swingarm position while the bike was on the centerstand
last eve, swingarm is tilted slightly toward the rear away from the
trans. I would guess that when I take the bike off the center stand and


sit on it, the swingarm would probably sit level. So, I'm guessing that


while I ride, the swingarm would tilt up towards the trans occasionally
which would send drive oil down the driveshaft, which is why I am
getting a drop or 2 of oil out of the boot. All makes sense now, I was
thinking the back of the bike was sitting lower, not realizing it was
the swingarm that was changing it's position. I am going to call
Progressive Suspension today to see if it's possible to mod these 11.5
inch shocks to 13 inches. If not, I will probably sell these and look
for the stock size.

Thanx!

Keith Ruff
70 Cafe Racer Ambo
Manahawkin, NJ

Paul P. Linn wrote:
 
Keith,

Take the wife's full length mirror and put it next to the bike. Get on
and look at the swing arm. More than likely it is now angled down
towards the center of the bike. It should also be evident just looking
at the swing arm while the bike is on the center stand. If you want to
lower the bike correctly with those shocks, you would also have to go
with a smaller size rim. You can safely use a 12.5" shock to lower it
enough without causing the angle effect.

Paul

Keith Ruff wrote:

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Not sure I understand that theory. Wouldn't the bike be sloped towards
the rear forcing lube to the rear wheel, not away from it? If my theory



is backards, this could prove Andy Hill's theory that the oil I am
getting dripping ever so slowly from the driveshaft boot is from the
rear drive migrating forward down the driveshaft. I wonder if
Progessive reworks their shocks to get them back to 13" height?

Keith Ruff
Manahawkin, NJ

Rob Prins wrote:


 Keith,
You might want to check out Guzziology 13-4 thru 13-6 (possible causes
of rear drive lube migration). Basically, heavier rider + short shocks
= swingarm sloped the wrong way and possible rear drive starvation.
Then you'll end up wishing you hadn't sold those rear drive parts on
ebay!
Rob
Keith Ruff wrote:


 I now know why the new Ambo seems to sit lower and why it is harder to
get on the center stand than the old one. The Progressive shocks on the





rear are 11.5 inches instead of stock 13 inches. My question is why
would someone change to shorter shocks? Better handling? Lower ride
height? Am I better off going back to stock height?

Keith Ruff
Manahawkin, NJ

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