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[Laker]

Thanks a million for taking the time 103. When I got into the garage tonight and reread the instructions, it all made sense. I also used the stock washer and locking washer and left the progressive washers in the box. Now if the weather would warm a little I might be able to test these puppies out.

[110tHunDer]

You bet, Laker.  Thanks to DavidB, too, for posting his photo.  I guess this is proof that all things happen for a reason.  If I'd have got all four of my thing-a-ma-jiggers, this never would've come up and you'd have been riding around sleeve-less (and I ain't talking about your t-shirts). [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[lugnut]

Thanks gentlemen. It good to know when I get into the garage and start taking things a part I'll have the confidence in knowing what I'am doing. Just need to make it to the garage. THANKS AGAIN

[lugnut]

Brian, Install the shocks yet. If so did things go smooth

[110tHunDer]

No, still waiting on the stupid sleeve.  I thought it would've been here by now.  Are they still using the Pony Express between here and the West Coast?!?  I did get the jack under it tonight though, so I'm good to go as soon as it gets here.  I will take photos of the install and post those and some instructions when I finally get the job done.

Here's one thing I was thinking about tonight though, while I was messing with the jack . . .  For you guys going with something other than the stock 12" length, won't that necessitate adjusting the belt tension?

[lugnut]

Can I here your thought on the belt tension. Please. Think out loud for me. Thanks

[110tHunDer]

Yeah, maybe we don't have this question in the right section of the board.  I'm surprised no one's responded yet.  Maybe it's totally insignificant, but as you add length to the shocks, it seems it would increase the drive belt tension and vise-versa.

[Twolanerider]

You're not pushing the axle back you're moving the swingarm up or down within the normal suspension arc.

[110tHunDer]

OK, so why do they tell you to check tension with the bike on the ground?  It would be a lot easier to find the tight spot in the belt with the rear wheel in the air (with the bike on a jack).  Mind you, not trying to make a big deal out of this, just trying to understand. [smiley=nixweiss.gif]

[110tHunDer]

Well, I guess Mobe's measurements (see here: http://flhrsei.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=eg_gen;action=display;num=1098034542;start=38#38) blow my concern out of the water.  I guess I was just being anal and over-analyzing.  I'll take it as a sign that winter's getting a little long in the tooth right about now! [smiley=confused.gif]

[DavidB]

Well, I guess Mobe's measurements (see here: http://flhrsei.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=eg_gen;action=display;num=1098034542;start=38#38) blow my concern out of the water.

[Twolanerider]

103, I was in a real rush the other day when answering this.  I can tell you what the guys at Progressive told me.  I assumed there wasn't any particular problem as you're only moving the swingarm in the same arc as it would normally move.  That being so I asked them "why the warning unless someone is using shocks that are a ton longer or shorter than stock."

That was the root of their warning.  A "cover your ass for liability" kind of thing.  In the normal suspension arc it's tightest at one center point and varies within the operating limits within the normal range of travel.  But some folks might remove stops or do other things that would allow it to move beyond the normal range of travel.  And might mount shocks so short in a misguided attempt at lowering to help that process along.  Granted, they'd likely have all kind of other problems to contend with to.  But the warning for tightness was reported for those circumstances.

[mfgreen]

Can I here your thought on the belt tension. Please. Think out loud for me. Thanks

The tension should be inspected and adjusted periodically.  Your thoughts of it having to be done because of taller or shorter shocks is noteworthy.  The tension on the belt will not change because the fulcrum point is at the frame and that does not change in relation to the drive cog or the rear cog for the belt.  This is proven when your original shock telescopes or compresses.  With a longer or shorter stroke that your new fitment of shocks provides,  the relationship of the distance of cogs have to each other remains the same distance.  All that has changed is the stopping points(of the rear wheel axle) in the arc formed from the connection point of the swingarm to the chassis.  It is like an analog clock.  The connection point of the swingarm to the frame(where the hands of the clock rotate from) now have a different operating point.  Lets say for example that the minute hand used to rest at quarter past thre and with longer shocks the hand would now rest at 3:17 or with shorter shocks the resting point would be 3:13 or thereabouts.  Not much of a change and the geometry of the offset that exists between the drive cog and the cog on the rear wheel assembly versus the connection point of the chassis and the swingarm is setup as such that this does not become an issue within the arc of travel that the bike can be operated at.

[JR]

OK, finally bit the bullet and went the http://www.mawonline.com/ route.

[110tHunDer]

JR, the 4050's are the 12.0-inch heavy-duty.