Shock absorber length

[Tim L]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me the eye to eye length of the factory fitted shock absorbers on the first 650SE. Mine is a 79.
Also, has anyone fitted longer shocks and what is the longest you can fit without the chain rubbing on the swing arm.
Tim.

 

[5twins]

I think the factory stock length was something like 12 5/8" or 12 3/4". Most of us do fit slightly longer units as it improves the handling a bit. I'm not sure exactly how long you can go but most of us stay in the 13"-13 1/2" range. I think the Konis I fitted are about 13 1/4" and originally speced for a Moto Guzzi.

 

[ady66]

360 mm rubbed slightly on the top of the swingarm on a closed throttle but can't remember what sprockets I was running at the time. I changed to 330 mm with no issues. Larger diameter shocks may require the chainguard cutout to be dressed and there's not a great deal of chain clearance (based on Hagon Nitros).