Sportster shocks

Wulf · Posted: March 5, 2005, 2:41 am Post subject: Sportster shocks

Picked up a set of fairly new rear shocks from a Sportster in perfect condition. They are about an inch shorter than the stock 650. The top mount is fine but the bottom mount is just a bit wider than the bracket on the swingarm. I've yet to try to mount them but will let ya'll know next week since I'll be completely dissasembling the bike for painting and the new swing arm bushings and tires and stuff. If I can't get them to mount with a little persuasion, then I have several friends who can just reweld new brackets.
Wulf

Wulf · Posted: March 13, 2005, 9:57 pm Post subject: Sportster shocks Udate

Ok, tried the sportster shocks on for size and found that the metal insert for the upper bushing was too small for the stud. Tried it without the insert and the dimensions were too large. Lower bolt was too large for with the bushing, and as I suspected the slightly wider lower mounting eye would not fit without bending the tab on the swingarm out, thus misaligning the holes for the bolt. Hmmm... I have a friend with an in home machine shop with lathe. I'll see if I can find some metal inserts with the correct inner dimension and have him turn the outer dimension to fit the rubber insert on the shock. Have another friend with about every kind of welder so I'll get him to weld a new lower bracket. I'll keep ya posted. Ride safe.
Wulf

Tomterrific · Posted: April 4, 2006, 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Sportster shocks

Hi Wulf,

It seems the easy way would be to grind the lower shock mount narrow than to modify the swing arm.

On the top. Did you get the steel insert out of the bush? Maybe you could ream it (drill) to 14mm on a drill press.

Tom Graham

mo650chopper · Posted: April 4, 2006, 8:25 am Post subject: Re: Sportster shocks

I have HD shocks on mine. I ground off the outer shock mount bracket on the swingarm then drilled and tapped the shock mount to 1/2" threads. It's plenty strong as this is how Harley had their swingarm shock mounts since they were making swingarms.

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