Rear Shocks bottoming out on Z50R ? TEST

[preventec47]

I cannot believe the shock industry does not publish compressed length as well as max length
( allowing for stroke length calculation) so I want to make sure I have clearance and I cannot
push my bike down and hold it. Lightbulb flashed on and I removed one rear shock and now
I can push down till it bottoms out. What I want to know is if I have any (how much)
clearance when I am bottomed out. Need something to squish that will hold its form after I
set it on top of tire and bottom out my frame. Best I can come up with is baked sweet potato
or two peeled bananas.

I dont know if they still make play-doh. What if I made my own.

Possibly peanut butter mixed with flour to make round balls I can squash.
( I dont have any sweet potatos or bananas )

Ah---- modeling clay. Where do you get that ?

Brick Mason thick Mortar Balls covered with cellophane ?

 

[scooter]

Why don’t you just take the springs off of the shocks (remove the top acorn) and put them back on the bike and you can tinker all you want without fighting the springs.

Also with the springs off, you can measure the free travel of the center rod. There is a spring inside but it doesn’t impact the bottoming part of the stroke. I’ve also have spring rate data but can’t get to it for a few days.

 

[preventec47]

Whenever it sounds too easy to be true, It probably isn't

I am holding the shock right here in my lap .... all 31 ounces of it. with 270mm mount hole spacing.

I know they have to assemble it somehow but I dont think it was meant to be taken apart.

My shocks are pretty and shinny but I know they are a chinese no name brand.

WAIT ! hold on ..... I see something ! I see a nut on the top of the rod inside the springs.....
So if I can only pull the springs down and hold em while I get my 13mm wrench...

FAT CHANCE Perhaps they make spring compressors for Shocks like valves and coils
in autos etc.

I can see it is easy to create pre-load adjustment mechanisms for the shock springs but are any
shocks adjustable in stroke length ?

 

[scooter]

Most of us have made our own spring compressor of some sort to get to that nut. My favorite is the member who uses a large size caulking gun.

 

[scooter]

I use a custom wedge shaped wrench to quickly get the caps off

 

[kirrbby]

Most of us have made our own spring compressor of some sort to get to that nut. My favorite is the member who uses a large size caulking gun.

It's a quart size caulk (glue) gun, modified a bit. It may not even be necessary to lengthen it...definitely not, for Z50 shocks.

This was done by someone else before me...not my idea.