Forum

[Owen]

I have acquired a set of Koni Dial-a-Ride's for my 2003 kickstart, non-EFI Indian market 500 Bullet.

The stock shocks are 300mm - these are 330mm. I believe that Electra shocks are 320 or 330mm but that the frame is different to mine.

I can live with some tinkering with the stands but can anyone tell me from experience what the extra shock length will do to the rake angle?

Am I going to have a bike which is twitchy at speed?

If I set the shocks as soft as possible, will they sag enough to correct the rake a bit?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[scotty]

Hi owen I, ve got 320 shocks on a 93 bullet you just have to reset central position on the swinging arm, I made a gauge from a bit of 25 by 3mm flat bar you should be able to find correct distance on this site and add difference for your 330 shocks. Idea is to get swinging arm in central position or you ruin bushes. Drill holes at appropriate distances to fit top and btm shock mounts slacken off swing arm nut, put you gauge on bolts and retighten swingingarm nut, easy, I find my bike points into corners a bit better. I think rake angles were ok for 1950 tyres.try it and see you can always put the settings back.

[Owen]

Hi Scotty,

Many thanks for this. I will track down that measurement and apply your wisdom when I fit the shocks.

I thought they may sharpen up the steering. Does it feel any more unstable at speed to you?

I have Hitchcocks undoubtably excellent dual-rate springs to go in the forks too, which presumable won't alter any geometry.

Cheers

[Owen]

I should add that the tyres are Roadriders, or their new equivalent. Good tyres.

[Bullet Whisperer]

Hi Owen, pay special attention to the rear chain and its' adjustment and free play. I put longer rear shocks on my greenlaner [Redditch 500] and had to fit a sprung chain tensioner, because I wasn't happy with the large amount I had to have in the chain, to allow for when the rear suspension compressed and pulled the chain tighter. Regards, Paul.

[Les H]

Also, the top chain run will be that much closer to the swing arm pivot and might well rub at the very slightest amount of chain slack especially on the overrun....Les

[Les H]

If you want to shorten them back to the normal length, you might be able to unscrew the top eye of the damper od shorten it by 30mm and re-thread it...obviously dismantle spring first....unfortunately for you or not you will have an extra 30mm of preload set in to the springs afterwards...Les

[Les H]

Hmmmm.....As others have reported...it's weird that letters and words seem to disappear on this forum when message is entered?????

[ric]

I fitted longer shocks with lighter springs to my Bonneville. Overall sag put the seat height about 10mm higher than stock. One of the main benefits was it was much easier to put on the center stand and yes it did quicken up the steering (for the better) along with a bit of weight transfer down onto the front end.
I would think you'd need to have the solo springs fitted to be in with a good chance of things working out.

to reiterate the earlier comments; with the longer shocks fully extended when the bike on its (modified?) center stand you will be seeing a lot more chain slack. As long as you don't adjust this to obtain the recommended settings you won't risk the chain going bar tight as the suspension compresses and all 3 axis points align.

[Owen]

Thank you Bullet Whisperer - how long did you go with your shocks?

And thank you Les H. I thought I might get away without chain issues but I now fear not. I have looked into modifying the shocks. If I can do it safely I think I'll try that and fit a set of Hitchcocks springs for 300mm shocks.

I like the way she currently handles even on the cheap original suspension so I don't want to play with the geometry. However, I do want my darling to have the best rear-end possible...

Has anyone heard of 300mm Koni's for a Bullet? I assume they exist.

Also, can anyone point me in the direction of frame geometry specs for Post Redditch Bullets?

Cheers,

Owen