rear suspension on 1978 honda CB 550K

[warner6616]

i need to replace the rear shocks on the bike, they're shot. I've measured the shocks on the bike and come up with approx 13.5 ". so before i go and spend the dough was wondering if any one out there could reassure me on these measurements and perhaps suggest a good , and affordable set of rear shocks for my machine... again it's a 1978 CB55K. thanks guys.

 

[Ringo]

Post a pic up of the shock. From your avatar, it doesn't look like you're running stock shocks, or they could have just been painted. Anyways, I believe stock length was about 12.5".

 

[warner6616]

so i took a pic. for some reason i can't get it to up load. someone definitely painted these things. if you look close you can see the drips. i measured from top of the eye, to bottom of the clevis and got my 13.5". is this not where i should be measuring from? also man i checked out your 550 build, HOLY S!!! that's a great looking machine man. what rear shock size did you go with and are those HAGONS? I've seen a lot of guys putting those on their 550's. cheers and thanks.

 

[Ringo]

You'll want to measure center-of-hole to center-of-hole...with the shocks uncompressed.

Thanks man, I'm running 14.2" Hagons, but my front end is raised a little as well.

 

[warner6616]

Hey thanks for that... so ideally i should remove the shock and then measure it, hole to hole... and you're welcome i love the fact that you went with a theme. totally unique, and beautiful at the same time. great work.

 

[Ringo]

Or just throw the bike up on the center stand, just get the weight off the rear.

 

[midgtmn]

If you don't want to change your handling characteristics at all... I would put on stock replacement shocks of the same length.

If you are ok with changing the handling a bit, put on aftermarket shocks of the same length.

If you are ok with changing the handling a lot more, and probably adjusting the front end of your bike as well, put on aftermarket shocks of a different length.

These changes aren't necessarily huge, but they are present with any shock change. Sometimes the change is for the better, sometimes for the worse. Just think about things like ride height, angle, etc, when choosing. I have had some decent luck with cheap Ebay stuff with remote reservoirs if that fits the bill (in this case it was aftermarket shorter length.)

 

[warner6616]

wow. thanks for the tips those are definitely things to consider. don't think i'll be adding anything longer than what is already on there. sticking with stock size. thanks again. and cheers!!!