Front Shock length?

[Revalden]

Does anyone know the length, eye to eye, of the front shocks? Thanks

 

[Peter Aawen]

Fully extended? Or fully compressed? :dontknow:

 

[Revalden]

Fully extended? Or fully compressed? :dontknow:

Yes, please. Both. Oh, and spring length?

 

[PMK]

What year RT.

 

[Revalden]

What year RT.

It's a 2015 RT-S Special Series

 

[PMK]

It's a 2015 RT-S Special Series

Are you needing replacement front shocks or trying to upgrade?

18 3/4” extended center to center on the mounting bolts. Essentially a 3” stroke, so 15 3/4” compressed.

 

[Genradman]

This seem too long.....are we speaking on ride height on the front shocks on a 2015 RT....I have a 2015 RT and may ride height is 12.25'' when setting on the Spyder. I had a friend measure top mounting bolt to bottom bolt while both my wife and myself are on the Spyder. I have ELKA stage 2 shocks with extra heavy (10" ) springs.

 

[Genradman]

I found this some time ago...and is what I'm using to make adjustments to the ride height...


https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums...-Wheel-Alignment/page3&highlight=height+chart


Keep us updated on your finding of what works for you!!

 

[PMK]

This seem too long.....are we speaking on ride height on the front shocks on a 2015 RT....I have a 2015 RT and may ride height is 12.25'' when setting on the Spyder. I had a friend measure top mounting bolt to bottom bolt while both my wife and myself are on the Spyder. I have ELKA stage 2 shocks with extra heavy (10" ) springs.

He is asking specifically for shock mounting bolt hole centers at full extension and fully compressed. I took a shock that was removed from that same series and vintage Spyder, and measured as he asked.

Not sure what your friend measured.

Can Am, in the manual gives very specific ride height specs to follow.

 

[Genradman]

Yes...you are correct...... I'm very sorry!...Monday without COFFEE .....

I when back and looked to the service bulletin for a RT ride height is 17.52....and I'm running 18.25 (not 12.25) with the ELKA shocks with pre load that feels right to me...if I adjust to get the 17.52....it's TOO soft and flops in turns....We had to use (2) 12 inch rulers together to measure and I'm running about 0.75 inch high on ride height.....and having handling issues....

and welcome anyone's input.

 

[canamjhb]

I have a new pair of OEM shock assemblies (springs installed). As close as my eye can tell, they are 18.75" eye to eye. Too stiff for me to extend or contract. The installed spring length is 8 inches. Again, these are shocks put together with the springs and NOT installed on the bike. Hope this was helpful..... Jim

 

[Geep]

I have been looking for shock upgrades also...IMO the Elka are unreasonably priced...what I would like to see are progressive wound springs for the front. Dirt track/circle track suspensions might be a good place to look for shocks

 

[PMK]

I have been looking for shock upgrades also...IMO the Elka are unreasonably priced...what I would like to see are progressive wound springs for the front. Dirt track/circle track suspensions might be a good place to look for shocks

Are you familiar with progressive springs, or more correctly, progressive springs on a short travel A arm suspension design?

 

[PMK]

Yes...you are correct...... I'm very sorry!...Monday without COFFEE .....

I when back and looked to the service bulletin for a RT ride height is 17.52....and I'm running 18.25 (not 12.25) with the ELKA shocks with pre load that feels right to me...if I adjust to get the 17.52....it's TOO soft and flops in turns....We had to use (2) 12 inch rulers together to measure and I'm running about 0.75 inch high on ride height.....and having handling issues....

and welcome anyone's input.

Your springs are too soft of a spring rate. Excessive preload is not a cure for soft springs.

 

[Geep]

Are you familiar with progressive springs, or more correctly, progressive springs on a short travel A arm suspension design?

Nope....

 

[Revalden]

Are you needing replacement front shocks or trying to upgrade?

18 3/4” extended center to center on the mounting bolts. Essentially a 3” stroke, so 15 3/4” compressed.

I'm considering getting Baja Ron's Shock Adjusters and possibly finding another source for the front shocks and possibly adjustable shocks that won't break the bank.
A 3" stroke seems awfully short for me. That's only 1-1/2" of bump absorption. Am I missing something.

 

[PMK]

I'm considering getting Baja Ron's Shock Adjusters and possibly finding another source for the front shocks and possibly adjustable shocks that won't break the bank.
A 3" stroke seems awfully short for me. That's only 1-1/2" of bump absorption. Am I missing something.

4 1/2” of front wheel travel, or a leverage ratio of 1.5:1.