R65 shock length

[NC Steve]

I'll soon be taking delivery on another R65 that is in dire need of new rear shocks, and have been looking at replacements, probably either Hagon or Progressive due to cost.
However, I just found my brand new Sachs shocks that were removed from the Guzzi at purchase. Only problem seems to be that they're 13.5" long instead of the standard 13" the R65 used.

In theory, raising the rear of the bike that extra 1/2" (or less really, since they mount on a diagonal) should decrease the rake and make the front steer a tad quicker. In reality, though, do you think I would really notice the difference? If so, could the bike possibly then handle too quickly?

I'd love to use what I've already got, and the price sure would be right, in line with the rest of this project.
What do y'all think?

[montmil]

Steve, Unless on the same level as Val Rossi, I doubt any of us would notice a difference. Give the Sachs boingers a shot. Unless you can really notice too much quickness in the steering, ride happy and save some bucks... IMO.   Monte

[JDS]

 I noticed that the HD sportster shocks are 13 - 13.5 and can be got cheap. I think for me at 230 the .5 inch is helpful. I'm use to offroad and like some sag. Different shock angles will create a different leverages therefore requiring a different spring load.  Should be a shock sag number somewhere in a manual. most dirt bikes its around 3 inches for 12 inches of travel. I'm not use to having no dampening control with suspension.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Steve, I'm like Monte, go with the Guzzi/Sachs shocks.  If you don't like them then you can always change off later.  What kind of shocks are you running on the Jackal?  I think I have stock shocks on my CSS and they seem to handle the weight and bumps just fine.  Show us some pix of your new acquisition when you can.

[NC Steve]

I'm running a set of Harley air shocks on the Guzzi, to replace the shorty 12" Progressives the original owner had installed when the bike was new. Similarly, Ebay is littered with guys selling brand new air shocks from the Harleys they had lowered at the dealers. I paid $13 for the pair I got, new and in a box! It costs $20 more to ship them!

I never could get the Guzzi's stock Sachs ones set up right, but I'm going to try and reset them to "default mode" and see if I can make them work on the R65. This will be a low bucks  around-town and short trip bike, so I'm trying to keep the costs down as much as possible.

Thanks for the input!

[steve hawkins]

You might notice the difference as I think the shock will now be the same length as the ones fitted to the larger airheads (R60/75/80/90/100).  They run a bigger front wheel (19inch) and have a longer rear shock to level things out.

The R65 runs an 18 inch front wheel so has a shorter shock at the back.

I know when I had a 19 inch wheel on my R65 cafe Racer it steered like an 'Orange County chopper'...i.e. it did not.  I dropped the tubes through the yokes by half an inch to level things up again and now all is well.

You cannot do that, as you have the opposite problem.  However you might get away with if as long as you have preload adjustment and put it on the lowest setting.

Fingers crossed

Steve Hawkins

[rl900]

If the shocks came from a Guzzi, you might have a much heavier spring rate than the R65 due to the (assumed) heavier weight of the Guzzi.
As to the Sportster shocks, aren't the mounting eyes wider on the Harley shocks?
Ron

[Red_Hen]

I bought mine from Progressive - I called Progressive and they have a dealer they recommend with great prices.  They have a specific size & model for the R65.