A more expensive but ultimately much better option would be to get a specialist to make you up a longer shock. If your budget could stretch to it you could get one with a ride height adjuster so you can fine tune the geometry (and get the forks sprung and valved to suit...)

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Nice bike, Cyberzarindeed man...
I 've just measured the distance (wheel axle-top yoke)...
My stock XT 600 forks = 86+ centimetres
My new YZ 125 -//- = 91- -//-

Total difference = ~5 (five) centimetres.....(46-48 milimetres to be exact)

Regarding that even with the stock-factory front end, the back part of the bike was -already- kinda low and a lot of users without changing the front end, they although did fit an aftermarket shock (usually longer), I must be in seriousl trouble with 5 whole cm added to the equation...:confused1:

Please, let me be as noob as it takes...

I am watching at the interesting photos of Cyberzar. I am trying to understand, how the linkage works under load and what affection would happen if we were trying to fit a longer shock in the specific stock distance. I assume that the upper part of the swingarm linkage (the one that is facing backwards, to the rear wheel) should tend to touch the swingarm itself. For example, in Cyberzar's bike, there is a tiny little space (...about couple mm?) and is almost touching the main body of the swingarm. Suppose it is on the limit, on the edge of extension? Does this happen due to the longer shock? Or this is the "typical image" of a swingarm linkage, even with the stock-factory rear shock? (...please...try to be polite with a...non expert)

I 've taken some photos from my bike, although it's late evening here and the quality is not ideal, and I 've found that I too have an almost identical "image" of my upper part of the swingarm linkage. Almost touches the main body of swingarm. Is that a bad sign? Do I have any more "room" for a longer shock, or not? I 've also tried to take a photo of the lower part of that bloody swingarm linkage (tired of this word). Seems there is more "room" in the bottom (I 'say -at least- 1 cm). Maybe I am lucky enough, and that specific space, between the lower linkage and the main swingarm body...defines the spare "room" I can take advantage?

(I 'll try to upload couple of photos)

Last one. What do you Cyberzar mean by:

"I extended the length of the frame tube (top side)."

In which direction? backwards? up verical? Any photos, please?

Thanx again for sharing knowledge...

Attached Thumbnails

 

 

 

OK, Cyberzar. Think I got your point of modification.

I misunderstood about your bike. Thought it was an XT 350 and along with your WR front end, you also fitted an aluminium swingarm and that your reference about "extended length of frame tube", was about the rear shock mounting and I was trying to figure in which direction...blah-blah-blah...

Man! I am possesed! I always see -only- shock problems! Whatever I read, I think it's relevant with my shock problem

PS. I am about to go to a machinist and order an exact copy of that damn thing. Hope he can build it...

+1 on that, there's a guy here in Australia who mods any Ohlins shock to hearts requirements, longer shorter, custom spring & valve.

It may seem an expensive solution but as my old fella used to say,,,"son, do it once & do it right" and he was right of course.

Search Google for KTM shocks (Ohlins) they are cheap as shit in the US, i was getting them for $30 to $50 a shot, get one longer than you need & they can shorten it pretty easy.



Mezo.

Hi Mezo. You are another one of my "heroes" Your XT revival project was my main inspiration, to restore my old and very first bike of mine. For over 7 years, I 've been cheating my beloved 2KF, with a modified YZF 1000 as a streetfighter. But now I am back

I 've been looking for a long time about these types of rear shocks. You can find some excellent bargains. That's true. But in my set up, I 've left in it's place my stock airbox and as you can imagine...it's pretty difficult to suit a shock like that (with the bottle gas in side-top of it's mounting), into that restricted area.

Note that, I don't fix-repair-upgrade my bike in the back yard of my house, with my tools in my garage. Mostly I pay for everything to get done and truth is, I don't wanna spend a "fortune", cause I can't afford it. I 've paid for buying this shock, rebuild this shock, installed this shock. It's a pitty to just abandon any chance of setting it up correctly to my needs.

Anyway, nice to "see" you arround.

Remote reservoir?

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Anything can happen in the next half hour

...R U talkin' 2 me???....................

Yeah, I 've fitted an Ohlins from TT 600 1996, with Remote Reservoir. Very handling...

I think you'll find KTM use WP suspension. Arent Ohlins part owned by Yamaha?

Used to be, for ~20 years. Ohlins is independant again, I think from 2008.

I 'll stretch all my options about the -already- fitted ohlins shock.

I keep this alternative solution (WP or other shock) back in my head, in only case I will fail to adjust the existing -nice- shock.