shock linkages

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D-Rider · #16 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 12:54 pm

I bow to your wisdom Mango - though I've been running with my Ohlins extended way beyond the mark for 4 years or so now.

I guess it's an "at your own risk" but no problems for me so far.

#17 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Jan 02, 2011 3:17 pm

It's really a question of how much thread is under the threaded portion of the shock end (not counting the lock nut). I'm sure Ohlins factor in a fair safety margin, but that picture scares the bejaysus out of me.

If you look at the thread in the picture, the bottom 2/5ths of the thread is a different shade to the top 3/5ths. To my mind, where the thread changes colour is roughly where the lock nut would be positioned at max height from the factory. I'd be OK if there was about half the current thread visible, but not the way it is now.

It's no wonder the dogbone is smacking the shock bottom as it stands.

Ironically, this is one 'advantage' of using Falco linkages/dogbones with an RSV shock. Because the linkage ratio is higher you can get greater ride height without this kind of risk. Each mm of ride height on Falco parts translates to about 4mm at the wheel, instead of about 2.5-3mm on the RSV linkages. I haven't even got my adjuster up to max yet (i.e. at the mark), but the back end of the bike is still a bit too tall for the sidestand length.

roosterNI · #18 Post by **roosterNI** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:45 pm

the linkages are deffo mille ones, in fact i have about 3 sets of them, i'd say your right in that its over extended, but i had been riding quite a while like this with no ill effects! did i mis understand what you wrote there, if i re fit the falco linkages that i can get extra height? or will that screw up the geometery?

roosterNI · #19 Post by **roosterNI** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:47 pm

also i'm using ebay side stand, busywoo is it called? with no problems.

D-Rider · #20 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:23 pm

roosterNI wrote:the linkages are deffo mille ones, in fact i have about 3 sets of them, i'd say your right in that its over extended, but i had been riding quite a while like this with no ill effects! did i mis understand what you wrote there, if i re fit the falco linkages that i can get extra height? or will that screw up the geometery?

Fitting the Falco triangles will not stroke the mille shock in the way it was intended - you may well need to have the shock re-sprung / re-valved to suit.
I can't say for certain as I've never tried it but there is a likelihood.

roosterNI · #21 Post by **roosterNI** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:00 pm

only one way to find out!

#22 Post by **mangocrazy** » Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:06 pm

roosterNI wrote:did i mis understand what you wrote there, if i re fit the falco linkages that i can get extra height? or will that screw up the geometery?

Using the Falco linkages means that every turn of ride height you dial in has more effect, basically. On the Mille linkages with my Ohlins shock I could add a maximum of about 15mm ride height (measured at the wheel) before I hit the detent/mark. With the Falco linkages, it's about 24mm.

However, as Andy says, nothing comes for free. The change in ratio with the Falco linkages means that the Mille spring on your Sachs shock will be way too soft. You'll need to fit an uprated spring at the very least to get things right.

However, if you happen to have a 'bad' blue spring Sachs shock hanging around, you could rob the spring off it and stick it on your 'good' Sachs shock. A combination of Falco linkages and a spring designed for those linkages (i.e. the blue spring) should be in the ballpark.

You may also need to get the shock re-valved to suit, but if it was me I'd try it out and see how it goes first.

roosterNI · #23 Post by **roosterNI** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:02 pm

well i still have old falco shock so i could swap the spring over and see how it performs. never even thought of doing that, cheers!