I trawled the internet, bidding and losing on several before obtaining one in good condition at a price I was prepared to pay.
Part 2 of the task lay ahead of me - the appropriate linkage/dogbone combo.
This took me even longer than the shock had and after a few 'pipped at the post' experiences I ended up paying over the odds for one that, on arrival, I discovered needed all new bearings,seals and two pins to boot. Still....I had what I wanted.
Two weeks later, trawling the web again, I see another linkage advertised as a 'buy it now' for approx one third of what I paid for mine - advertised as being from a Tuono but as I now know, still compatible with the Mille shock.
Too much of a bargain to resist so I bought it and when it arrived it is perfect with recent new/bearings and seals.
I took it into the garage to compare and it is identical to the one I already have......... except the side plates are thinner by about 2mm.
I wondered about this as I'd never read of different types being available. Later that day, a mate called and I pointed out the difference and wondered aloud why. After hefting the two and comparing them, he stated what should have been obvious earlier but I'd missed totally........the thinner set are steel as opposed to alloy.
Other than that both look identical with the factory arrows stamped on etc.
So that's a new one on me and gives me a dilemma......which would be the best to use and why the different types?
