VN900 classic shock on 800 Drifter? IT WORKED

[Lucky]

still loving it -- though i've lost nearly 40lbs since making this, and am considering turning it down to a 1 setting when i reach -50

it does raise the seat about 1" .. so i expect a lowered 1" 900 shock with make it ride about the same.. though, TBH, i like the higher seat height -- while i might not be fur covered, Sasquatch genetics appears in my DNA

[CARPE DIEM DRIFTER]

Kow8rdr, If I am reading Luckys post correctly, he states the the standard VN900 shock raised his seat height about 1" on his 800 Drifter. I believe that the 1" lower Vn900 shock would put your seat height about where it is now with your standard VN800 shock. Happy drifting, CDD

[Kow8rdr]

CDD, with your research on the shocks ,would it be feasible to think if you were to mount the shock for the 900 , 465-1171b it would lower your seat by about 1"?  That seems like a good plan to lower ride height and replace shock at same time. Just curious. Craig

[greenbarn]

It's good to know this retro-fit works.    How's it going by this time, still liking it?

Hey Chief, did this get added to the "what works" retrofit section?

[Lucky]

2 works.. and i am not a little guy --- it might be too soft for in town/suck roads, but at speed it is very relaxing - will likely set back to 3 for in town commuting

to adjust:
take the seat off, use the short spanner and a 10 or 12" ext on your 3/8 drive ratchet -- click ..

it can also be adjusted the "long" way -- take off tire and fender, take off top two bolts from mud flap, adjust with a normal spanner --

with short spanner, 10 minutes, with long spanner, call it an hour (too long, but works)

i haven't tried using a long ext from the "port" for adjusting the stock shock .. i'll do that another day

[Lucky]

this has worked out well  -- i'll be doing mtsc tomorrow, and will likely set from 3 to 2 and let you know

[Tush]

Thanks Jeff,

This is something I might do in the future.

Cheers,
Tush

[Lucky]

well, that was easier than i thought

short version
(loosen things first, before getting the jack)
take off the seat, rear wheel and fender, right side panel and box, and while on the jack, it was trivial to get the shock to fit. (the shocks are 17mm bolts and nuts, just as an fyi)

i set the shock at 3 preload -- next time i have the seat off, i'll bring it down to 2 . it's pretty firm at 3

raises the seat just about 1" on 3 preload - which increases ground clearance

and

effectively raises the stock tail pipes about the same --
so, the bad
had to cut off about 1/2" off the fender bolt that goes behind the exhaust pipe ... we should all do this, anyway
right tail light, if not pushed all the way in, touches the tailpipe when i am off the bike
have to take off seat to adjust preload (who cares, it's 4 easy to reach 12mm bolts)

the good

raises clearance about an inch -- i could NOT force peg drag on my normal "chill out" ride, normally the kick stand (yes, i know) drags in the roundabouts, and i can get the right peg to touch... not tonight (seat and ground clearance) - no, i don't need a longer kickstand, but i'd take one if i could find one, with the correct PN

how does it ride? i expect, as Scout has over 32,000 miles, it rides much closer to stock - my commute and a couple ways back t my house have "Wavy" roads, and Scout used to certainly to feel like she was hitting pretty hard, even with shock on 6 -- i am 6'4, 250-260 depending on the day, and i have viking bags and a travel bag on her most of the time .. call it 300 even ... while the shock is firm, on 3, there was no pogo, and no hard bottom -- old shock on 3 was terrible, btw .. new felt firm, but not harsh or stressed

did raising her an inch matter in handling? nah, not much, though i didn't go carve canyons, i did take a nice scenic highway at reasonable speeds

how did it effect low speed tight handling? i really couldn't say, as i also swapped to a 38, from 42t, rear sprocket .. that was good for over 5 mpg ..and now first gear has some legs.. in the new setup, low speed was great, and i could make more crisp moves ..

So, all in all, if you are over 200lbs, or ride 2 up, i would do it again, in a heartbeat .. and as 900 classic shocks can be found for next to nothing, vs 400 for ours, it's a win ...

with the tire off the bike, and the jack NOT on the arm, it was finger strength works to get the bottom on.. you put the top on first .. i installed mine from the top, dropping it in behind the electrical box ... had to give that a push to slide the old one out and new one it .. nothing to it.. less hassle than trying to take it out from under.

sorry for the long rambling story
1: 900 classic shock is an easy install and replacement
2: raises everything about an inch - this COULD affect handling, you be the judge if it's right for you
3: preload of 3 is strong enough for 250# rider and gear
4: have to take seat off to adjust preload
5: i don't drag stuff on hard turns anymore
bonus - 38t rear is the goods! do it next time you have your tire off or change your chain

I am tickled with the results

[Lucky]

Maybe this weekend -- I had to lean the fuel out, a good deal -- if wifoo allows, i'll do it this weekend and see if it works.

[Lucky]

I bought a 900 rear shock, with all the attachment pieces - it looks like there is 1.5mm width clearance on both sides - from what I could measure on the bike, which should be enough -- though it seems to be longer than I had anticipated -

I have some maintenance to do on the rear wheel, while I am at it -- 38t sprocket, new cushions, might as well do brakes and wheel bearings while I am at it, as well. and, when the wheel is off, might as well replace the rear tire. So, parts are on the way, and it will likely be a week or two before i have all the parts and TIME to work on this.

I am planning on setting the preload at "two" - and i "discovered" this little gem .. a mini spanner for tight spots -- haven't tried it, of course, but this may resolve my concern over adjusting on the bike
https://www.cyclegear.com/accessories/stockton-compact-spanner-wrench
stockton compact spanner wrench -- which you put on a 3/8" socket extension bar -- who knew?!?!?!

[CARPE DIEM DRIFTER]

jeffeosso, Keep us posted. You may be doing some groundbreaking work for big folks that love the 800 Drifter. Happy drifting, CDD.

[Lucky]

Part ordered. Let's see what a mess this is

[Lucky]

WOW , Thank you CDD
Perfect. As I wouldn't mind my 800 to be a hair higher and I am a big ole dude..6'4, 250, a bit more stiffness wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least

I ask largely due to cost. 50 bucks for a relatively newer 900 shock vs 500 for a new oem for the 800. I am likely to give this a try.

J

[CARPE DIEM DRIFTER]

Jeffeosso, I was curious about your question and did some research on 800/900 shock specs.. My info. was gathered from Progressive suspension spec. sheets. The Progressive rear shock number for the 800 Drifter is 465-1148B, the number for the 900 standard is 465-1170B and the number for the 900 (1 inch lower ) is 465-1171B. Here are the specs. 465-1148B: extended length; 12.19 inches, compressed length; 10.37 inches, travel; 1.82 inches, rate lb./inches; 400/450. 465-1170B: extended length; 12.75 inches, compressed length; 10.38 inches, travel; 2.37 inches, rate lb./inches; 500/600. 465-1171B: extended length; 12.05 inches, compressed length; 10.38 inches, travel; 1.67 inches, rate lb./inches; 500/600.

I assume( and we all know what that does) that you are looking at OEM shocks, but I have to believe that the Progressive dimensions are the same. Spring rates may vary on the Progressive as opposed to OEM shock. No info. was provided on the spec. sheets as to shock diameters. Hope this helps in your decision making process. Happy drifting, CDD

[Lucky]

Thank you for looking. I couldn't find it either

[Pete]

I peeked into the workshop manual, but the specs don't include that sort of detail.

[Lucky]

now that i have your attention!!
Can anyone tell me some lengths on a 800 shock?

(judging from online pics with
Center to center distance- looks like the 900 is about 12.75 or about 32.5cm
largest diameter looks like 3.25"
and about 14" give/take over all

Yes, i get that the preload adjustment is different - but a 2015 used 900 shock is about 50 bucks .. btw, i wouldn't mind if the 900 shock was a hair longer -- if it raises the seat