rear shock ratio

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budpat105
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rear shock ratio

Post by budpat105 »

Does any one know what the rear shock linkage ratio is ? I know this is a tough one but this forum has some KDX wizards. Thanks
michael
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Post by michael »

could you not divide wheel travel by the amount of shock travel?
say for example.

300mm wheel travel
-------------
100mm of shock shaft

= 3:1 ratio....

stab in the dark?
gregp
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Post by gregp »

It is not as easy as that. The linkage system is progressive. The first inch of wheel travel usually equates to only 1/4" of shock travel, but once you get down near bottoming out, the last inch of wheel travel trys to move the shock shaft a full inch or so.
Even KTM's PDS system uses simple geometry to take advantage of the angle change between the swingarm and the shock to offer a slight decrease in leverage ratio as the wheel travels through its range of motion. They start off with an angle like this < and end up more like this L.
Husqvarna also offered this design with their layed down shock positions in the late 70's and early 80's...
2004 Dual Sported KDX200
1999 Ninja 250 (Daughter's)
1996 DR 650 (stock, mostly street use)
budpat105
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Post by budpat105 »

What I'm trying to figure out is how many MM of shims I need to put in the shock to lower bike 2" Thanks
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rbates9
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Post by rbates9 »

I had found on the web a site that sells a lowing link for the Kdx. http://www.carlscycle.com/eshopitems_ca ... wasaki.htm give them a try. looks a lot easier than shimming the shock, and if you don't like it you can undo it pretty easy.
gregp
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Post by gregp »

If you want to retain the stock pull rods, and put a spacer under the shock piston, I would suggest using a 3/8" - 1/2" spacer. This will equate to somewhere around 2 inches of travel reduction.
2004 Dual Sported KDX200
1999 Ninja 250 (Daughter's)
1996 DR 650 (stock, mostly street use)
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