Looking for a couple of suspension measurements.

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 06:08 pm Mar 01 2017

I know the rear shock on my 2006 KDX200 was shortened at some point in the past, and I think the forks were shortened as well, but I'm not sure so I'm hoping somebody with a bike that has non shortened suspension can measure theirs so I can compare my measurements to theirs.

Here are mine, with the wheels off the ground and the tape flush with the bottom end of the fork to the top of the fork leg (not the cap, but the chrome leg) I get a measurement of 40 1/2", here are a couple pics so you can see where I measured from to,

Tape at top of fork leg,

And tape at bottom end of fork leg,

Also, if someone could measure the rear as well that would be great, just so I know how much lower my bike is, if I hook the tape on the the end of the subframe and measure to the center of the axle I get 23 1/2", here are a couple pics,

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 06:42 pm Mar 03 2017

Bump!

I'll paypal $4 to the person that provides the measurements

Post by **KDXGarage** » 08:54 pm Mar 03 2017

Somebody with an H handy get off your tail and do it.

MaverickAus · Post by **MaverickAus** » 12:22 am Mar 04 2017

My suspension is away getting refreshed, sorry

John_S · Post by **John_S** » 12:26 pm Mar 06 2017

I'll take the same measurements you did when I get home from work tonight and post.

John_S · Post by **John_S** » 07:10 pm Mar 06 2017

With my bike on a stand, I get 40 3/4 to the top of the fork (bottom of the cap) and 26 1/2 to the center of the rear axle hooking the tape on the subframe like you did. My suspension is stock.

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 10:54 pm Mar 06 2017

John_S wrote:With my bike on a stand, I get 40 3/4 to the top of the fork (bottom of the cap) and 26 1/2 to the center of the rear axle hooking the tape on the subframe like you did. My suspension is stock.

Thank you!

Seems that I need to look into shortening the fork o m bike,,,,

G22inSC · Post by **G22inSC** » 01:40 pm Mar 09 2017

The way of measuring in the initial post will not work correctly. The measurement on the forks (from bottom of fork to top of upper clamp) will be dependent on how far up/down the forks are in the clamps. I stand corrected...I re-read your post and noticed you were referencing the tube leg itself and not the top of the clamp. The two just happened to coincide in your case.

The rear measurement from the rear fender "brace" to the ground will dependent on the rear shock spring and amount of preload. These are not vary accurate forms of measurement if you are wanting to know if your suspension pieces have been altered in any way.

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 02:30 pm Mar 09 2017

G22inSC wrote: The rear measurement from the rear fender "brace" to the ground will dependent on the rear shock spring and amount of preload.

If the rear tire is off the ground when the measurement is taken the preload/sag doesn't matter though, unless I've understood you incorrectly.

Post by **KDXGarage** » 05:14 pm Mar 09 2017

You need to get someone with Kouba links or homemade links to measure his and report.

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 08:38 pm Mar 19 2017

Jason wrote:You need to get someone with Kouba links or homemade links to measure his and report.

I think the rear shock linkage is stock, here is a pic,

Post by **KDXGarage** » 10:21 pm Mar 19 2017

Perhaps you could also try to determine if your spring collars are in the same spot as most people with normal length suspension?

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 11:44 pm Jul 21 2017

So it turns out my "dog bone" linkage parts are notably longer than stock, which lowers the bike, the stock piece, from center of hole to center of hole, measures 112.5mm, mine measure 128mm, this is a HUGE difference, and accounts for about 3" of lowering, which is confirmed by my measurements and the measurements thaT=t JOHN_S posted.

you can make your own dogbones with 1/4" steel plate and a 15mm drill bit, which will be the cheapest option, but if I can get "the real part" quick from the local moto shop I'll do that...

I'll post some (non photobucket) pics if I make my own...

Post by **KDXGarage** » 08:42 am Jul 22 2017

WOW! That is a lot.

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 11:50 am Jul 26 2017

I got my 15mm drill bit from Amazon, and made my links. Stock is 112.5 center to center, I went 114.5 for just a touch lower than stock ride height, I then set the sag correctly (had to unload the spring two full turns) and the bike rides SO much better, better traction and I can lift the front wheel more easily, and the foot pegs are so much further off the ground, so my feet don't get punted off the pegs all the time now.

Post by **KDXGarage** » 12:10 pm Jul 26 2017

EXCELLENT. Thanks for the follow up information.

jackbombay · Post by **jackbombay** » 12:48 pm Jul 26 2017

No problem,I always like to "complete threads"!

To make my links I welded two pieces of 1/4" flat stock together, then center punched the locations of the holes, and drilled with a 3/16" bit, then a 3/8" drill bit, (this pic has 3/8" holes as I didn't have my 15mm bit yet) then drilled with a 15mm bit.

motogoalie1 · Post by **motogoalie1** » 04:22 pm Aug 06 2017

To hell with photobucket.
use imgur.

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