Topic: Progressive rear shocks

[thenewbie]

I took my old shocks off my 550 today and tried fitting my progressive shocks. The bottom mounting bolt was much to short to be able to use safely so I will have to get something longer. Does anyone know what grade of bolt I should be getting? And their also seems to be a lot of clearance between both the top/bottom shock assembly mounts and the swingarm mounting bushings/frame studs. I haven't measured it yet or anything but when I put the top mounting nut on it gets all the way to end of the threads on the stud. In the installation instructions it says their should be some clearance and that their should be some noise from the rear of the bike for the first few miles but it should go away. Thoughts?

[bjbuchanan]

If you are unsure just go grade 8. the negligible price difference doesn't justify any less

Grade 8 is usually par for the course with suspension

[thenewbie]

Should I be concerned with the extra clearence betweeen the top mounting nut and the top shock assembly mount or does the pivot mount on the swingarm provide enough means of keeping the swingarm straight?

[bjbuchanan]

The swingarm should be held firmly in place by its pivot. If you have play you need bushings for it. I dont want to come across as misleading like a shock mount isnt important but a washer or something to snug it up is about all you need to worry about