Topic: Curious question on lowering blocks

[b1jackson]

I rescued these off an older model 550 chopper sort of bike.  It had forks that were an extra 6 inches long and these lowering blocks on the rear stock shocks.  I have seen them used on a guys 750 before because he was abit vertically challenged.

I've decided to try them on a 550 project bike I am fixing up.  Mainly for the look, and it's a bike I'll likely be selling but if I like them and I don't feel they mess handling too much, where can I find another set?  Were they a period aftermarket part that no longer exists?  It looks like they drop the rear about 2 inches.  Yes....the inner fender liner may rub on big bumps.  I set the shocks to the mid range for stiffness.

I'd hate to sell them on a bike only to be then searching like mad for a set for my other 550.

[seanbarney41]

I have not seen them available new anywhere.  But that said, I just sold off a couple sets that I had accumulated over about the past ten years.  I would say they were a fairly common aftermarket addition back in the day, so sets are still out there. 

Keep in mind, that the increased angle of the shock also reduces the amount of leverage on the spring, so your shock will be stiffer overall.  So even though the wheel is moved closer to the inner fender, there will be less travel.

[MikeSimon]

Many of the ones I have seen were homemade. They are a simple chunk of metal and easy to make.

[DV Red Herring]

I have a set of those on mine. My shocks are set stiff as well. I have shorter forks as well. I don't really notice any adverse effects on handling, but then I haven't ridden a stock height bike in a long time.

[Gordon]

I had a set on my 550 for a while and hated them.  They made it ride like a hardtail. 

[754]

I don't know if it's the axle, or wrong spacers in the swingarm, but it's not far enough into the threads, and that's unsafe.
 As for the bocks, I have seen at least 3 styles,  usually not homemade and I ran them for years, and had no problems.

[seanbarney41]

Oh yeah...B1, I'm assuming you just dont have your axle nut torqued up and cotter pinned?

[b1jackson]

Haha. Just making you guys look!  Rear axle nut isn't tightened.  Bike is currently on the operating table in restoration mode.

If anyone has a spare set of blocks they'd sell me fire me a PM.  550 or 750 (if there is a difference).   No matter.  I have a few of each bike

[evanphi]

These were one of the first things I took off my bike when I bought it. Super stiff rear end. Not fun on my local pothole ridden roads.