Topic: Need some help trying to squeeze these shocks on.

[strangedaze39]

I picked up some replacement rear shocks for my CB350F, the old shocks came off without a hitch. And now I'm trying to install the new ones (from crc2, made for my bike so I know they are the right ones) I've tried putting the eye (top) bushing in first and then pushing the shock on and it was really hard to get on there, I MIGHT be able to hammer it on with a wood block and rag so I don't mess up the new shocks paint. I also tried first putting the bushings on the bolt and then squeezing the rear shocks over both the bolt and bushing. That was going no where fast as-well.

Any of you have some good tips for installing these or which method should I use to install these? Any info would help.

Thanks for reading, much appreciated.
-SD

[ieism]

What exactly doesn't fit?

If they are slightly too long you can compress them a little (like in a vice or with a clamp) and put a strap around the top and bottom. Like the kind of straps that you use to tie a canoe to the roof of you car

I managed to get shocks on my 550 this way that were well over an inch too long.

[strangedaze39]

I got them on, I just bored out the bushings a bit and they slipped on well. Probably could have done it without slightly boring the rubbers but didn't have nearly the strength or tools to do it.

You brought up a point I was just going to, these shocks are factory spec shocks but more "modern" in design. Here's a link to the exact shocks I bought. 
http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/Index_Main_Frame.htm

They are the very first ones 13.25"

They are almost an inch longer as well like you mentioned, maybe a little less then a inch but I had to lower my floor jack under the swing-arm to make the bottom clevis match up. I'm really tempted to say they are taller only because they are newer and the old shocks were just quite saggy after 35+ years.

When you mentioned you compressed the shocks to size, was that only for installing them? Or did it actually keep compressed like that?

So their are some hang ups' but I took it for a test ride and it rides SOOOOO much nicer. It's incredible the improvement they made. Instead of feeling every crack in the rode x10 it feels like a good normal bike suspension.

Thanks for the input ieism, any thoughts on why they are a bit taller I hope to hear.

ADDED: I also noticed the bushings are kind of pushing out of the sides of the eye, is this ok? It almost looks like it's slightly overflowing.

[ieism]

I think mine are permanently compressed  They are Koni's from a 750, so they are definitely too long for my 550. The weight of the bike and rider also compresses the spring with stock springs, so i'm not worried.

 figure if some people can ride a hardtail, i can get away with these shocks too.

There is not much comfort in riding this bike, but the bigger Koni's look better than the small ones.

[strangedaze39]

ieism, I might give that a shot and see if they stay a bit lower. Although when I look at the bike from a side view is seems like the front/back are sitting the same now. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if you took the shocks off a CB750. They CB350/400/450/500/550/750 should all have 13.25" shocks. They PO of your shocks could have just accidently or purposely bought slighty longer shocks...not sure.

Can anyone confirm compressing the shocks well affect the ride height for good?

[TwoTired]

I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if you took the shocks off a CB750. They CB350/400/450/500/550/750 should all have 13.25" shocks.
Can anyone confirm compressing the shocks well affect the ride height for good?

Shocks for the 550 are 12.5 long fully extended and 9 7/8" long when collapsed onto the rubber snubber.

Ride height is determined by the spring weight installed and the weight of the bike/load.

Unless your shocks are fitted with gas/air fittings, they will stay in whatever position the springs and weight applied place them in.

The shock portion damps oscillation and provides some resistance to swing arm movement.

Cheers,

[MJL]

ieism, I might give that a shot and see if they stay a bit lower. Although when I look at the bike from a side view is seems like the front/back are sitting the same now. I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if you took the shocks off a CB750. They CB350/400/450/500/550/750 should all have 13.25" shocks. They PO of your shocks could have just accidently or purposely bought slighty longer shocks...not sure.

Can anyone confirm compressing the shocks well affect the ride height for good?

Compressing just a bit to get them on? No, it won't. After all, the weight of the bike plus rider compresses them, and they bounce right back.