It is awesome to watch a absolute Craftsman work with all the right tools to do a fantastic job. You sir have a very fine touch with your abilities. I onw a CX81 model with a worked 650 in it. I did not build the bike . A man named John Inkster who used to race built the bike.
I just spend a lot of time on Google looking for info on shock lengths, spring rates, adjustability, etc. I just read and spend the necessary hours to find something I feel may work. Then I just try it and then make necessary changes like shown in this video
This is awesome. Im building my first bike as well and was wondering what monoshock setup are you using? I am a little confused as to what i should get. Thanks!
This is a 98-02 Ducati 900ss rear shock. I've used Racetech to configure the spring rate needed and swapped on a different spring. Rejuve Motorcycles sells a great monoshock kit to make life easy. Definitely check them out
Hi, I have a very similar set up. It had a Kawasaki ER6 rear shock which looks horrible. I have just fitted a shock from an R1 but just with me pushing it down I can tell it's to soft. Do I need a new shock or a rebuild? Any advice would be grateful
Hey John, In this same video the entire topic is on sag and setting up the bike for the shock being compressed. In an early video of this build I replace the spring on the shock you see with a stiffer (higher rate) spring from Racetech. I provide their links here and explain about why I did that. The issue you get with the CX is that it is a "non-linked" monoshock which will need a very very stiff spring unlike an R1 or comparable modern bike which uses linkage in the rear suspension. The shock I chose here is based off of estimates length I would need, the preload adjustability, reservoir location, and mounting tabs. I fully expected to need to replace the spring. I hope that helps.
Do you feel that the reinforcing of the swing arm is necessary? I only ask because I have watched some other videos of the mono shock conversion on a cx500 and I didn't see them do that modification. I am about to start doing a similar build (forks/mono shock conversion) on the 1981 cx500C I just bought. Thank you for all the hard work and detail you are putting into this build and the videos! Keep up the good work!
Well the position of the lower shock mount leaves a ton of swingarm out back. The driveshaft side is a very thick tube and only a limited length before it bolts to the final drive whereas the left side is a very small diameter tube not designed for that force. The potential fail point is on the left. I cant give you any scientific evidence for this but it is my strong belief that you should attempt to brace the swingarm when possible. I've done some without the brace but I feel much more comfortable this route. Look at a gl500/650 swingarm for size difference since those are prolink.
@@BrickHouseBuilds thanks for the reply! I would love to convert it to a single sided swing arm, but I fear that I am already biting off more than I can chew with this being my first build. I do have a friend who is a master welder so I can bribe him with some beer to handle all the welding.
Not really about the angle as much as getting the lower mount as far rearward as is reasonable. Naturally it looks best as close to the frame as reasonable up top. The vertical placement is very important as explained in this video as that determines ride height accounting for sag
@@BrickHouseBuilds so if I’m understanding you correctly, the basic principle applied from the factory related to a dual shock set up doesn’t apply here. At least as far as how with the dual shocks, the measurements from the swing arm bolt to each shock mount, (top and bottom) is the same to keep things correct.
@@chrissnatchko7795 I'm not sure what exact principal you are talking about but the idea is leverage. The closer the lower shock mount is to the swingarm pivot, the more leverage the swingarm has on the shock. That means you need a stiffer spring to overcome that leverage. Getting the lower mount rearward as much as possible only helps. This is also a non-linkage style suspension setup requiring yet and even higher spring rate.
Hey Rico, all info you request is in this video and description: ua-cam.com/video/LJwTc6neC0E/v-deo.html I have a highly detailed playlist on the bike so all parts are linked in each video.
Do you know the spring rate? I don’t really understand the shock information and what I need, but I have a conversion kit from Rejuve but I’m not sure if a spring rate of 260n would work for a rider of 180/200 lbs
Well I worked with Racetech to get a spring for the geometry which I still feel is too light at 850lb/in. I believe the Rejuve kit uses an ER6 Kawasaki shock which is something like 900-925lbs/in. I've used those and they aren't bad but I still feel they are too light. You should try to contact a suspension company for information to what spring rate they suggest.
When I heard that song I was wondering if you were gonna sing or not!😂 made my night! Great work love this playlist.
Thank ya James!
It is awesome to watch a absolute Craftsman work with all the right tools to do a fantastic job. You sir have a very fine touch with your abilities. I onw a CX81 model with a worked 650 in it. I did not build the bike . A man named John Inkster who used to race built the bike.
Thank you much William I appreciate it! Sounds like a cool bike if it came from a racer!
Really appreciate the systematic approach. Top shelf.
Thanks Spencer!
Man did you turn on some light bulbs dude, thanks
Great Video. I am just starting to setup my project and this is really helpful.
My goal is always to make these videos helpful to other builders so I'm glad this one did just that!
Looking good, that's nice and tidy
Thanks Dan!
You are good i respact you cos i can learn from you ,i am working on my bike .goodonyoumate from malaysia
Well I'm glad the videos are helpful! Thank you
Looks great! How do you know what shock / spring is proper for bike ?
I just spend a lot of time on Google looking for info on shock lengths, spring rates, adjustability, etc. I just read and spend the necessary hours to find something I feel may work. Then I just try it and then make necessary changes like shown in this video
This is awesome. Im building my first bike as well and was wondering what monoshock setup are you using? I am a little confused as to what i should get. Thanks!
Just read about racetech. Let me go check them out
This is a 98-02 Ducati 900ss rear shock. I've used Racetech to configure the spring rate needed and swapped on a different spring. Rejuve Motorcycles sells a great monoshock kit to make life easy. Definitely check them out
Hi,
I have a very similar set up.
It had a Kawasaki ER6 rear shock which looks horrible.
I have just fitted a shock from an R1 but just with me pushing it down I can tell it's to soft.
Do I need a new shock or a rebuild?
Any advice would be grateful
Hey John, In this same video the entire topic is on sag and setting up the bike for the shock being compressed. In an early video of this build I replace the spring on the shock you see with a stiffer (higher rate) spring from Racetech. I provide their links here and explain about why I did that. The issue you get with the CX is that it is a "non-linked" monoshock which will need a very very stiff spring unlike an R1 or comparable modern bike which uses linkage in the rear suspension. The shock I chose here is based off of estimates length I would need, the preload adjustability, reservoir location, and mounting tabs. I fully expected to need to replace the spring. I hope that helps.
Do you feel that the reinforcing of the swing arm is necessary? I only ask because I have watched some other videos of the mono shock conversion on a cx500 and I didn't see them do that modification. I am about to start doing a similar build (forks/mono shock conversion) on the 1981 cx500C I just bought. Thank you for all the hard work and detail you are putting into this build and the videos! Keep up the good work!
Well the position of the lower shock mount leaves a ton of swingarm out back. The driveshaft side is a very thick tube and only a limited length before it bolts to the final drive whereas the left side is a very small diameter tube not designed for that force. The potential fail point is on the left. I cant give you any scientific evidence for this but it is my strong belief that you should attempt to brace the swingarm when possible. I've done some without the brace but I feel much more comfortable this route. Look at a gl500/650 swingarm for size difference since those are prolink.
@@BrickHouseBuilds thanks for the reply! I would love to convert it to a single sided swing arm, but I fear that I am already biting off more than I can chew with this being my first build. I do have a friend who is a master welder so I can bribe him with some beer to handle all the welding.
Great video! I will buy GL400
*U.S=cx500,Japan=GL400
Respect from Japan.
Thank you much! Love from the US!
Nice job brother.
Thank ya!
Hello 👋 Nice works…. Hey Can you please tell me what model and year of the gas tank?
The fuel tank is a CX500 deluxe model.
@@BrickHouseBuilds thank you bro
Where did you get the wheels from and did you have to supply them with a rear hub?
ua-cam.com/video/LJwTc6neC0E/v-deo.html
Everything is linked in the description.
Your girls a good sport.
How do you know what the proper angle to mount the shock should be?
Not really about the angle as much as getting the lower mount as far rearward as is reasonable. Naturally it looks best as close to the frame as reasonable up top. The vertical placement is very important as explained in this video as that determines ride height accounting for sag
@@BrickHouseBuilds so if I’m understanding you correctly, the basic principle applied from the factory related to a dual shock set up doesn’t apply here. At least as far as how with the dual shocks, the measurements from the swing arm bolt to each shock mount, (top and bottom) is the same to keep things correct.
@@chrissnatchko7795 I'm not sure what exact principal you are talking about but the idea is leverage. The closer the lower shock mount is to the swingarm pivot, the more leverage the swingarm has on the shock. That means you need a stiffer spring to overcome that leverage. Getting the lower mount rearward as much as possible only helps. This is also a non-linkage style suspension setup requiring yet and even higher spring rate.
What size rear tire and front tire and rear rim and front rim... thanks sir..
Hey Rico, all info you request is in this video and description: ua-cam.com/video/LJwTc6neC0E/v-deo.html
I have a highly detailed playlist on the bike so all parts are linked in each video.
What make and model did the rear shock coke from?
Hey John, the shock is from a Ducati 900ss with a spring from racetech as I explain in this. May still step it up on firmness still.
@@BrickHouseBuilds
Thanks
My one is from a Kawasaki ER6
@@bikefever3569 Yea thats a common shock to use as they are in the 900 lb/in spring rate
La batería de la moto...dónde la pusiste..?
In the tail. ua-cam.com/video/2cuXRS_zC_w/v-deo.html
@@BrickHouseBuilds muy bien!!!!
What shock did you use buddy
A Ducati 900ss shock BUT...the whole video is explaining why you can't use it out of the box. Check the description please
@@BrickHouseBuilds thanks bud. Who's is the one with the beige frame it looks great too
@@escapetothequinta I built that one as well. Also a customer bike
@@BrickHouseBuilds any videos on that build?
Just this one: ua-cam.com/video/5otPyE4lk_g/v-deo.html
I built that bike and many others before I started the channel
🤘🏻
Do you know the spring rate? I don’t really understand the shock information and what I need, but I have a conversion kit from Rejuve but I’m not sure if a spring rate of 260n would work for a rider of 180/200 lbs
I love your conversion... 🙌🏽🔥
Well I worked with Racetech to get a spring for the geometry which I still feel is too light at 850lb/in. I believe the Rejuve kit uses an ER6 Kawasaki shock which is something like 900-925lbs/in. I've used those and they aren't bad but I still feel they are too light. You should try to contact a suspension company for information to what spring rate they suggest.
Thank you for responding. They (race tech) sent me a link so I got some homework to do but I’ll try it.
@@briana.influentialworks5533 yup, the geometry sheet they give will allow them to plug your data into a rate calculator