Ducati Monster Forum

Ok I finally attempted to install these risers after a couple of months having them. I've run into issues installing them. The front lower portion of the spring/shock hits the swingarm. Are the risers too tall? Even if I were to grind a 1/4" off my heim joints, they still look too tall and the spring perch would still hit the swingarm.   I'm pretty sure the spring shouldn't be hitting the swingarm, otherwise the suspension won't be doing its job.  With my heims joints already turned out a good bit, there is very little clearance between the spring and front of swingarm however it doesn't hit it.

What gives, can someone shed some light on this please.

When I added them, I had to make sure they were realllly right so they would be at the lowest position. Mine don't hit anything but the shock is really close to the swingarm as you described--but when I thought out it, that's with the rear completely unloaded while I was installing them. When there was weight back on the rear tire it cleared up even more.

I would grind a little off the heim joints (apparently there's a long length and a short length? --I guess I had the short) and it's a tight fit, but should work if everything's snug. Hope that helps

So you're telling me that I'll have to force them in, meaning when they are installed with the rear off the ground/unloaded that it will be touching the swingarm.  Then once I re-install the wheel and put it all back on the ground it will clear the swingarm and no hitting issues?? 

put up some pictures.

Year of bike?

I'll go out in the garage and see what mine looks like. I've got no issues with swingarm contacting shock.

I didn't have to force it, it was just very close, but I've only done it once (2000 M750). I did have to make sure the heim bolt's locking nut was screwed all the way down and that the bolt itself wasn't too long.

the bike is a 2000 M750.  I haven't cut down the heims yet because its the only pair I have and dont want to cut them for no reason if I'm still going to be facing the same problem and then I'll only end up with having a shorter heim joint and lower ride height   :(

Maybe it all works out different after they are cut, but after carefully measuring and comparing the current position of the heims already, it looks like the spring will still hit the swingarm.  I've got the bike suspended from the rear frame from the garage rafters, there's no wheel and I cannot force the swingarm down any further because of the spring hitting it.   Am I supposed to pull up on the frame instead?  Isnt that pretty much doing the same thing?    This sucks and its really getting frustrating. 


I will try to take some photos, just not sure where to host them.

i had the risers, but i removed them. i didn't like the crotch rocket feel. with my sargent seat, it kept jamming me into the tank. maybe if the riser were a little shorter maybe 20 or 25mm they wouldn't be that bad. i know i could cut them down, but i have my hands full with other goodies.

Louigi Moto had ones that were about 20-22mm - i suppose just under 7/8". Made from Billet Aluminum, looked really nice. Eonan has them featured on his blog (m900.blogspot.com)

Only problem, when I emailed Louigi Moto to get a set, they said they'd work up a cost with shipping to the US, and never got back to me. Even after an email or two...

alright, here's the update.  I cut 1/4" off my heim joints, then applied anti-seize to all the threads.  Installed everything into the hoop and applied some force down on the swingarm.  While pressing down on the swingarm, I could feel the resistance caused by the shock hitting it.  I managed to fit the heims into there mounting points.  Once in position and the bolt thru the mounting point and heim, I could see very minimal clearance, in fact I think the body of the shock is still touching.  The spring perch is not.  The bike is still suspended in the air and not back down on its tire yet as I'm still doing some work on the back end of the bike. 

When I finally drop it back on its rubber, will I achieve more clearance?  If I dont, then my rear suspension will not be doing its job correctly.  I think it will be like riding a rigid.

PS.  What is the torque spec for the bolt/nut which goes thru the ball joint?  Anti-seize or blue loctite?

thanks everyone for helping with this.  This forum is very resourceful!   [thumbsup]

Glad you got that thing together. Not sure about lock-tite or anti seize though. I'm not even sure if I used anything.

Do you know the torque spec for the bolt & nut that goes thru the heim joint?  Also would like to know when you put the bike back on its wheels did you gain more clearance of the shock touching the swingarm?

22-24 Nm, according to the haynes manual.
As far as clearance, if its not hitting now, you should get more clearance when you put weight back on it.  I don't remember how close it was when it was in the air, but I just looked and its less than 1/4" clearance now, no problems to date.  Hope this helps.

Cody

Voila!

(http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz255/samminaudo/Bikeshow2010081-1.jpg?t=1270700753)

Yahtzee!

yeah tell me about it....LOL!  However I still think my shock body is close or resting on the swingarm.  Will it clear once the bike is back on its tires?

Mine does without issue. The only difference is that I have the aluminum swingarm, and you appear to have the steel swingarm.

HIYO!!!  Nice work. Your set up looks identical to mine and I've had no issues with contact

I'll have to wait and see till I finally get it on the road and start riding.

+1

I'd like to get the alum. swingarm to save some weight and gain some bling, but not sure how much weight savings there actually is.

The weight difference between the steel and Al swingarms is essentially imperceptible, in fact, I think some of the Al swingarms are actually heavier than the steel ones, however, they do look nicer, and the Al arms are more rigid than the steel arms. If you really wanted a weight comparison I could do one for you, I've got 2 Al arms and a steel one in the garage.

Humour me.

Where can I get a set of these, I'm tall and want a higher bike. Also would it make sense to raise the front a little too to compensate, or don't mess with it?

Try raising the rear first.