Fitting longer shocks

[RobinSF1]

I need to replace my Marzocchi piggyback shocks. These are 320mm long, I have read on the forum that 312mm was the length of the OEM shocks.

I have been very pleased with the ride and price of NJB Ultimate shocks which I fitted to a Laverda 750, but the shortest length for these is 330mm.

Going from 320 to 330 doesn't seem a major change to steering and I would still (just) have rear wheel clearance on the centre stand (new 110/80 bt46). However going from 312 to 330mm does seem significant and possibly too much.

There has been a 30 year interval since I last rode a 500 with OEM shocks and these were new, I can't say whether or not the extra 8mm I currently have affects handling.

Has anyone else had experience with longer shocks?

[Steve Brown]

Just today I removed a set of 320mm Marzocchis from my 500 Sei-v and replaced them with a pair that were only marginally shorter, say 5mm by mk1 eyeball guesstimate. The bike does feel more stable already! I think you will definitely notice the difference if you went as much as 330mm, and not in a nice way unless you like really quick, twitchy steering. Conversely, I have a set of 320mm shocks on my 350 sport which is definitely more than standard and makes it very nimble at places like Cadwell trackday. You do notice a little more wriggling when making progress, never enough to be a problem though. It all depends on how you want to ride the bike and whether you're ok with your rear wheel still being on the ground when the bike is on the centre stand.

[RobinSF1]

Thanks Steve, just the experience needed. Time to look around the limited range of short shocks. I note Hagon are often mentioned on the forum. Not sure how much they have been developed since the 1980's Girling gas which I fitted back in the day to a Honda.

[George 350]

Hi Robin,

Whilst I don't have a 500, I have Hagons on 3 out of 4 of my bikes including my Sport. Really like them as they seem to really suit the Morini and last well.
I can suggest that you don't go longer, simply because you might find that the chain will start eating into the swinging arm at the engine end, and also into the frame brace below the swing arm pivot point. Longer shocks certainly allow this to happen on the earlier 350's as I have been there and have the t-shirt.

Hope this helps your decision making.

Regards,
George

[RobinSF1]

Thanks George

[julianharty]

I'd recommend buying YSS shocks, possibly those listed for R45 would work as well for you as they suit my New York (see http://www.morini-riders-club.com/forum ... =11&t=7065 for details). They're softly sprung for the New York where the rear suspension is more angled than on the 500 road bike.

[RobinSF1]

Thanks Julian, I see that YSS offer different springs too. I would probably need stiffer ones as I'm a big lump.

[simonnorthroad]

If you can stretch to it, Id thoroughly recommend Shock Factory shocks over the primitive Hagons.
https://shock-factory.co.uk/content/10- ... -absorbers
Custom-made in the UK to suit the weight of you and your bike combined, superb quality, light, masses of preload and damping adjustment, rebuildable and still cheaper than Ikon/Koni Dial-A-Rides

[keunen3406]

Hi all I'm new to Morini's and have a 1976 350 Strada albeit with a 501 engine. Can anyone confirm the standard rear shock length - centre to centre?
Thanks very much.
Vic

[George 350]

Hi,
I suggest you aim for 300mm shocks. I do have a pair of original Marzocchi's st home, but won't be able to confirm length until next weekend, but I'm sure they are 300mm.
Regards
George

[mbmm350s]

Hi,
My standard Marzocchis on 350 1978 are 300mm
Mark