Ohlins

[wyly]

I was about to pull the trigger on CB1100F swingarm and rear shocks on Ebay today but was unsure if this was the best choice and use of my funds at this time. Am I wrong to improve the shocks before I look for a swingarm upgrade?

I've read a number of discussions on the forum as to what's the best option there's some differences of opinion, CB1100F, Pro-link, GS1100, and one from an early 2000's 650 Kawasaki( I can't recall the exact model) and Calfab(too expensive)...I long ago replaced the plastic bushing with brass and I'm running 130/80 tire with no issues, while a swingarm upgrade will allow me to have a larger tire to a 140 is that going to vastly improve the ride and comfort level I'm experiencing now?

I have a set of TEC shocks on now and while they're an improvement on the OEMs they're still not great...I see a lot of similar priced shocks on ebay but I may not be getting any improvement on the TEC's and wasting money...the Ohlins are pricey at $720 USD and I see pictures of a number of forum members with them on their bikes, they must know something ...am I wrong to get the best shocks I can first before a swingarm upgrade...I've also installed Racetec emulators and springs in the forks with great results(probably could still use a fork brace).

what's is the best immediate economical upgrade... Ohlins vs new swingarm + bigger wheels/tires?



this upgrade stuff never ends does it?...better this, better that, better, better, better

[desertrefugee]

Well, since I'm going through a Pro-Link arm upgrade to my '79, I can offer this. The shock mounts I just had installed on my Pro-Link arm appear to be around an inch higher than the mount point on the stock arm. That'll be functionally, aesthetically and ergonomically too tall in the rear. I've been shopping around for shocks while watching football. If the arm you go with changes the geometry, you might want to wait and see what (or if) those changes might be.

I believe the factory shock length is 13.5" eye-to-eye. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm looking for 11.5 or 12.5 (290 - 310mm) eye-to-eye. Not that common in black and less than $350...

[wyly]

Well, since I'm going through a Pro-Link arm upgrade to my '79, I can offer this. The shock mounts I just had installed on my Pro-Link arm appear to be around an inch higher than the mount point on the stock arm. That'll be functionally, aesthetically and ergonomically too tall in the rear. I've been shopping around for shocks while watching football. If the arm you go with changes the geometry, you might want to wait and see what (or if) those changes might be.

I believe the factory shock length is 13.5" eye-to-eye. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm looking for 11.5 or 12.5 (290 - 310mm) eye-to-eye. Not that common in black and less than $350...

thanks good info, good to know about pro-link height, kinda regret not putting a bid on the CB1100F swinger now, it went for $61 an hour ago

could a different tire aspect compensate a little for that height, in my situation instead of 130/80 which I have now I go with a 130/70?

the Ohlins I believe have a length adjustment but I don't know if there is enough adjustment to compensate for an inch increase...

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

Well, since I'm going through a Pro-Link arm upgrade to my '79, I can offer this. The shock mounts I just had installed on my Pro-Link arm appear to be around an inch higher than the mount point on the stock arm. That'll be functionally, aesthetically and ergonomically too tall in the rear. I've been shopping around for shocks while watching football. If the arm you go with changes the geometry, you might want to wait and see what (or if) those changes might be.

I believe the factory shock length is 13.5" eye-to-eye. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm looking for 11.5 or 12.5 (290 - 310mm) eye-to-eye. Not that common in black and less than $350...

Another thing you are going to have to consider besides the height of the shock mount is the eye to eye distance from the shock mount to the swingarm pivot.
Stock '79 distance is 18.25".
The GS1100 swingarm i am using is 18.5"

Shock angles/ratios are WAY beyond my pay grade.

I would contact Nils and see if Ikon has anything suitable.
https://www.restocycle.com/

[EMS]

Both the Prolink and 11F swingarm are a tad longer than the stock 79 arm. As the shock mount will move slightly back, you would need a slightly longer shock to attain the same rear height. Stock 79 shock length is 360mm ( The CBX is a metric bike!!!) If you use a longer arm plus a shorter shock, you fiddle with the geometry quite a bit! Your trail will increase by a good amount and the steering will become slower.
If memory serves me well, the GSX arm length is between the Prolink and 11F. Any swingarm change will require addressing the swingarm axle. The 79 CBX is the only bike in that club that had a 14mm swingarm axle. You will either need a sleeve to use the 14mm with the new arm or enlarge the hole in the frame to use the larger axle of the new arm.

From bottom to top:

Prolink
GSX
CB1100F
CB1300

[wyly]

Both the Prolink and 11F swingarm are a tad longer than the stock 79 arm. As the shock mount will move slightly back, you would need a slightly longer shock to attain the same rear height. Stock 79 shock length is 360mm ( The CBX is a metric bike!!!) If you use a longer arm plus a shorter shock, you fiddle with the geometry quite a bit! Your trail will increase by a good amount and the steering will become slower.
If memory serves me well, the GSX arm length is between the Prolink and 11F. Any swingarm change will require addressing the swingarm axle. The 79 CBX is the only bike in that club that had a 14mm swingarm axle. You will either need a sleeve to use the 14mm with the new arm or enlarge the hole in the frame to use the larger axle of the new arm.

From bottom to top:

Prolink
GSX
CB1100F
CB1300

I prefer to use a sleeve as I'm uncomfortable making changes to the Z that can't be undone, so which swing arm would you suggest and why?

[wyly]

Another thing you are going to have to consider besides the height of the shock mount is the eye to eye distance from the shock mount to the swingarm pivot.
Stock '79 distance is 18.25".
The GS1100 swingarm i am using is 18.5"

Shock angles/ratios are WAY beyond my pay grade.

I would contact Nils and see if Ikon has anything suitable.
https://www.restocycle.com/

beyond my pay grade as well, the Ohlins SX36 I've been researching do have adjustable length to make up for some swing arm differences....I'll let my mechanic do the final assembly and adjustment he's actually a suspension specialist having wrenched in the Superbike World Championship I just need to get the right parts in his hands...he took the Z out for a test after he fine tuned my carbs and remarked that it fell into turns a wee bit, he suspected the shocks may be too long, I measured them when I got home and he was right, 14" I had added a 1" spacer the shocks came with otherwise they would've been too short...I think at the time I was trying to compensate for the rear tire being 80 instead of the recommended 90...I wouldn't have thought such small differences would be noticeable but clearly in the hands of an expert they are...

[EMS]

I prefer to use a sleeve as I'm uncomfortable making changes to the Z that can't be undone, so which swing arm would you suggest and why?

The Prolink arm requires welding shock mounts. The CB1300 arm requires making it narrower to fit into the frame.
Both 11F and GSX arm fit with just axle sleeves and minor changes.

Whatever you can get your hands on easier. If both are the same to you, I would go with the GSX arm because of looks.
The 11F arm has the advantage of being easier to modify, if you want EXACTLY the same pivot-to-axle distance or overall length as the stock CBX arm.

[desertrefugee]

I absolutely agree about not making changes to the frame that cannot be undone. That's why on my Pro-Link conversion, I opted to use sleeves to compensate for the smaller pivot shaft. I'm almost there - all I need is a new 530 chain and sprockets!

Important Bits.jpg

Done.jpg

[desertrefugee]

Both the Prolink and 11F swingarm are a tad longer than the stock 79 arm. As the shock mount will move slightly back, you would need a slightly longer shock to attain the same rear height. Stock 79 shock length is 360mm ( The CBX is a metric bike!!!) If you use a longer arm plus a shorter shock, you fiddle with the geometry quite a bit! Your trail will increase by a good amount and the steering will become slower.

You're right, Mike, but as I noted above, the shock mount does increase the height of the clevis off the arm. I wanted a shorter shock to equalize that increase. It may only be an inch, but it'll definitely need to be compensated. With the 1100F swingarm, it is what it is. But the arm is steel and not aluminum. (Even the aluminum Pro-Link arm is surprisingly heavy).

[wyly]

I prefer to use a sleeve as I'm uncomfortable making changes to the Z that can't be undone, so which swing arm would you suggest and why?

The Prolink arm requires welding shock mounts. The CB1300 arm requires making it narrower to fit into the frame.
Both 11F and GSX arm fit with just axle sleeves and minor changes.

Whatever you can get your hands on easier. If both are the same to you, I would go with the GSX arm because of looks.
The 11F arm has the advantage of being easier to modify, if you want EXACTLY the same pivot-to-axle distance or overall length as the stock CBX arm.

now I really regret not putting in a bid for the 1100F swinger
agree the GSX is the better looking arm, just looking at the picture and not measuring it appears it would need a shorter shock is that correct?...any particular year of GSX?

[NobleHops]

If you do in fact determine that you need a shorter shock, the Ikon shock that we use for the DOHC 4s is an inch shorter than the CBX shock and otherwise fits perfectly. That said, we will make you ANYTHING you want, and it usually does not even involve up-charges as we can often mix and match stock components to make it all work. The Ikon 7610 in chrome body with black spring is $420 before the ICOA discount (10%). More chrome, covers, gets them as high as $580. They are fine shocks. Emulsion style, so not as suited to racing or riding at 8/10, but for general street riding I think they are an excellent value (I would ).

[desertrefugee]

Uhh, looks like I might be giving you a call soon, Nils. That sounds like a pretty good deal on the Icons.

[wyly]

the Prolink arm requires welding shock mounts. The CB1300 arm requires making it narrower to fit into the frame.
Both 11F and GSX arm fit with just axle sleeves and minor changes.

Whatever you can get your hands on easier. If both are the same to you, I would go with the GSX arm because of looks.
The 11F arm has the advantage of being easier to modify, if you want EXACTLY the same pivot-to-axle distance or overall length as the stock CBX arm.

would a 1991 SUZUKI GSX-R 1100 arm fit?

[steve murdoch icoa #5322]

That one is a monoshock.
You are looking for an '81-'83 GS1100E swingarm.
If you get lucky the '81 comes with a chrome chain guard that can be adapted.
Back to the GSResources for you.

Another option might be to join www.cb1100f.net.
A swingarm might turn up on their very active "for sale/wanted" section.