Rear shock question

[nosno]

Can you take a stock shock off a 86-87 stock 250r quad and put the shock on a stock 88-89 250r quad and vice versa? Didn't know if there were any differences for sure.

[wilkin250r]

I think the shocks themselves are roughly the same size, and will physically fit, but will not perform identical. Swingarm length and linkages differ between the years.

[Rich250RRacer]

They will interchange but they are different lengths. This will alter ride height. The link from the swingarm to the shock is also different on an 86, it is longer than the 87-89 models. The 86 link is longer to compensate for the longer shock on that model. The 87 shock is a little shorter, I believe about 1/4-1/2 an inch. The 88-89 is shorter yet but uses the same link as an 87. The ride height remains about the same because of the shorter swingarm on the 88-89 models. An easy way to solve this is to buy an adjustable link and then set the ride height accordingly.

[xlr810]

I've ran 86, 87, 88 oem rear shocks on my 86 TRXR with no problems. All bolt right up, and the change in ride height and shock performance is negligible.

Now I'm running an Ohlins rear shock. I just broke the spring on it though!! Any of you have a spring that would work on it-- I'd appreciate it.

Aftermarket shocks for the most part are not built specifically for one year or another-- they are all interchangeable. I speak for stock linkage and stock swingarm quads only...