GT Thunder XC Rear Linkage How TO

[ricks450]

Hey guys, I just ordered the GT Thunder XC Linkage for my 400. (I've got a stock swing arm and shock). I put it on and shock spring hits the swing arm right behind the swing arm bolt dead in the center when You pick up the back of the bike. Extending the swing arm to full travel. It wouldn't bother if it barely hit it but it bends the shock shaft. Just wondering if anybody has ran into this before and what u guys have done? Thanks Rick.

[exracer416]

are you sure everything is on properly?? just double check u may have over looked something

[Gibson]

i have a GTT XC link with a stock swingarm and shock and everything works fine for me. i know its hard to see from these pics but here's how mine is installed

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk34/crg10493/100_1165.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk34/crg10493/100_1171re.jpg

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk34/crg10493/100_1173re.jpg

[bigd's ex]

Thinking of getting one myself. How much difference did it make with stock swingarm and shock? Thanks !!!!!!

[billyboy93]

what does the link do?

[Gibson]

bigd: it rides much smoother and it lowered the quad just a tad and it gives you about two inches more travel in the rear. I felt a big difference in how it handles too. but if you're over 145 pounds, you'll probably have to have your shock revalved cause its sort of on the soft side for me and i'm 120 pounds.

billyboy: the linkage is made to provide more travel, improve how the suspension feels, and lower the quad.

[smithersusmc]

I have the XC Link. Sounds to me that you have it installed backwards. Remove it and Flip it around. It should turn up where connects to the frame.

I could be wrong.

I love my GT Thunder suspension.

[mitchamus]

don't forget to space out your exhaust or it will hit the caliper and dent n crack it. Also raise you airbox so you do not smash it on the singarm. and you may need to bend the subframe since it may it the sprocket bolts.

[ricks450]

It is put on just like the picture above. Its a 05-400ex completely stock besides the XC linkage. It sits on the ground fine plenty of clerance. But if u pick up the back bumper tell the tires are off the ground the spring hits the middle of the swing arm on mine. Called one of GT Thunder Tech guys and they said it suppose to hit there. He said the MX linkage does it even worse. From the top of the back bumper to the ground with the stock linkage it read 31-1/2 inches. With GT Thunders XC linkage it drop to 28-7/16. Thats a good amount of drop made the bike handle alot better. But if you jump alot its going to hit and premature wear-out the shock. Do not like that it does this. I won't be putting it on my 450r Just my opinion. So none of you guys are having this problem?

That seems weird to design something than hits. hows does hat affect your shock if you jump and your spring smashes into the swingarm?

[ricks450]

If it barely hit I wouldnt worry about it but its enough to make the rod flex right before full stroke . Causing it to put pressure to one side of the dust seal making it wear out faster allowing dirt to
get in the shock and wearing out the other seals inside. Also It might be tring to pull the piston sideways in the shock body. It might be ok and last along time. I dont know for sure but I will find out on the 400ex. (its actually my buddys 400ex.) I just dont like the looks of it. And I want my stuff to work like it suppose to. Meaning making full travel and clearing everything.

I cant imagine the MX link doing it more since it isnt as deep of a bend compared to the XC

[ricks450]

Originally posted by FlewByU352
I cant imagine the MX link doing it more since it isnt as deep of a bend compared to the XC


I dont know I was thinking about getting the MX link for my 450r until the GT Thunder tech said that it is worse. I guess u never to u try it ur self and see. I know one thing I wish I did know cause 4 the money and the way it makes it handle thats the way to go.

[BossHogg420]

did u take the white plastic piece off the swingarm....gt thunder designed the link to complement their revalue and resprung shocks..i have both and no problems with rubbage. u might have issues b/c ur running the stock shock...not the link its self. I've been running both since sept 08 and would never go back to stock suspension.

[ricks450]

Yea I took the white plastic protector off on the swing arm. When u got ur shock resprung by them is it a smaller spring (wouldnt make any sence) just asking though. or the actual coil spaced differant from the factory spring? Whats the differance in the spring itself? just trying to make this work without grinding a 1/8 inch out the swing arm. If not it just will have to hit.

[slocalduner]

does everything still hit if you have the whole shock redone or only when the shock is stock?

[slocalduner]

does everything still hit if you have the whole shock redone or only when the shock is stock?

[Gibson]

i'm running the stock shock with mine and it comes about 1/8" from touching my swingarm, but it doesn't touch it. Sounds to me like something MIGHT be bent already, don't hold me to it but that might be your problem

[ricks450]

GT Thunder XC Linkage - mounted on bike
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/robynw1028/DSC03399.jpg

Sitting on bike
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/robynw1028/DSC03394.jpg

Off bike - bike just sitting with no weight on it
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/robynw1028/DSC03391.jpg

Bike is being picked up - wheels in the air
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/robynw1028/DSC03392.jpg

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/robynw1028/DSC03393.jpg

[Gibson]

that's how mine looks except for the last two:ermm: i dont know whats up with that man

[Young_Gun1]

it looks like the shock is just touching to me
maybe their machine drilled the hole in the wrong spot or something
maybe some one with the same link would be willing to measure from bolt hole to bolt hole for a comparison

[Gibson]

Originally posted by Young_Gun1
it looks like the shock is just touching to me
maybe their machine drilled the hole in the wrong spot or something
maybe some one with the same link would be willing to measure from bolt hole to bolt hole for a comparison

i'll measure the bolt holes when i get home, cause i have the same linkage but my shock doesn't touch my swingarm at all. i'm curius to what's causin this

Originally posted by ricks450
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u88/robynw1028/DSC03399.jpg

Is that a SI in the background?

[Flynbryan19]

You should give GT Thunder a call. That is not right and you should not ride it that way.

[ricks450]

Originally posted by Gibson
i'll measure the bolt holes when i get home, cause i have the same linkage but my shock doesn't touch my swingarm at all. i'm curius to what's causin this

Yea me to, I appreciate it man. I think the holes are off. We will see.

[ricks450]

Originally posted by FlewByU352
Is that a SI in the background?

95 civic ex coupe with SI rims. complete JDM B16 swap, GSR tranny, Integra disc brake conversion. Just ordered tokico adj. shocks, energy suspension master bushing set. Gonna handle like crazy.

[Gibson]

alright i just measured and it's 2 5/8" from center to center of these bolts.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk34/crg10493/100_1165r.jpg

[ricks450]

Thanks man, My buddy wont answer his phone. So I will measure it tomorrow. Ill let you know.

[Gibson]

no problem. you have any pics of the whole quad? :D

[ricks450]

No, I will take some tomorrow and post them though. I tried the other day when I took pic's of the shock but it was to dark.

[ricks450]

Measured 2 7/8. I knew it wasnt right. Thanks for measuring yours man. Hes going to call GT Thunder tomorrow. I forgot to take a pic of his bike will see him sat. ill take one then.

[Gibson]

no problem at all, i'm glad i could help you. hard to believe that they drilled the hole in the wrong place though

[ricks450]

Yea I know. I also noticed on it, is that on one of bolt holes the bearing seals wont all the way in, wasnt flush with the linkage like the rest of them. I tried to press it in and it wouldnt. the seal slots werent cut deep enough for the seal.

[Gibson]

that isnt right at all:confused:
seems like they got in a hurry when they made that linkage. Mine was perfect when i got it, and everything bolted right up.

[Young_Gun1]

glad to know i could help
kinda sad that their quality control will allow that bad of mistake to happen though

[ricks450]

Originally posted by Young_Gun1
glad to know i could help
kinda sad that their quality control will allow that bad of mistake to happen though

Your guess is good as mine. I have know idea. Thanks

[iflyhigh122]

I have the same problem. I got my stock shock revalveld an resprung by GT with there XC link and the spring hits the swing arm. Anyone know whats up? Do I need a new link?

[iflyhigh122]

Anyone?

[moshachusetts]

what ever became of this? mine also measures 2 7/8 and the spring rubbed but all i had to do was turn the spring.

my problem is that i have 6 inchs of sag when i should only have 4 to 4.5 inchs

[treadway47025]

SO how have you spaced your airboxes? Pics of subframes modded for clearance? Does anyone sell a spacer kit for the 400ex airbox like they do for the 450r?