linkages?

[hartwill]

I know there's is a difference between 86/87 and 88/89 linkages. does any one know how to figure out which one I have? I have 86 frame but when I bought the shock I didn't know there was a difference so I didn't ask. also is it the whole linkage is different or just the dog bone?

[troybilt]

Hartwill, look at the cross compatibility chart thread page 2 has the differences bw. the years. See if that doesn't help you out. Otherwise I could get some measurements for you on my 89.

[hartwill]

that would be awesome. I will check that page out too. do you know the symptoms(lack of a better word) that I have the wrong linkage my ride height seems high and stiff. my front is the same but I know my front shocks are valved for +2s and I have stock length.

[muddymess]

the shock link and dog bone is the only thing different. the 86 is the longest dog bone with the longest shock. Not sure of the actual measurements.

[hartwill]

ok I see 86 is 1" longer makes sense shorter linkage pulls swing ARM closer higher ride height. thanks troybuilt

[troybilt]

With you and your gear sitting on it, have someone measure the distance from the frame to the ground just below the foot pegs and at the front motor mount, i.e. behind the lower aarm mount closest to you motor.

With an 88/89 linkage on an 86 setup I think it would sit high since the dogbone is shorter, ...still trying to picture that in my head.

[hartwill]

hang on shock lengths are different too?

[hartwill]

Originally posted by muddymess
the shock link and dog bone is the only thing different. the 86 is the longest dog bone with the longest shock. Not sure of the actual measurements. is this correct? if so they should be universal as long as you have the right linkage for hat shock. this doesn't sound right.

[muddymess]

the length of the dog bone was longer or shorter to make up the diffrence in shock lengths. im looking for the thread i found that has the info. i ran into this issue when i got an 86 shock for my 87 and seen the shock was a lot longer

[muddymess]

here is one
http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=333518&highlight=shortest+linkage

look at Rich250RRacer post

[muddymess]

btw i wouldn't think they where all universal since the shock was shorter on 88-89 but the dog bone was the same as 87. the difference was probably made up with the difference in the swingarm

[derby]

Originally posted by muddymess
btw i wouldn't think they where all universal since the shock was shorter on 88-89 but the dog bone was the same as 87. the difference was probably made up with the difference in the swingarm


As already mention the 88-89 is shorter. Here is a pic of the two to compare.

http://i32.tinypic.com/51zvwx.jpg

[hartwill]

so if I have 88/89 linkage now an switch to 86/87 dog bone it will probably sit too low due to the shorter shock? is there any way to fox this or do I have to buy a whole new shock setup?

[muddymess]

if you have an 86 shock and use the 87-89 dogbone you will site higher. To get the factory ride height you will need an 86 dogbone or get a a durablue adjustable one.

[hartwill]

the shock and linkage I bought together and I think the linkage is 88/89 so I can only assume the shock is the same year. so I guess I need to measure everything when I get home. now that I think about it though this swing ARM mounting hole for the linkage is a little different maybe shorter by 1/2 inch than my friends was on his 86 so maybe somehow one of us has an 87 swinger.