Ohlin shocks are here, courtesy Howard at Motorcycle Metal, waiting for the snow to clear! I now have pretty well everything I need, just have to complete a few modifications so I can start the build.

 

The one recommendation I would have on this conversion is to use a brimbo rear brake off an 08-10 model. These are a two piece design and makes tire changing a breeze compaired to the one you have. I replaced mine and thank myself evertime I have to remove the rear wheel. I replaced the master cylinder also, but you should not have to. I have a detailed write up on this and if you are interested in it email me at lkingen@gmail.com and I will send it.

 

does anyone know if the air shocks off of a 2010 will fit on on 06 the newer ones hold more air and give a firmer ride.

 

This thread has moved on from using factory shocks, to fitting Ohlins from Motorcycle Metal. If you are not happy with your current shocks I suggest you search this Touring forum for 'Ohlins' and read up on them!

Many thanks 03dragonRK, I've sent an email.

 

I agree 100% and I have the blue prints and spacer measurements to do this. You need to be able to remove the rear caliper and clean them out with brake cleaner and a tooth brush in the case of using OEM or sintered brake pads. How to do this cleaning step by step is on my DIY page. They are a much better design just for the bracket.

 

Some progress at long last! My modified True-Track bronze swingarm bushes are done and fitted, so I have installed my 'new' 2007 swingarm in the bike, along with my shiny brand new Motorcycle Metal Ohlins. Why do photos make things look dirtier than they seem to be?!

However I have also hit a snag. I have discovered the swingarm of later bikes is slightly longer than early Evos, so the wheel axle won't go through the wheel with my current drive belt. The wheel is about 3/8" too far forward in the frame. Having discovered this, I have uncovered that later bikes have a belt three teeth longer, so I am now faced with replacing the rear belt, which I hadn't planned to do just yet.

I have also proved that my 150/80 Avon Venom will not fit with my 1 1/2" wide belt! There just ain't room for both, so when fitting a longer belt I will be going to a later spec narrow one (as used on the 2007 bike my 'new' parts came off). The explanation is that when spacing out the pulley on the hub, to create room for the belt to miss the tyre, the pulley hits the swingarm! So if the belt was long enough, I would still be stuck.

And to add insult to injury, I bought a Harley floating disc with a pretty pattern of holes in it, which I have found exposes the internals of the hub if fitted! So I have made a couple of steps forwards, but been set back several.

It's been a good day, but....

Added later:

One reason for the problem fitting my 150/80 Avon into the bike is the actual widths of the two tyres. Avon claim their 140/90 is 143mm wide, with which I got about 3/16" clearance between tyre and belt. They claim their 150/80 is 150mm fitted, which led me to believe it should just squeeze in the bike, with a thin spacer behind the rear pulley to guarantee tyre/belt clearance. When I built the new wheel things didn't add up, I found that my 140/90 is actually 139mm wide and the 150/80 actually 153mm wide. Essentially I 'lost' 7mm! I had to fit a thicker pulley spacer than I initially planned, which has proved more than there is room for.

 

You're swapping out the wrong rear end parts!!You just need a eighteen year old on the back!

 

Damn! Got my nose so close to the grindstone I didn't see that as a possibility....