3-3s are 13 1/4" with the adjuster fully extended, 12 3/4" fully collapsed, prolly gained like 29/64" plus a few thousandths at the saddle.

 

It is not that simple! Stock shocks have around 2" of travel while the Ohlins we are talking of here have around 3". If the sag on both is correctly adjusted (admittedly not possible with stock shocks), compressed length of 13" stock shocks would be around 12.3in, with 13" Ohlins it would be 12". Which is the lowest to sit on?!

Penskes cost much more than Ohlins. However they are the brand Howard offered us before he took up with Ohlins.

 

The externally adjustable Penske are the same price as the Ohlins #3. both are right around the 975+ range before any discounting(if any). It's just most people , myself included, don't associate Penske with 2 wheeled shock absorbers. Both companies produce very high quality units.

 

I wonder if those Penske prices are up to date! When I first discovered Motorcycle Metal, they were all Howard offered and it doesn't look as if those prices have moved. I checked Penske's website at the time and they were racing car shocks, that Howard adapted for us. When I spoke to him to order my shocks I asked about the Penskes, which were a lot more expensive than my #3-3 at the time, and he reckoned they were of similar quality.

 

Howard is pretty good at keeping his prices on his site up to date, LOL !!!!! Seriously though once you get to the top of the heap there usually isn't much difference, performance or price wise. Couldn't go wrong with either, at this level I know I have usually run out of talent before I run out of shock!!!!

 

Anyone know when the best time to call Howard is? I'm ready to order

 

From my experience, pretty much any day and time. If he doesn't answer, leave a message. He's very good at getting back to you.

 

thanks
I hate to bother him on the weekend. I'm sure he needs a break too

 

most times he enjoys talking on weekends because he is so busy during the week

 

9:30pm Saturday night. Lots of rain and no where to go in the rain. I do not use a car to go out, know what I mean? Don't seem natural.

I guess I can address a few posts here but you guys are doing really well all by yourselves.

Measuring & calculating length in the box V/S on the bike. Not the same!

1. qtrracer & bigdaddy33 shocks are both 13 1/4" but qtrracer has the #2~#3 which is 337mm/13.267" (about) 13 1/4" long but has a 104 mm/4.094" stroke ÷ 3 = 34.666 mm/1.364" = Riders sag and the shock would than be 337 mm (-) 34.666mm = 302.334 mm/11.90" ¢ to ¢ of mounting bolts. These shocks are non-height adjustable.
2. bigdaddy33 #5~#2 which is 336mm/13.228" (about) 13 1/4" long but has a 98 mm/3.858" stroke ÷ 3 = 32.666 mm/1.286" = Riders sag and the shock would than be 336 mm (-) 34.666mm = 303.334 mm/11.942" ¢ to ¢ of mounting bolts. These shocks are height adjustable by 10 mm more extended. As you can see a 13" shock is not 13" when you are sitting on the bike.

The reason why we direct the happy owner of the great shock to set the riders sag using the 1/3rd method is because we are setting the piston inside of the shock body so the spring is neutral (weightless) at that point. Gravity - spring strength = piston position. The owner sets the shock height.

We use the 1/3rd ratio so when the rider sits on the bike and rides down the road and when the rear wheel goes into a depression, the wheel hugs the pavement (traction) and falls down but the frame is separated by the shocks and the frame moves very little. Ohlins & Penske make racing shocks and they are made for one reason, traction! My clients say that their bike is very smooth and the bike handles much better.

Other lesser shocks can not do this because the shocks are just not "strong" enough to control the stroke under riding conditions. A great shock such as Ohlins or Penske can not possible bottom out as they are adjustable internally. If the client wishes a road shock, the shock is valved for that application, the same goes for off-road, the reason why the #2~#3 was made for and raced in the mid 1970's for motocross and won many championships.

It is now 10:37pm, ya still doing motorcycles, sort of. Tomorrow I must work also on Jay Risks front end (keeps on calling giving me suspension tips).