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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:23 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:26 pm
Posts: 1805
Location: Running Springs Ca
I want to install better shocks on my 72 H2. I used Hagon shocks on my last one. What is a good length? Bike has 12 1/2 eye to eye length now and
and I don't like how it sits low in the back. Switching to the stock length swing arm at the same time. The one that is on it now is a little shorter than
the 74-5 arm but longer than the early H2 arm.


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:33 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9826
Location: North Central NC
I have 14.2" Hagons on mine, Ron. I like them and the handling improvement from the higher rear, but it might not work as well for guys with shorter legs.

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:38 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:26 pm
Posts: 1805
Location: Running Springs Ca
I have a 36" inseam Jim, 6'4" tall. I have shrunk a little since I'm getting up in years :lol: Oh, and your all-in-one box
is working great, starts first kick. :thumbup:


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:42 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:37 am
Posts: 10460
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
I would go at least 14" I think I am at 15 3/4" now. But you get into need a protective nylon plate on the top of the swinger.

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 12:57 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9826
Location: North Central NC
67lotus49 wrote:
I have a 36" inseam Jim, 6'4" tall. I have shrunk a little since I'm getting up in years :lol: Oh, and your all-in-one box
is working great, starts first kick. :thumbup:


I wasn't accusing anyone. :lol:

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 24, 2017 5:08 pm 

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:06 pm
Posts: 1135
Location: Honolulu
I'm 5'8" and 13.5" shocks work great in terms of putting my feet on the ground and for handling.


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 1:41 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:26 pm
Posts: 1805
Location: Running Springs Ca
So I just installed a set of 14.2" Hagon shocks and the stock swing arm on my 72. With the 1" longer arm and short 12.5" shocks the bike rode like a cruiser. Tracked good in turns but steered slow, easy to ride at a slow pace. With the stock arm installed and the much longer shocks the bike now
feels like a 72. Nervous in the corners, doesn't feel like it holds it's line as well and steers quick. So am I feeling the shock length increase more so
than the shorter swing arm? So I decreased rake and trail quite a bit, the bike sets level now instead of dragging it's butt with the short shocks.
Guess I'm getting old, liked how the bike rode with the shorter shocks and longer swing arm but it looked terrible with the rear squat.


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:14 pm 

Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:06 pm
Posts: 1135
Location: Honolulu
If you don't have another set of shocks handy in 13-13.5 inch length, I'd try the longer swingarm.

Here's my recent experience, kind of apples + oranges compared to you. My H1 has an H2 motor. It has the stock H1 swingarm with 13.5 Koni shocks. It handles nicely for what it is - better than my H2 handles. It wobbles a little bit on the highway rain grooves, besides that I like it. I had been thinking of putting a longer swingarm on it but I am satisfied with the handling for now.


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:16 pm 
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Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9826
Location: North Central NC
You may find that you get used to the new handling and like it. Sudden changes can feel weird sometimes. I definitely like the handling improvement I got with the longer shocks, and of course I have a stock '72 swing arm.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.


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PostPosted: Sat Oct 14, 2017 5:04 pm 
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Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:37 am
Posts: 10460
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Heck the stock early H2 swinger is too long, I shortened mine 2".

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........


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