I have removed all the preload just to get her back to stock height, I know I need a shock but what should I tell Elka about my concerns?

 

What kind of swingarm did you buy? If you bought it custom made from Ace Fabrication they will move the rear mount for free. Usually they ask if it needs moved.

 

It's an ODP, do ya think it's the location of the mount that's my problem?

 

Yes, some companies made the shock mount on the aftermarket DS swing arms way too far forward and too high, which in turn causes it to sit up high.

 

I am not positive but i do belive Ondunes was one of the company's that had to update the posistion on newer units the first ones were too hi on the swinger.

 

My + 4 ODP is several years old and the mount is inline and in the same location as stock, the extra length was added after the mount. My travel went from 11.5 to 13.25 (13.25 measured, 11.5 based on specs)

I do not remember if mine sat higher, as I have played with the sag alot since then.

 

Knowing that the zero preload design of an Elka rear shock lowers the DS by about 3 inches, should I have them build me a shorter shock in addition? What would y'all do in my shoes? Thanks!

 

Thats just it if you add 4" and leave the shock mount in the same place it will make the shock weaker.Maybe it won't hurt if you adjust it but the unloaded height is normaly higher.I have 5+s on my baby bikes But mine also has corrected mounts so the suspension hardly knows i did anything.

 

And 1882 im sure if the elka is three inches shorter than the stock once installed Then i would think that would be enough to bring you to an exceptable height.thats how i see it or am i missing something here???

 

If you move the lower shock mount or not, a longer arm will have more leverage unless you move the upper mount as well.

I prefer a stock location even on an extended arm as it keep the ratio through the travel the same as it was designed for. I was around 215 and running 5.5 in of sag in the rear and 4 in of sag in the front with me on it and it was a perfect balance for me. I can check the compression and rebound. setting if you want.

For myself I like the travel and ride I get with my stock shock and would not change the length unless I was more into just hillshooting.