6 mm spacer

donlon · 02-09-2008, 11:02 AM

I just ordered some XX stuff from jaws, including the 6 mm spacer.

Is there any negative sideeffects on riding with this thing on ???

I have read that some had high speed riding problems with it, anyone heard of this ???

How about the sidestand ...will the bike lean down more with the spacer ??

/John

CanadianBird · 02-09-2008, 11:16 AM

Can't answer but I have been thinking about this. Has anyone installed a 6mm spacer on top of a Penske or Olhins?

tonyz · 02-09-2008, 11:47 AM

what's the purpose of this spacer?
t.

KiwiBird · 02-09-2008, 2:12 PM

Here's a mini-procedure I wrote ages ago. It's the best modification you can do to a Blackbird as handling and rate of turn-in are transformed without sacrificing stability. I've had mine on for 4 or 5 years. This is for a standard shock. Whether you need one for an after-market one depends on its dimensions. With respect to the side stand, the bike doesn't lean appreciably more. the only thing is that the rear tyre may brush the ground when it is on the centre stand depending on tyre profile or wear. This is no big deal.

Cheers,

Geoff

IrishXX · 02-09-2008, 2:35 PM

I'm running a 4mm spacer and found it easier to live with than the 6mm on a daily basis.

Better handling without sacraficing stability or centre stand clearance IMO.

But the mod is definately worth doing regardless what size spacer you use!

monsieurnet · 02-09-2008, 3:19 PM

I have put a shim stack under, you can get the shims from any auto parts store. They are body panel shims.
I have not tried it yet, but want to know why 4 not 6? why 6 not 4?
is there a loss of stability.

Canadian Bird if you want I have 2 shims sitting here on my desk ( I had to buy a minimum quantity)
if you want to try them out, let me know, I will send them to you via snail mail.
each is 3mm.
Mnet.

Venus97 · 02-09-2008, 3:52 PM

I have the 6mm shim, probably the easiest and cheapest thing one could do to improve the handling of the XX. It lets it turn in much easier.

I have not noticed any difference in high speed handling, but I've only had mine up to 115 since installing it.

I have not noticed anything negative since installing it.

Banshee · 02-09-2008, 4:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsieurnet

I have not tried it yet, but want to know why 4 not 6? why 6 not 4?
is there a loss of stability.

Over the years, people have tried many variations, 6mm is the point of diminishing returns. Basically, up to 6mm, the improvement is substantial, beyond 6mm there is no further noticable improvement.

IrishXX · 02-09-2008, 5:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsieurnet

I have put a shim stack under, you can get the shims from any auto parts store. They are body panel shims.
I have not tried it yet, but want to know why 4 not 6? why 6 not 4?
is there a loss of stability.

Canadian Bird if you want I have 2 shims sitting here on my desk ( I had to buy a minimum quantity)
if you want to try them out, let me know, I will send them to you via snail mail.
each is 3mm.
Mnet.

As said, 6mm seems to be the consensus as the point where high speed stability is noticable affected.

At 6mm, i found the rear wheel touched down on the centrestand and it felt a bit flighty IMO.
4mm was a happy medium for me!

But it is all down to the individual, some think the stock handling is fast enough while other thinks it heavy footed with the 6mm spacer installed.

The great thing about the mod is you can try out a particular size, if you don't like it, you can increase or decrease it.

flblackbird · 02-09-2008, 9:39 PM

6mm as well & I've had mine 160+mph w\no ill handling effects

CanadianBird · 02-10-2008, 10:35 AM

Thanks, Montreal, I'll just leave her as it.

RodeRash · 02-13-2008, 9:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianBird

Can't answer but I have been thinking about this. Has anyone installed a 6mm spacer on top of a Penske or Olhins?

Why bother? Aftermarket shocks are adjustable for length, which makes the spacer unnecessary.

ccriderXX · 02-19-2008, 5:51 PM

My Ohlins is not adjustable for length that I know of. It does have a spring preload adjuster though. I shimmed mine.

RodeRash · 02-20-2008, 9:00 AM

My mistake. Penske shocks are adjustable for length. You Ohlins guys need to add a shim.

jjmcjames · 02-20-2008, 10:53 AM

I made a 6mm shim and installed it along with new Hyper Pro fork springs and rear spring. The lean angle with the sidestand was too severe so I welded a block on the bottom of the sidestand. Handling was improved for me, although the rear tire will touch the ground with the spacer. The shim is easy to swap or remove.

TWEET · 02-20-2008, 1:56 PM

I have a 6mm spacer on stock shock and it is rock solid all the way to indicated 300km/h even for extended periods. I notice hardly any increase in lean when on the sidestand, that is of course unless you lean it on a downhill slope.
The rear tyre will touch the ground only when new whilst on the centrestand.

benwhite81 · 03-01-2008, 10:28 PM

Where can i get one of these marvellous shims in australia folks?

OMG · 03-02-2008, 1:41 PM

The local hardware store is the first place to start. The local Ace hardware has a spacer that is close enough to 6mm ,square shape, open slot, took all of 15 min. to install. Loosen the shock nut, slip the spacer in and tighten. By all means, check the nut once in a while.

Banshee · 03-02-2008, 7:17 PM

Or Bunnings etc, for a 10mm washer, just stack enough to get to 6mm.

Nutter67 · 03-02-2008, 11:59 PM

I had placed an order with Jaws for rad guards, fenda extenda, etc. I ordered a spacer at the same time. It cost a couple of bucks, but postage was covered with the other items.

fourx · 03-03-2008, 1:40 AM

best thing ever no problem at all 6 mm any speed at all love it

dad · 03-08-2008, 3:41 PM

Hi Kiwibird, made up a slotted spacer to your diamensions, all good, but looking at the shock (std Showa '99 bird) I'm not clear on where it actually goes. Your pdf attachment has me wondering where the slot slides into?
Can you or anyone who has done the job help?

ccriderXX · 03-09-2008, 5:13 AM

I put a shim on top of my Ohlins, but the top of the shock is the same as a stock shock. All you have to do is loosen the nut that is attached to the bolt end that is the top of the shock. The weight of the wheel will let gap open up between the top of the shock and the frame. You slide the shim between the top of the shock and the frame. I had to use a mirror to see this area just forward of the shock mount.

Once the shim is in, all you do is tighten the nut. I hope this helps. I've added a couple lines to the picture to show where the nut is. I also found a picture of a shock.

Shock Picture

dad · 03-09-2008, 5:57 PM

Hi CCRiderXX, Thanks mate, all too easy following your advice. Only thing to do now is try it out. Thanks for your help

Nutter67 · 03-27-2008, 2:44 AM

I fitted the shim last night at work (it was a little bit quiet) I didnt realise that it would be that easy to do.

I had seen some instructions somewhere saying to remove the battery and battery tray for access to the rear of the shock. DON'T DO IT THIS WAY.

I found I had easy access from the engine side of the shock. I undid the shock nut just enough to slip the shim in place (past the lip) and did everything back up. Job complete.

It has been raining for the past couple of days so I cant get out and see what she is really like now.

JeffC · 04-03-2008, 5:21 AM

Found a bit of aluminium in the shed yesterday. Only 5mm thick so I thought, what the heck, lets make a shim.
Took all of 10 minutes to make and another 10 to fit.
Let me tell you, it is the best 20 minutes of work that I have ever done.
The bike turns in soooooo much easier and is also a lot easier to change direction. Even the good wife is very impressed with it which is excellent seeing as how it's 'her' bike.

Another small plus from her point of view is that it is a bit easier to put on the centre stand.
Yet another good piece of information gleaned from this excellent forum.