MC5 Rear Shock Length

[G Ellis]

Can someone tell me the eye to eye length, of the rear shocks on a MC5. Thanks G Ellis

[Kip Kern]

The set of Marzocchi's on the 400 I have in the shop are 13.5" center eye to eye.  Black spring #2's

[tlanders]

On my 1978 MC5 it is 13.62" or 346mm as per the parts book.

Teddy

[Big Mac]

I'm in need of some heavier Marzocchi springs on my 77 400 I recently brought back to life. Haven't asked Al B about them yet, but any other spring sources you guys know of for the stock 13.5" Marzokes? Mac

[tomale]

Yes I would like that as well, My MC5 250 has the same problem. I never realized what a problem it was until I tried the same shocks on the 78 and all of a sudden the bike just felt right and I had confidence to let it fly. I think the difference has to do with the angle of the shock on the 76/77 verses the 78 which is much more upright. None the less I will need a stiffer set of springs for the 250

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5

[Larry Perkins]

Try Cosmopolitan Motors they might have some Zoke stuff yet.
Larry

[Kip Kern]

Joe at Cosmo was selling the last of the Ceriani/Marzocchi stuff at Mid Ohio.  $50 a pair!

[DKWRACER]

I have a set of black springs for 13.5 rears..too stiff for me @ 135lbs.
Tom....

[tomale]

Thanks Tom, how stiff are they? are they stiffer than the stock springs. If so, do you have any idea how much stiffer? both Mac and I have a set a stock springs. that I am sure are too soft. Mac and I are both big guys. In my case it is a Dunlap problem but I am working on changing that tire. The problem that I have run into is that each company uses a different color code and I have no idea what they all mean.
Since Mac asked about them first I will let him have first shot at them.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5

[G Ellis]

Thanks for all the help on the shock length.

[tlanders]

When I put the classic Ohlins on my Mint 400, the lightest spring they had was too stiff for my 160 pound body. Kent Knudson recommended I go to Eibach Spring Company. They did have lighter springs for the Ohlins, they might be able to help you. I worked with a guy named Toby Hirsch at (800) 222-8811 extention 139. Good luck.

Teddy

[DKWRACER]

Seems to me that a fair number of rears had purple springs, which I have been running with good results, so could it be reasonable to say that the purple ones would work for riding weight up to 150 lbs.?
The black ones that I have are stiffer and I could barely budge them, me @ 140 riding weight, so the blacks appear to be for heavier weight riders, I would be willing to trade for a new set of foot pegs for 74 from Al B....I ship springs direct, and you ship direct from Al???
Any thoughts?
Tom..........

[DKWRACER]

OOOOPS, I forgot to mention where these springs came from:
Earlier this year I helped Bob Garner build a new 77 GS 400 racer, Bob is at 220 lbs. and I was keen on how the chassis performed, as you know, that chassis is the large backboned model that is heavier overall. After our last race, I asked him what it felt like, he said PDG...That MC is now a part of my collection and has been refitted with the softer purple springs....Hope this helps!!!!
Tom.....

[tomale]

That does help the springs on the bike were the purple ones and I took them off because one of them was broken. so It sounds like the black ones would be better. Let me talk to Mac before I commit myself to this because after all he has first dibs.

Thom Green,Still crazy after all these years!
76' 250 MC5 (orginal owner)
78' 400 MC5