Soupy's adjustable links.......

[Pat Conlon]

Good deal Coop, when you get your shock mounted, connect up the shock linkage, except the dog bone links.
With your bike on the center stand, slip a strip of 1/2" plywood under your back tire, now take your center to center measurements for your dog bone links.
By doing this it will assure that, when on the center stand, you can still spin your back tire for chain lubing.

I have found (as others have) that the FJ's handling improves with a bit more loading on the front tire.

[rktmanfj]

Good deal Coop, when you get your shock mounted, connect up the shock linkage, except the dog bone links.
With your bike on the center stand, slip a strip of 1/2" plywood under your back tire, now take your center to center measurements for your dog bone links.
By doing this it will assure that, when on the center stand, you can still spin your back tire for chain lubing.

I have found (as others have) that the FJ's handling improves with a bit more loading on the front tire.

Exactly the way I did it, Pat!   

Side benefit is it's a LOT easier to get on the center stand, too.

[DB Cooper]

I have a piece of plywood under it now to mimic the same height I had previously, roughly 5/8 to 3/4. With quick a mock up, it looks like my dog bones c to c will be about 125 mm. 
Speaking of loading the front up a little - when I put in the RT emulators (just before Randys valves were available  ), I did the GSXR mod, added Michelin Pilots and raised the forks about 10 mm. The transformation in the the bike was remarkable to say the least. I'm looking forward to even a little more now with the F4i shock.

[movenon]

I have a piece of plywood under it now to mimic the same height I had previously, roughly 5/8 to 3/4. With quick a mock up, it looks like my dog bones c to c will be about 125 mm. 
Speaking of loading the front up a little - when I put in the RT emulators (just before Randys valves were available  ), I did the GSXR mod, added Michelin Pilots and raised the forks about 10 mm. The transformation in the the bike was remarkable to say the least. I'm looking forward to even a little more now with the F4i shock.

Pay some attention to your chain adjustment when you are done.  I had to loosen my chain up beyond what Yamaha spec's.  Also just because you can,  before you install the dog bones take a bottle jack and run your swing arm up and make sure your rear brake line will clear and check out the muffler/swing arm clearance on the right side.
George

[rktmanfj]

Pay some attention to your chain adjustment when you are done.  I had to loosen my chain up beyond what Yamaha spec's.  Also just because you can,  before you install the dog bones take a bottle jack and run your swing arm up and make sure your rear brake line will clear and check out the muffler/swing arm clearance on the right side.
George

While you're at it, it's a good time to make sure whomever assembled your FJ routed the rear brake light switch wiring out of the way of the swing arm.  DAMHIKIJKOK?

[Pat Conlon]

Heh heh, this thread is full of good advice based on painful lessons we have learned the hard way.....

Good stuff.

[aviationfred]

I may be a bit late to help. I have a set of 127mm dog bones that are available. They are 3/16" thick. They are steel, not sure the exact type of steel. They came with another set that were longer that I used. PM me if you are interested.






Fred

[DB Cooper]

Like I said earlier, gotta love this place for help, ideas and advice!
Thanks for the offer Fred, but I'm not sure on the size, and shipping would more than they're worth.

Thanks
Kevin

[movenon]

"I picked up some metal this morning, a 4 foot piece of 1/4 by 1 1/4 for  lots of mock ups, and a shorter piece of 5/16 x 1 1/2 for the final size."

Don't make them to thick, the attachment bolts are not that long.  And they are special bolts to fit into the bushings. The stress is in tension and compression so 1/4" is fine. What is important is the material around the holes and a good fit with the bolts (no slop) IMO.  Pick up some new lock nuts for your final assembly.

You have a good idea on fitting some sample dog bones up before you take the time to make a nice set from your 1 1/2" material. That's also experience talking.

Fit them before you paint them. I use the max material around the bolt holes. The bottom end has more room for the longer distance,  the top that bolts to the swing arm usually has to be dressed up to not interfear with the arm. That's only because I want the most material I can get around the 12mm holes although the weakest point I think is to the sides of the hole.

A lot of talk over something really simple. The only reason I even talk about it is so others doing a forum search on dog bones will have something to factor in.

George

[DB Cooper]

I knew that there may be a possibility that the 5/16 may be too thick but if it works great, if not I'm out 3 bucks. Ahead of you on the bolts, I already have to use a different one for the clevis I made. the legs are extra thick so I'll machine down one with a longer shank (see photo).




Kevin