| Author | Message | ||
     Djkaplan |
...reservoir. I just picked up a used Penske 8900 for my M2. It didn't come with any hardware to mount the reservoir to the frame. I sure would like some input on how to mount this thing. Anyone? | ||
| Jayvee |
Here's a picture of my Buell with the Penske on the bottom, and the reservoir on the left side. The 6-position adjuster on mine is pointing to the front of the bike, the valve stem is to the rear. (Bought the bike used, came like this.) I recently started experimenting with the mounting position, but the hose mounting to the reservoir constrains where it will mount. The only mounting "hardware" on mine is two rubber blocks, with tube-shaped depression on one side, reservoir-shaped on the other, and the whole reservoir is simply zip-tied on with three big zip-ties. That's it.  (Message edited by jayvee on January 16, 2007) (Message edited by jayvee on January 16, 2007) (Message edited by jayvee on January 17, 2007) (Message edited by jayvee on January 17, 2007) | ||
| Djkaplan |
Thanks for the photo, J. Beautiful bike, btw (doesn't look like what a mild mannered clerk would ride). I think I may be able to mount the reservoir in the space between the shock mount on the swingarm and the bottom of the engine. I'll have to fab a mount for it and get a longer rear shock bolt, but it may work if I can keep the reservoir from rubbing on anything. Thanks again. If I can come up with something, I'll post some pics. | ||
| Jayvee |
OK, moved it to this position. I think the reservoir is sort of an ugly thing, don't like it blocking the view of the cylinder "V". Since the right side is all cluttered, trying to get the left side 'clean'. There's a guy who discusses the aesthetics of the engine, right vs. left, on his web site, here: http://www.jttk.zaq.ne.jp/afk/bb/engn_e.html The picture isn't clear but you can get the idea. (Few other changes evident too.)  | ||
| Djkaplan |
I like the new location better. That'll be were I mount mine if my plan doesn't work out. Looks like you're having lots of fun with your bike. What in the heck is holding it up in the second pic? | ||
| Jayvee |
Hey here's some ready-made mounts for you: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/5302,867_Penske-Sh ock-Reservoir-Mounts.html PENSKE SHOCK RESERVOIR MOUNTS Easy mounting of Penske shock reservoirs to common round tubing. The two halves swivel independently of each other which allows you to place the reservoir where needed. Choose 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" or 1-3/4" tubing size. Add quick knob to make fast shock changes. Oh yeah, I had the rebar and the jack stand on the other side for the picture. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Those mounts are way cool... great find. Had I known about them earlier, they'd be on the bike right now. I wound up mounting the reservoir right next to the shock. I fabbed up a little angle that sandwiches between the side brace and engine case (it only took me 3 1/2 tries to get it right). The clamp is the stock reservoir mount for the old Showa reservoir, it fits the Penske perfectly. I have better pictures I'll post later, but this shows the location pretty well.  The Penske did miraculous things for the rear suspension. I didn't have a clue how bad the Showa dampers really were until I rode the bike with the Penske finally installed. What a revelation. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Here are the detailed pics of the bracket I made. The little bracket on the front shock bolt is a reflector bracket for a Rockshox mountain bike fork (I never throw anything away). The the little guide that's bolted to it is a sparkplug wire separator.  The new location puts the damping adjusters right next to each other.  The bracket is sandwiched between the engine brace and case. I had to trim the aluminum spacer to get everything lined up. The reservoir line clears the exhaust a lot better than the pic show. I'm not real happy with the braided line looping around the front like that, but I can't do anything about it until I get the shock rebuilt. The stock reservoir clamp looks really industrial turned around, but I like it. | ||
| Jayvee |
Wow, that's a nice setup. My reservoir came with the blue 90 degree elbow out of it, looks like on yours the braided hose just sticks straight out. What would you do with the "big loop" just shorten the hose? Or re-orient the hose elbow on the shock. That setup would be mostly hidden by my chin fairing (assuming it would fit under the chin fairing.) That would look better, I might try that setup next. The parts manual shows my rubber mounting blocks as standard items, I hadn't noticed that before. The zip-ties don't seem nearly as secure as that big clamp looks, although of course they will be lighter. Now the next question is, where can we get titanium long bolts for this shock? The American Sport Bike downloadable catalog lists them, but they are not on their web-site any more. I was thinking of getting it re-valved in the coming months, the previous owner was about 50 pounds heavier than me. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"My reservoir came with the blue 90 degree elbow out of it, looks like on yours the braided hose just sticks straight out. What would you do with the "big loop" just shorten the hose? Or re-orient the hose elbow on the shock." Oh... so that's it. I was having a devil of a time getting the reservoir mounted without the braided line getting fouled and rubbing against the cases, frame, or exhaust. The whole mounting exercise would have been easier with a 90 degree fitting on the reservoir. When it comes time to rebuild the shock, I'll have that 90 degree fitting installed on the reservoir. To eliminate the big loop, I'll have the line shortened with a 45 degree fitting pointed backwards out of the shock body. That way I can turn the body around with the fitting on top. It gives me the heebie-jeebies pointed down like that. Penske only charges $90 + shipping for a shock rebuild,btw. I bet a revalve wouldn't cost much more. From what I understand (what Penske told me), these shocks are rebuildable with simple hand tools, the only problem being you need a source of compressed nitrogen and a way to meter it precisely. I'll just let them do it. I don't have a clue about titanium shock bolts! That was great link to the Japanese guy's website, btw. | ||
| Jon |
A concern I have about the 90 degree downward elbow is shearing it off if I happen to bottom out on a curb, etc. I've scraped the bottom of the can lightly a time or two. (Message edited by jon on July 16, 2007) | ||
| Blake |
"if I happen to bottom out on a curb" I thought you had worked through that stage of your life?  | ||
| Jon |
Ooooh! Cold blooded killah...you cut me man....ya cut me deep.  | ||
| Blake |
I'm ruthless that way. ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) |
