Shock angle

Does anyone know if there is a good reason Kawasaki did not angle the rear shocks vertical. My understanding of the geometry is that vertical is the most effective position.

I ask because when I put my new swingarm on, I am going to have to have someone make mounting points for the shock (I do not trust my welding skills to something that important), so I can pick whatever angle I want.

Ignore spring rates and shock length, I am going to have to get new shocks anyway.

Vertical is the most effective only when the shock and swingarm are perpendicular to each other. As the swingarm moves upward, depending on howmuch travel you have, the shock can go past vertical and become less effective.

So designers placed the shock at an angle so as the swingarm moved through its arc and compressed the shock the shock moves more toward vertical and acts like it has a more progressive rate for a constant spring rate.

Later, Doug

StreetfighterKz wrote:

Vertical is the most effective only when the shock and swingarm are perpendicular to each other. As the swingarm moves upward, depending on howmuch travel you have, the shock can go past vertical and become less effective.

So designers placed the shock at an angle so as the swingarm moved through its arc and compressed the shock the shock moves more toward vertical and acts like it has a more progressive rate for a constant spring rate.

Later, Doug

what he said!

I knew that, I was just testing you