Rear shock - Showa 54565-97C

Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, 750 S, 750 S3, 850 T, 850 T3, 850 T3 California, V1000 I-Convert, V1000 G5, 1000 SP, Le Mans, Le Mans II, Le Mans CX 100, Le Mans III, Le Mans 1000, 1000 SP III, 1000 S, California II, California III, California 1100, California Jackal, California EV, California EV Touring, California Aluminium, California Titanium, California Special, California Special Sport, California Stone-Metal, California Stone-Touring, California Classic, California Touring, and California Vintage models

Created: 2015 March 08

Updated: 2015 March 08

Thanks to Jack Huisinga for sending me the description and photos of installing Showa 54565-97C air shocks on his V1000 I-Convert. In Jack's own words:

The Showa 54565-97C is standard equipment on some Harley models and many riders replace them to lower the rear, so the 54565-97Cs are regularly available on eBay at reasonable prices. The shocks and are equal or better than the Convert's original rear shocks (MG# 13550241) and are much more easily adjusted for load (with a hand pump), the adjusting the original shock with a wrench that you can't get on the shock without removing the side bags.

The 54565-97C shocks need to have the bushings driven out of the eyes. A socket and extension works well as a driver, a heavy hammer swung easily provides the needed force. The trick is supporting the eye while driving the bushings. I used the brass liners I made for my bench vise. You might want a new set of shock bushings (MG# 18551650).

The 54565-97C has a larger diameter than the original shock and it interferes with the brake caliper Bracket (MG# 17635350). The arm on the bracket that supports the upper / front caliper mount needs to be thinned by about 5 mm leaving it no more than 15 mm thick. I cut the material out on radius but if I were doing in on a mill the bracket could be thinned to 15 mm all the way to the end of the arm.

I purchased a Progressive Suspension Hand Air Shock Pump 30 PSI Gauge to c. I have found that 20 PSI is sufficient for riding 2-up with luggage.