Well I'm on spring break this week so there's no better time to wrench on the warrior. Been thinking about a long travel rear linkage for a while now, especially when I got the 660 shock on and saw the chain binding issue. So over the weekend I dropped the quad by taking all the shocks off and started to work on measuring up the LT linkage. Was hoping to be able to use parts off the raptor 350 linkage, but there are several issue with this. Not only will the shock hit the stock airbox when compressed, the extended and compressed lengths needed for the 660 shock do not line up. So yeah, time for some custom fabrication. Made a linkage out of cardboard today that should give me the correct extended and compressed lengths and also allow the shock to clear the airbox (maybe).
So after many attempts with different length dogbones and links, I came to this design. I'm not done with the design work at all, but this is what it will look similar to. The white cardboard mounts to the swingarm and the brown goes to the frame. The brown "dogbone" is 5.5" eye to eye, like it says. Here's some pics with it on.
At Full Extension
At Full Compression
And for those who are wondering what a fully compressed swingarm on a warrior looks like, here you go.
Also, shock clearance to airbox. The shock is represented by the cardboard strip. This is at full compression. On a side note, those looking to run a stock warrior airbox and raptor 350 linkage, your shock will most likely hit the airbox at full compression, so modification will be required.
Another mod I have been dreaming up is a hump seat, so here are some pics of a cardboard one lol.
So, yeah, this is going to be my spring break lol. Hopefully will make a linkage out of wood or steel soon so I can run the bike through the travel with a shock on it (no spring). With this setup, I will be able to have the full ~4.375" of shock stroke from the 660 rear shock but at the same time having ~7.75" of rear wheel travel, which is close to stock for a warrior. This means no chain binding, but still a smooth ride from the 660 shock. I still have to calculate progression rate for the rear, as this will also have a say in the length of each component of the linkage. Please leave any feedback you guys have or point out anything I should consider, as I don't want to miss anything important.