[fuglyucker2468]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a set of rear shocks for my CX500 restoration, and found that the eyelets are too narrow. The shocks have 18mm wide eyelets whereas the genuine's are more like 25mm wide. Every search I do online shows the shocks being the 188mm wide. I have found a correct width set set on Davidsilverspares but they're loads of dosh.

Am I really the only person to come across this issue? What am I doing wrong?

Correct width (about 25mm)

Every shock I find online

AD

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

Use the stock collars, or shim with some thick washers.

 

[fuglyucker2468]

Use the stock collars, or shim with some thick washers.

Yep, just did that. They seem to fit ok once I swapped the rubbers over.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

Welcome to the forum. Please add your location to your profile and your bike's model and model year to your signature so that you don't have to remember to tell us every time and we don't have to keep asking when you forget (see Forum Settings link in my signature).

And welcome to the world of antique vehicle ownership (they own us, not the other way around). Your bike is about 4 decades old and the Previous Owners may or may not have done the maintenance necessary to keep it safe & reliable so it is highly recommended to download the Factory Shop Manual for your model (available through the CX Wiki - link in my signature) and go through all of the service procedures, regardless of whether your bike has reached the specified mileage.
I also recommend looking on all rubber parts with suspicion because rubber does not age gracefully. Check the date codes on your tires and replace them if they are over 5 years old no matter how good they look & feel (old rubber simply cannot flow around the irregularities in the asphalt well enough to grip, especially if it is cool or wet). If your bike still has the original rubber brake line(s) (should be replaced every 2 or 3 fluid changes = 5 or 6 years) I recommend shopping for modern stainless braided ones (they last practically forever and double the life of the fluid). And don't forget things like the rad hoses and the boot between the engine and swingarm (they can crack on the bottom where you don't see it)