[Rik]

Here we go... I know on here there's a huge following of loyal brandwhores for both the mentioned companies, so I'm looking forward to some good feedback

I'm looking at purchasing an 04 SGS Freeride Expert on closeout (25% off RRP, can't go wrong there), and I have an Avalanche shock in the right dimensions that I'd plan to fit on it. I do have a bit of fiddling to do with the reservoir position and the current hose (it'll get changed eventually), but the important part I need to consider, and hope to get some advice on, is the shock mounting:

Upon first glance, I've realised the SGS has a through-pin on the linkage for the shock to pivot on, which fits the Fox shock eye. I measured a fox bush, and it measures at approx 12 or 13mm diameter (my calipers are near dead), whilst the Avalanche shock eye is approx 11mm dia. Obviously the pin is too big to fit the Avalanche eye.
Now it appears this pin is somewhat crucial, but I'm wondering if anyone's fitted an Avalanche on to any of the SGS bikes, and how they went about sorting out the shock mounting issue. Also, if there isn't any first hand experience, I'm hoping that some of the more engineering-inclined posters could help me out with suggestions on how to space it out and sort out the mounting.
I have the facilities to have just about anything machined for me (I'm an apprentice toolmaker), alas I lack the experience myself to do it properly, so if a viable idea is put forward I can have it done, but I would be hesitant about doing it all myself from scratch.
All help would be great, I hope that I can get something working and make purchasing the bike a reality, because as much as I'd love 05 technology, for the money it's pretty much all I could ask for in a budget bike.

 

[Jimmy_Pop]

Rik, avalanches web site lists your future bike, so you might be able to buy the mounting bushings and save yourself some hassle.

Those are sweet bikes and a great value. post some pics when you get it rolling.

joel

 

[seismic]

Yes...if you are in doubt, contact Craig at Avalanche...he will know what to do.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Yes...if you are in doubt, contact Craig at Avalanche...he will know what to do.

That would be my recomendation.

 

[HRDTLBRO]

I believe I remember seeing an Avy on an SGS on his site. Albeit, it was an older model, but I'd say he can give you a recommendation on how to fit it to the new SGS.

 

[HRDTLBRO]

There's also an 03 on the application list, but the picture seems to be dead.

 

[DßR]

I put one on my '03 DH Team; it seems to have the exact same "pin" as the '04s do, as well as the FR Team and possibly others. Craig made up a set of spacers to go with mine, basically it's the same setup as stock, with the pin hollow in the center and two spacers on either side of the shock. M8 bolt goes thru the pin. One of the spacers appears to be formed out of the same piece of metal as the pin, i.e. they can't be separated. It's quite a piece of metalwork really.

Furthermore, unlike the stock setup, the pin I have does not go thru the link plates, it only spans between them. The holes in the link plates are filled by small pieces of "cutoff" pin (they're bushings basically) that allow the bolt to pass thru but not the main pin.

Since my calipers are nice and tight, the dimensions of the thing are:
Pin diameter - 11.15mm
Pin length - 59.5mm
Spacer length - 23.5mm
Spacer O.D. - 15.5mm
Link plate bushings - 8mm I.D. x 12.7mm O.D. x 10mm long

The pin and spacers are steel; the link bushings are aluminum. Hope that helps...

 

[DßR]

Furthermore, unlike the stock setup, the pin I have does not go thru the link plates, it only spans between them. The holes in the link plates are filled by small pieces of "cutoff" pin (they're bushings basically) that allow the bolt to pass thru but not the main pin.

Just to clarify, the reason for this is that since the frame was designed for a 5th Element, the diameter of the holes in the link plates is the exact same as the mounting holes on the 5th, so one pin can span them perfectly. The Avy has smaller diameter mounting holes though, hence the three-piece setup.

 

[Rik]

Cheers DßR, I went to bed thinking of this, and came up with an idea similar to what you're running.
I'd have a full length pin made, with 12.7mm OD on one side, that drops down to 11.15mm in the middle for the shock. It'd press in to one side, and also act as the spacer for one side of the shock, then have a spacer on the other side of the shock, and a reducing spacer in the linkage that the pin would press in to.
So it'd be much the same as your setup, with only one side needing a reducer spacing to press in to the linkage. I do realise it'd need to be fairly accurate to ensure the shock doesn't have sideways play or is pressed on to by the spacer, but all that'll take is a few minutes of drawings and number crunching. I will have one of the guys at work make it for me, I guess a strong tool steel would be the way to go, along the lines of the steel parts used by Avalanche and IH, and I'd have an aluminium reducer for the pin to press in to. The attatched image shows my intentions, the grey being a steel pin that presses through one side, yellow being an aluminium spacer (weight saving :eviltongu ) the blue being the reducer spacer. And I'd have an 8mm bolt running through it all.

To be honest, last time I had queries for Avalanche, Craig wasn't all that helpful (though I am understanding, he was probably busy), and to have to email/call back and forth, then pay for the parts and shipping (not that cheap here) then wait for it all, I'd rather DIY, especially knowing the accuracy and skill my fellow workers have.

 

[LOOnatic]

Cheers DßR, I went to bed thinking of this, and came up with an idea similar to what you're running.
I'd have a full length pin made, with 12.7mm OD on one side, that drops down to 11.15mm in the middle for the shock. It'd press in to one side, and also act as the spacer for one side of the shock, then have a spacer on the other side of the shock, and a reducing spacer in the linkage that the pin would press in to.
So it'd be much the same as your setup, with only one side needing a reducer spacing to press in to the linkage. I do realise it'd need to be fairly accurate to ensure the shock doesn't have sideways play or is pressed on to by the spacer, but all that'll take is a few minutes of drawings and number crunching. I will have one of the guys at work make it for me, I guess a strong tool steel would be the way to go, along the lines of the steel parts used by Avalanche and IH, and I'd have an aluminium reducer for the pin to press in to. The attatched image shows my intentions, the grey being a steel pin that presses through one side, yellow being an aluminium spacer (weight saving :eviltongu ) the blue being the reducer spacer. And I'd have an 8mm bolt running through it all.

To be honest, last time I had queries for Avalanche, Craig wasn't all that helpful (though I am understanding, he was probably busy), and to have to email/call back and forth, then pay for the parts and shipping (not that cheap here) then wait for it all, I'd rather DIY, especially knowing the accuracy and skill my fellow workers have.

I applaud your tenacity to do-it-yourself but since you mentioned a hose issue why not just send the shock to avy for a winter re-build(faster than any other time of year) and have it freshened up and also change the hose set up and mounting hardware.
Then its perfect for a many rides to come!

I'm just saying...............

 

[Jm_]

Rik, I know you may be set on the avalanche, but another option may be to sell the avalanche and put a fox DHX on there. The reason I say this is that the DHX simply bolts right up in place of the 5th element of the same stroke and eye to eye. No special hardware needed, it simply takes the place of the 5th perfectly. It's a very big improvement in suspension IMO as well.

 

[Sir Happypants]

im pretty sure the guy on the front page is rockin an sgs

 

[RD]

im pretty sure the guy on the front page is rockin an sgs

On the Avalanche site? That is John McCann on his old Cortina.

 

[Rik]

I'm just saying...............

It's had a rebuild not too long ago, and my location makes that a bit difficult... especially being on first year wages and trying to save every dollar I can. If it comes to that, I will, but DIY all the way... well, until I have dramas
JM_ I take note of your DHX suggestions, and can tell you if I don't run an Avalanche, I'll be on a DHX for sure... it's part of my new bike criteria, to run either Avy or DHX, and the latter is impressively priced IMO.

 

[Bulldog]

It's had a rebuild not too long ago,

Craig valves each shock specifically to each bike's suspension characteristics. You may find less than stellar performance by running a shock valved for another bike. Just FYI.

 

[thaflyinfatman]

Craig valves each shock specifically to each bike's suspension characteristics. You may find less than stellar performance by running a shock valved for another bike. Just FYI.

The bike it was initially valved for has a similar suspension rate and setup to the SGS, so I doubt it'd be a problem.