Stock rear shock lenth

[clarks41]

Hi all, this is my first posting as a new member. I bought my first Ducati last Sunday. It needs a bit of work being a 1995 model, but for me it's half the fun of owning a motorcycle. I'd like to buy parts online for my bike, so if you know of a place that has good prices and ships fast let me know.
The new bike is a 1995 900 SS SP and the previous owner put on an adjustable lenth rear shock and cranked it way up in the back, to the point where the chain has worn through the top of the nylon chain runner because of the angle. Does anyone know what the stock lenth of the original shock was so I can set it there ? I'd need the center to center lenth. Thanks

[marvin]

I would just shorten it until the chain doesn't hit dramatically. The reason the previous owner lengthened it is to make the bike turn in more quickly, they turn slowly with the stock length shock. Also check the number of teeth on the front sprocket. From the factory they are terribly over geared so the common "fix" is to add two teeth to the rear sprocket. A cheaper/easier solution is to put a 14 T on the front (stock is 15T) which does the same thing but obviously chances of the chain rubbing on the skidder are greater, plus the chain has to wrap around a smaller sprocket which takes a tiny bit more power and somewhat shortens the life of the chain.

[clarks41]

Marvin, the counter sprocket is a 15T and the rear a 39T and looks new, so I'm all right there. I'd like to set it at the stock height as a starting to see what it's like and then go from there. Any idea where I can find that spec ? Thanks

[FunkZ]

I can measure the one on my 95 CR, I believe it has the same Showa unit that was used on the SP. But are you talking about the spring preload? Because I've increased mine from stock to accomodate a passenger. I have the manual and the Haynes as well and I don't think either mention a stock or recommended setting for that but I'll look.

Desmo Times carries a good supply of common maintenance items you might need.

[blade625]

I don't have one in front of me, but if memory serves me the length is 340mm [13-3/8"] ctr.hole to ctr hole, on the stock shock.

[droopy]

I just measured the stock showa that I took off of my 96 SS/SP and as nearly as I can measure , it comes out to 13 inches . Marvin is right (as uusual ) about the slow steering geometry . They also tend to drag the stock header pipes on the track so the extra rear ride height helps a little there also . I have two of these bikes ( one street, one track) and have longer shocks on both of them . I consider chain sliders a normal wear item and try to always keep a spare lying around . They're cheap and easy to replace .