I know this topic has been discussed several times but I cannot find any current information. I currently have Progressive on my fl350 one is bent and cannot find any replacements. At this point anything even things that are not well recommended by the community would be acceptable. I don't plan on airing it out just trail riding. I have found shocks the proper length but can't determine if the eyelet diameter will work without replacing bushings. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

How mechanically inclined are you ??
No this is not a smart azz question. There is a reason I am asking.
Also do you have tools -- lathe ?? grinders ?? hyd press ?? welder ??

Hey CO what shocks can be used with the u joint yolks ground down?

This is the reason (grind your yolks and info below) I asked the new guy if he was mechanically inclined but he never came back. Fool probably thought I was being a smart azz.

Here is some info for you:
The problem here is that you have to verify bolt sizes and you will find that most do not use the large bolt the oddy uses on the rear shock. Also you need the correct shock ends so verify this before you order shocks (see pic below, you need the E1 style), I know Polaris uses the S1 style. Also the weight of the machine these shocks come from must be close to an oddy or the valveing will be off. But anything is better than the stock setup. The only problem with the oddy rear suspension is the spring rate. If you buy a set of 170 lb approx springs then the rear suspension is good. You only need shocks if yours leak and your to lazy to rebuild yours.

Honda models with the same length rear shock as the oddy:
TRX250R (Front) 1986-89 15.25"
Honda models with slightly longer rear shocks as the oddy:
TRX400ex 1999-on 15.50"
TRX450R (Front) 2004-on 15.50"
TRX450R LT 2004-on 15.50"
TRX500 Rubicon (Front) 2001-on 15.50"
TRX500 Foreman ES/S (Front) 2005-on 15.50"
TRX650 Rincon (Front) 2003-on 15.38"
Honda models with slightly shorter rear shocks as the oddy:
TRX250ex 2001 15.13"
ATC350X 1986 15.13"
TRX420 Rancher, 4X4 (Front) 2007- on 15.13"
There are other manufacturers with shocks of similar but these are just the Honda models that are close.
NOTE: You MUST verify bolt hole sizes before you order. The oddy has a 14mm bolt and the TRX400ex has a 10mm bolt.
Kawasaki KFX400 2003-up (R) 15.50”
Kymco 300 mongoose 2007-up (F) 15.25”
Suzuki LTZ400 2002-up (R) 15.50”
Yamaha Raptor 250 2008-up (R) 15.38”
Yamaha YFM350 Wolverine 1995-05 (F) 15.50”
Yamaha YFM400FWM Big Bear 2000-up (F) 15.50”
Yamaha YFM660R & YFM700R Raptor 2001-05 & 06-on (F&R) 15.50”
Yamaha Rhino 2004-up (R) 15.50”

If I were to take a guess at the best candidate I think it would be: TRX500 Foreman ES/S (Front) 2005-on 15.50"

that's some very valuable information, thanks CO

I had never thought of just replacing the SPRING itself, that could be pretty cost effective. 170lbs, how do I measure the correct size to order? If mine leak then they have been out of oil for as long as I've owned the FL350 but I'm fairly sure they still have oil.

Basically you measure the ID and the length of the spring.
Then order the spring rate you want.

There are several manufacturers. Some are very expensive and some cheap. You can find them online.
Eibach springs are one manufacture but they're expensive. Just look around.

Basically I said 170 lb approx because that's what my brothers machine had when we bought it.
It depends on your weight. If your a fatazz you may need more. My brother and I are both peep squeaks, we each weigh 130 lbs. At the end of the day the cheapest and best option is the stock shocks with after market springs. Some here will argue with my reasoning but I will agree with them that if you got money just go for Fox air's or Works. The stock rear spring rate is 225 lbs and everyone here will agree that the stock oddy rear suspension is NON existent ---- it don't move at all even with a fatazz in it.

Ody makes a good point there, my rear shocks were gone so i wanted to run fox airs, which are fantastic but your looking at $400-$500 for the shocks + $30 a shock for a shop to nitro fill. And then you need to work out the mounting, so it can be pricey.

One final comment from me here on this issue.
You will most likely find that all those other shocks use different size bushing for the top bolt than what the oddy uses. They will be smaller. This was another reason why I asked the new guy the question "how mechanically inclined are you ?? You will have to do some work in this area.
I run the stock shocks with after market springs on my brothers machine, and I run another spring option on the other two machines. I do not want to share that info.

I'm a 160lb guy so do you figure a 170 will still be good? Maybe a 180?

CO you don't happen to have the stock spring dimensions do you? I don't have a spring compressor at the moment nor the materials to make one so I was hoping maybe someone would know so I could just order a new pair.

Thanks

11 1/2" L x 1 3/4" ID
I am not a suspension guy. Just take a guess.
You may end up buying a couple.

Edit: The stock rear springs are exactly 11 5/8" long but I don't think you can buy them that exact and if you bought 11 3/4" that would give you some preload but it may be too much preload.

Thanks CO, amazing knowledge.

Curious though, at 11.5" wouldn't that allow the spring to theoretically come off the spring retainer if it were to top out? Maybe use something to take up the 1/4"?


Also I understand you're not necessarily the suspension guy, but any advice on spring rates? Not exactly sure what that means.


EDIT: I guess spring rate = rated lbs

NO -- the oddy shocks have a preload adjuster that has about 1/4" adjustment.
I made plastic spacers of different size to maximize the preload adjustments and to make sure the spring don't "come off the spring retainer". You may end up making these anyways because of the length of springs you can get.
"how mechanically inclined are you ??" ----- see what I mean ?? Not a smart azz question.

I can rebuild a motor (( Internal Combustion Engine ? )) in my sleep but I don't know anything about ATV suspension.

The longest spring I can find is 10", any ideas where to look? I know you mentioned Eibach but they don't appear to make one around the correct length.

Run the 10" and make a spacer ??
Oddy has 6" of total rear travel. That shouldn't cause any spring bind.
Check atv shops ?? Check Amazon ?? Feebay ?? Not sure how to help on this.
I actually took an old stock rear spring and cut a few coils out to use as a spacer.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hyc-1812d0150

Found a 12" spring on summit, do you think the extra half inch will make it ride poorly? I figure if I order a 150lb it may make up for it being half inch too long?

Thanks CO for all the help by the way

EDIT: I know that the shock will keep it from expanding passed 15.5 but I am worried about it A riding like crap and B damaging the shock by constantly topping out. I guess the stock spring is doing that anyways?

I think that 1/2" may be a bit to much preload.
You will have to make the call on some of this stuff. It's your money.
Our hobbies cost money. I blew over $100000.xx on my race car in the 90's. A lot of it was wasted $$. Entry fee was $350 usa and our Canadian dollar was crap at the time. It was $500 for me. It cost me $2000 a weekend to run my car. If you are gona cry about two hundred bucks I think your in the wrong hobby . By the way that spring won't work. It's the wrong size.

dimensions show 12" x 1.875, translates to 1 7/8", do you think the 1/8" difference is too big?

Yes