A LIKE swingarm under load

[Stig / Major Tom]

OK, here's 2 photos of my LIKE under my load. I am sitting still, so the suspension compression would actually be slightly more if I were riding on a street.

I presented the issue (ie: not good for a big guy rider) with the LIKE shocks to a suspension shop which builds shocks using the very good Progressive shock and springs set.
Here is their reply:
Hello Tom,

As Progressive does not offer shocks for your Kymco LIKE we need to know the overall length of your shocks (from the center of the eye at the top to the center of the bolt at the bottom) We will also need to know the OD of the pin on the frame where the shock mounts at the top and the size of the bolt in the clevis at the bottom. As the shocks are tapped for the bottom bolt we will also need to know the thread pitch of the bolts. IE 10 X 1.25 or 10 X 150 etc. The parts manual should have it listed. Going longer than the stock shock can cause handling problems. As the OD of the Progressive shocks will be larger than your stock shocks you will need to let us know how much room you have before the shocks will touch anything. You just need better shocks and springs, not longer shocks.
With this information we will be able to let you know what we can build for you.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I am thinking , along with Vivo, that I do want a slightly longer shock. 14" vs the stock 13".
I guess in a perfect world, where I had a box full of 13" shocks and assorted springs I could finally find the perfect shock.
I do not want to lose as much ride height as I do on a stock shock, I would like a bit more suspension travel, and a decent ride with the spring-load setting NOT clear at one end or the other.

I am going to lood hard at some stock KYMCO scooter shocks - off the shelf replacements - a bit longer than the LIKE shock - a bit stiffer springs. The length I can find by asking around - the loading abilities of the shock will have to come from actual rider/owners. Vivo has given me good feedback on his Super 8 length and capabilities. I'll look for more feedback from riders here.........

No big hurry, I lowered the PSI in the tires a touch and the spring setting - things are liveable for my riding style and pace at present.
Here' the airbox side under load (about 90% here, actual riding would be slightly more compressed)

[Vivo]

Stig, here's a cheap experiment... try installing shock extenders and see if the suspension will be at level when you're on it... I had this on my older motorcycle and it works fine...

[Stig / Major Tom]

Stig, here's a cheap experiment... try installing shock extenders and see if the suspension will be at level when you're on it... I had this on my older motorcycle and it works fine...

Vivo, I have searched the internet for hours looking for something like this. Drawing a blank now. Again. Even with your picture. Do you have a link to this or a company name that  sells them?

[Stig / Major Tom]

Here's an extender that I bought, it will not fit the L side without grinding away some of the swingarm metal near the lower shock mount. R side fits perfect!

The left side mount area has a sloping ramp-up towards the front of the scoot - this prevents this extender from aligning with the holes.
The stock shock has clearance, this extender + bolt head does not.
Tossed them back in my tool box. I'm not going to grind anything away at that location.

[Vivo]

Can't go to the site. ebay is blocked on my office computer... but its on ebay.com... I just searched for "shock absorber extender" and saw image.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Can't go to the site. ebay is blocked on my office computer... but its on ebay.com... I just searched for "shock absorber extender" and saw image.

Vivo, Found them on amazon.....but they are for F-150 Fords!. The alum. billet ones are for bikes & scoots. Back to looking at Progressives and Kymcos. Thanks..........

[Vivo]

Stig, if you know a shop... you can have a pair fabricated.... very simple to do... steel plates, grinder, drill, welding machine...