There are so many things to consider here.
I started with some adjustable length cheapies after an initial dry build with Rex shocks. Rex are 20mm longer than Zed which throw up a couple of issues.
For me the most important issue was to get the bike sitting at the right level. I had decided to extend the front forks which unlike the rear when fitting a 17" wheel do come up shorter. That brought the lower frame rails to where they were originally for ground clearance which then dictated where the rear should be.
As I suggested in my PM, after trialing some borrowed Rex shocks I made up some struts out of box section. That showed me that with my wheel, tyre and swingarm combination standard Zed length would be right. The adjustable length shocks confirmed it. Any longer than stock and the back end looked too high, caused me issues with chain tension, made checking the oil level tricky and made the bike lean over too far on the stand.
Once running with the cheapies I could feel every movement and confirmed that bottoming out caused no issues.
Finally fitting top line Ohlins showed just how good these shocks are.
How do they feel? In the short time I rode with them I didn't even notice them. They were either sublime or didn't move at all.
Finally dont forget there are different types of Ohlins. Though all the same length there are changes to spring strength and valving. These are for the Zephyr 1100. Dave (Zedhead) was very helpful.
so hoping someone has an answer ahead of that so I can order a set up soon..
