Will a 6th Gen shock fit a 5th Gen?

Have 47K miles on my 5th gen, and am looking to replace the rear shock (cheaply). I can get a 6th gen shock with 7K miles on it for $40. Street use only, not looking to do the 929/whatever transplant. Does anyone know if the 6th gen will fit, or what other newer Honda shocks might be a direct fit? Part numbers are different between 5th and 6th Gen shocks.
Thanks!

 

I asked Jamie Daugherty this question, as I found a great deal on a 5 Gen Penske shock and wanted to see if it would work on a 6 Gen, he said they were different lengths but I don't recall if he said the eyelet widths were the same.

That being said, I have an OEM of each, if you would like, I can take measurements for you.

 

A cursory measurement of each shock says that the eyelet widths are the same top and bottom for both shocks but the 5 Gen is longer than a 6 Gen shock. 325mm vs. 320mm

 

doesn't
look good for switching in a 6th ge for a 5th gen shock-ya 2000 posts:triumphant:

 

OOTV,
Thank you for your efforts. I guess I'll have to find a cheap, low miles, gen5.
Jim

 

The other way around might actually improve the handling, meaning the longer shock on the 6 Gen. Sending you a PM.

 

Maybe being silly but if you turned the pretension 1 step harder would that make up the 5mm

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Yep, you're being silly. The overall length of the shock does not change with preload adjustments, only the sag in the suspension changes. That being said, if you put a 5 Gen shock on a 6 Gen you would actually change the rake/trail a little bit and it would sharpen up the steering. The inverse would apply with a 6 Gen shock on a 5 Gen, you would slow down the steering. The former is done by some, by putting shims at the top shock mount thus adding a few mm to the rear height. Same difference as to putting a longer shock on the bike.

 

So if you added shims to the 6th gen shock it could go on a 5th gen?

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Technically yes, that would make it match stock height. Personally, if I was going to put shims in, it would be to gain benefit, not to be equal to an original setup. To be quite honest, I don't even think I'd shim it for benefit, I'd get a shock that is either to length or that has ride height adjustment on it. That's me, YMMV. I actually have a shock for my Duc going back to Jamie Daugherty and he is going to put a longer shaft on it so I can gain a few mm without the use of shims or an adapter plate. The shock needs to be serviced anyway and figured I'd do the lengthening at the same time.