Just a quick note to show the final installed shock. Due to interference with the axle plate, the bottom loop of the shock has to be installed first. I used some oversized washers at the top to provide relief for the weld bead on the shock side of the upper mounting stud. It turns out that the Monroe-provided stud is NOT too long (despite my earlier post). There isn't much of the 5/8" diameter smooth shaft (see post above) for the loop to slide on, so I cut a small length of 1/2" copper pipe (fits perfectly over the threaded portion and has an outside diameter of 5/8") to provide a bearing surface for the rubber inserts.
I had some interim thoughts that I should have put the mounting bracket further inboard on the swing arm. Not so fast, Nellie! To my surprise, I found that when I went to adjust the brakes I HADN'T CONSIDERED THE LOCATION OF THE ADJUSTING HOLE IN THE BRAKE PLATE. The brake plates are not symetrical. It turns out that the stree side hole is accessible just in front of the shock bracket, but the curb side is exactly behind the tip of the bracket. I'm not sure that it can be adjusted with a screwdriver (you can get the screwdriver into the hole by angling from botht he front or the back)--due to the angle, the tip seems to slip off the star wheel. But you can adjust it easily with a brake tool (sorry, no photo, but it's one of those chisel-looking things that is bent 90 degrees at one end and has two 45 degree bends at the other). So, be careful how close you mount the bracket towards the brake plate!
I added a small retaining loop to the axle plate for the brake wire--I never liked them just hanging down out of the belly pan. You can see it here in the upper right hand corner.
