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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 10:38 #703107

  • ed spangler
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swest wrote: Are parts for Hogs really made in CHINA?
Steve


My thinking also Steve ;)
I would be surprised if they were!
Just my opinion
Ed
Have 1975 Kawasaki Z1-B & 2003 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic
Had Hondas, Harleys and many ,many Z Series Kaws both Std. & LTD's

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 10:39 #703108

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ed spangler wrote:

swest wrote: Are parts for Hogs really made in CHINA?
Steve


My thinking also Steve ;)
I would be surprised if they were!
maybe these were aftermarket Chinese shocks for a Harley, I doubt they were OE.
Just my opinion
Ed

Have 1975 Kawasaki Z1-B & 2003 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail Classic
Had Hondas, Harleys and many ,many Z Series Kaws both Std. & LTD's

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 12:38 #703117

  • JaFlo
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Tyrell Corp wrote:

JaFlo wrote: I just got the cheap Chinese eBay piggyback reservoir shocks. I had them rebuilt and modified by CL MotoTech. $250 total including the price of the shocks. I have not got to ride on them yet, but they seem legit. I wouldn't recommend these shocks without the rebuild service.


Some of the Chink piggy backs look cool but (I've read elsewhere) are originally intended for snowmobiles so need setting up properly. also there has been some reported failures in the castings. There was a guy on ebay uk selling quite a few but seems to have discontinued now...

I have a set of ohlins piggybacks, but at nearly £700 a pair I probably won't be buying again. The YSS remotes look nice, Koni or UK Hagon I'll be looking at next.



ps That pipe looks ace, the thin diameter tail and shortness looks LOUD!


The China shocks need to be setup correctly as I mentioned. Mine have 120lbin springs and 7wt Maxima shock oil. They also have the correct amount of nitrogen gas charge. That's what you get with the rebuild service. From China, the come with the wrong amount of some sort of mystery oil and are not correctly charged. The castings are actually quite nice, especially for how cheap they are. Most of the ones that break are the clevis mount ones, due mostly to improper mounting.

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Last edit: by JaFlo. Reason: Stupid iPad

Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 13:02 #703118

  • redhawk4
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Aren't the stock Harley shocks made by Showa? It seems they may have manufacturing in China, but they are a Japanese company. I don't care for things made in China as a whole, but the whole quality issue has a lot to do with who is ordering what and to what specification rather than a blanket if it's made in China it's automatically crap. Showa also has manufacturing in the US.
1978 KZ1000A2 Wiseco 1075 kit
1977 KZ650B1
1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V
1968 BSA Victor Special 441
2015 Triumph Thunderbird LT
1980 Suzuki SP400

Old enough to know better, still too young to care

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Last edit: by redhawk4.

Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 14:14 #703125

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So is the shock I have the stock KZ1000 LTD one ? They seem pretty stiff and the adjusters are reluctant to turn although with just the hole in the collar there isn't much to get hold of.



Attachment shock.jpg not found

1978 KZ1000A2 Wiseco 1075 kit
1977 KZ650B1
1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V
1968 BSA Victor Special 441
2015 Triumph Thunderbird LT
1980 Suzuki SP400

Old enough to know better, still too young to care
Attachments:

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 15:11 #703129

  • SWest
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Those look like food shocks. You might try some channel locks with leather to adjust then. Spanner wrenches are a PITA.
Steve

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 15:23 #703133

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swest wrote: Those look like food shocks. You might try some channel locks with leather to adjust then. Spanner wrenches are a PITA.
Steve


"Food" shocks?
1978 KZ1000A2 Wiseco 1075 kit
1977 KZ650B1
1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V
1968 BSA Victor Special 441
2015 Triumph Thunderbird LT
1980 Suzuki SP400

Old enough to know better, still too young to care

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Last edit: by redhawk4.

Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 15:27 #703134

  • SWest
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I meant good shocks. This new HP lap top wants to learn how to fly. :angry:
Steve

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 15:28 #703135

  • kaw-a-holic
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I bought RFY shocks on eBay for $90+shipping. I had them shipped right to Chris Livengood who I paid to rebuild them for $90 including shipping. Here is some info from his website:
Product Description
Rebuild Overview

Replace unknown factory shock fluid with Maxima fluid providing known damping properties
Purge air from damper system providing consistent performance throughout suspension travel
Proper bladder pressurization with purpose built tool means precise control of damping characteristics (standard tire gauges do not work for setting this pressure as the bladder volume is too small!)
Proper pressurization reduces oil cavitation and keeps the damper working consistently no matter how long or far you ride
The use of pure nitrogen eliminates moisture in the system while providing greater temperature stabilization compared to air
Apply friction reducing seal grease ensures smooth damper operation and longer seal life
Additionally, top out spring replacement is available, see below for details
The RFY shock rebuild includes: Maxima shock oil (3, 7, or 10 weight), complete inspection, charging with nitrogen, optimization of shock dimensions, complete reassembly, and high quality valve stem caps. Additionally, once the shocks have had their initial service, the cost is reduced to only $55 for each reoccurring service.

Top Out Spring Replacement and Preload Correction

Top out spring replacement removes the overly stiff and excessively tall factory spring. This accommodates greater travel in the sag component of your suspension travel. The replacement spring decreases the droop limit, meaning the shock has a longer travel than stock. Ultimately, this allows the setup of the shock to be maximized in both the compression and sag characteristics. Preload correction is applied in conjunction with the top out spring replacement and serves to reduce factory set preload as much as possible. This is ideal for lighter bikes and riders who may struggle to achieve popper sag. Note: this service may add up to 10mm to the total length of the shock.

Oil Weight

If you are uncertain on oil weight, generally speaking 7w is the best choice.

Spring Exchange

If you have springs that are not appropriate for you motorcycle there is a spring exchange service for both 340mm shocks and 320mm shocks.

Large Shocks

If you have shocks that are 380mm or longer please purchase with the large shocks option marked “Yes.” The additional charge is there to accommodate the greater oil volume required by large shocks as well as more expensive shipping requirements.

Service Time

Once I have received your shocks they will be serviced and return mailed within 7 days and usually quicker.

Shipping

Shipping is $10 on this item. The item is shipped 2 day priority.

Note: Once you have purchased/paid for this service you will receive the shipping address via email.

He is currently building a shock of his own design. The price point is supposed to be affordable. Here is a link to his site
chrislivengood.net/wp

Something new he is doing is offering Spherical bearings upgrade
chrislivengood.net/wp/product-category/shock-upgrades/
Jon
Jon
1977 KZ1000a1
Mesa, AZ
Phoenix Fighter Project

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 15:30 #703137

  • seanbarney41
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redhawk4 wrote: So is the shock I have the stock KZ1000 LTD one ? They seem pretty stiff and the adjusters are reluctant to turn although with just the hole in the collar there isn't much to get hold of.



Attachment shock.jpg not found

Those look like Mullholland brand shocks. They were made by somebody bigger and marketed for motorcycles. (Boge maybe?) I have a pair also for my KZ1000...they are supposed to be decent. I have not yet ridden the bike.

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 15:47 #703140

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I know they are not the originals since being a KZ1000A2 they would have been chrome, but I've been unable to find any identification marks that are obvious, at least without removing them. They look like the ones I've seen on LTD's but I'm 230lbs and even on the lowest spring setting they seem pretty hard. They are also a little shorter more like 12.75", I'd like to go a little longer to raise the rear a little, perhaps if I make a bigger effort to turn the adjusters this would help, but then they'd be harder still, but that may be OK. I just figured they must be old and therefore past their prime.
1978 KZ1000A2 Wiseco 1075 kit
1977 KZ650B1
1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V
1968 BSA Victor Special 441
2015 Triumph Thunderbird LT
1980 Suzuki SP400

Old enough to know better, still too young to care

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Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst 14 Dec 2015 16:25 #703149

  • kaw-a-holic
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pete greek1 wrote:

Kapahulu wrote: Koni's and Ikons are great. Here's my KZ900 with Koni's


How do you like that pipe? I bought one for my 900 a couple of yrs. ago but haven't started my rebuild yet, cant wait to hear it
Pete


I have the same pipe. Love the sound, its loud the videos do not do it justice. Not trying to hijack the thread.
Jon
1977 KZ1000a1
Mesa, AZ
Phoenix Fighter Project

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