Shorty Shocks

[Bartolucci]

I've been toying with some low-cost ideas for customizing my XS twin and one thing I was wondering about was lowering the bike by way of shorter shocks. Seems like this was an issue with my old shaft-driven 11, but not with a chain drive. Curious if anyone has any experience or words of wisdom on this. My stock shocks are about 11.5" eyelet to eyelet. There are lots of 10.5 "lowering" shocks out there on Ebay, but they are advertised for H.Ds. I don't know if they would be interchangeable.

Winter's here and I'm dreaming of spring . . .

[fredintoon]

I've been toying with some low-cost ideas for customizing my XS twin and one thing I was wondering about was lowering the bike by way of shorter shocks. Seems like this was an issue with my old shaft-driven 11, but not with a chain drive. Curious if anyone has any experience or words of wisdom on this. My stock shocks are about 11.5" eyelet to eyelet. There are lots of 10.5 "lowering" shocks out there on Ebay, but they are advertised for H.Ds. I don't know if they would be interchangeable.

Winter's here and I'm dreaming of spring . . .

Hi Tony,
check out the MikesXS site. It's strictly for XS650 parts but a whole bunch of XS650 stuff bolts straight on to other XS series bikes. They do sell shortie shocks.
Be aware that lowering the bike's rear end lets the pegs etc, drag on the road at a shallower lean angle, can lean the bike at too upright an angle on the sidestand and can make it a real workout to lift the bike onto it's centrestand.
You can of course shorten the stands to suit but that won't stop the bike dragging on corners.

[Bartolucci]

Hi Tony,
check out the MikesXS site. It's strictly for XS650 parts but a whole bunch of XS650 stuff bolts straight on to other XS series bikes. They do sell shortie shocks.
Be aware that lowering the bike's rear end lets the pegs etc, drag on the road at a shallower lean angle, can lean the bike at too upright an angle on the sidestand and can make it a real workout to lift the bike onto it's centrestand.
You can of course shorten the stands to suit but that won't stop the bike dragging on corners.

Couldn't find any short shocks on MikesXS site. Another XS650 site suggested Honda Rebel shocks and claimed that they are 10" to 10.5" eye to eye, but every pair on Ebay that had a measurement listed puts them at 11.6" e. to e. (which is about what I'm running now). Puzzling.