Air Shcoks 1979F

[Lettuceman]

I would like to add air shocks to my 1979F bagger as it has a heavy 300#+ rider.

This Ebay listing shows a 13" air shock. My current shocks seem to be 12.5" and this is confirmed by posts on this site.

Will a 13" air shock maintain a level acceptable ride in place of a 12.5"? Is this a big difference? Most posts seem to be adjusting to less than 12.5" so is that extra half inch upwards a big deal? Any opinions on the $180 cost as high, low or about normal?

Link to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YAMAH...Q5fAccessories

[cywelchjr]

Look for a set of XJ shocks. They slip right on if you just rotate them 180 from normal so that the air line fits across without hitting the helmet lock, and are the same length, rebuildable if needed and handle better and handle heavier loads than the original shocks without raising the bike in the process.

I am running 44psi on mine and with the original shocks on the highest setting I used to scrape if I pulled into my driveway too fast, now I don't ever scrape (watch, it'll scrape tonight ).

You can even put them on normally if you lose the helmet lock and it's bracket (although that's not reversible if you do it), or by swapping them side to side, but that means pressing the lower bushings out and swapping them since their not the same size side to side, which can also be a problem for aftermarket shocks if not specifically made for our bikes.

I got my XJ shocks for like $30 which is hecka cheaper than new ones that won't fit just right and will make the bike another 1/2 inch taller, and these things are tall for a lot of riders already.

PS, I'm 300#+ also, and the XJ shocks handle it just fine, they even ride smoother even with higher pressure (max is 57psi so I have some to spare as well).