ZRX Rear shocks on a XS?

[WMarshy]

Anyone ever look into using a set of rear shocks from a Kawasaki ZRX? What lengths are our shocks, 12.5-13 inches eye to eye?

[natemoen]

Anyone ever look into using a set of rear shocks from a Kawasaki ZRX? What lengths are our shocks, 12.5-13 inches eye to eye?

ours are 12.5 eye to eye.

[Bonz]

Heck, I haven't tried it, but my other bike IS a 2001 ZRX 1200... No kidding!

I just checked the ZRX forum, and a used set of stock shocks is gonna run about $250 or thereabouts.

When the stock shocks wore out on my 80SG, I put a pair of Honda Shadow 1100 used shocks on the rear for about $80 off of ebay. Bike rides great, and I don' t know for sure, but IF the rear shocks from a ZRX would work, could the XS benefit a whole lot from them? The limits of the XS aren't defined by the rear shocks, in my opinion, but just the age of the bike and the relative performance it was capable of from the get go.

Since I do have both bikes, I can say unequivocally I have smaller chicken strips on the XS, and much larger ones on the ZRX, and I go over much further in cornering lean on the ZRX. With that said, hitting a bump mid-corner on the XS makes it unhappy (squirms the rear end around), whereas the ZRX has good composure. Is that a function of the shocks or the frame, etc? I don't know, so that's why I ask if someone who knows more than I do.

BUT if you have a set of ZRX shocks staring you in the face for a good deal, let us know if they fit! I don't have the need or gumption to change them out to find out if they are a swap.

[WMarshy]

I see a set on craigslist for $250 and a set on ebay for $150 right now... Being used on a similarly sized bike as ours I figured they would be a good candidate for replacement shocks. Plus the adjustability they offer is probably the most apealing part, that and they are probably rebuildable. I juat think they will compliment my bike when I get around to modding it. Im going to put them on my watchlist for longterm goal, assuming they will fit!

hbonser, any idea what the eye to eye measurement is on those ZRX shocks?

[oldyam80sg]

But they will not be cheap-even used ones.The stock shocks on a ZRX are big time $$$.Once in awhile i see them on the forum and will keep on looking.

[WMarshy]

But they will not be cheap-even used ones.The stock shocks on a ZRX are big time $$$.Once in awhile i see them on the forum and will keep on looking.

I see that, the ones I was looking at on ebay went from 99 to 150 and still have one more day left at auction....

I just asked a guy that has a set on for sale on craigslist what they measure eye to eye and he said 14.5"... Not sure they would work, thats a little long.

[Rooster]

Did he get that measurement with them on the bike? I think that the original # of 12.5 is on the chassis. The other problem you may encounter are the bushings in the ends. I bought a ohlins knock off reservoir shock cause I wanted the ZRX shocks, but lacked the cash. All I had to do was press out the bottom bushings from the old shocks and exchange them into the new ones. Also the cool yellow springs on the aftermarket shocks were way to soft so I also had to move the old chrome springs over to to the new shocks. All this said it was an enjoyable morning to get the look and feel of better performance.

[WMarshy]

14.5" was the free length, he said he looked in the "book". I reasearched the ZRX sites and.they said they were 14.5" also... I don't have the funds for ZRX shocks anyways so I started looking for shocks locally off of some Harley's and think I found some new ones that were removed to lower the bike. Those are about 13" or a little less eye to eye and I can probably get them for $50.

[WMarshy]

Found these shocks...

"Brand new pair of takeoff shocks from a 2006 flhr Harley Davidson. Shocks were taken off after putting low rider kit on bike. These were taken off a new bike. Measures about 13 inches eyelet to eyelet. Make me an offer..."


http://syracuse.craigslist.org/mcy/2388717815.html

I offered him $50 and we settled on $60 Anyone use a paid of HD shocks before? I think its worth a ride down to look at them. If they dont work well I will put them on ebay and make my money back I guess!

[bikerphil]

Those look like air shocks. I have used Dyna shocks on my XS before, no compression damping and sprung a bit too heavy.

[WMarshy]

Those look like air shocks. I have used Dyna shocks on my XS before, no compression damping and sprung a bit too heavy.

Yes they are air shocks. I was looking on Ebay at the same exact pair and see they have an air line that connects the two... not sure if that is necessary or not... Im starting to reconsider using them, I dont want to change the ride height and they are an inch taller also. Might continue searching, I see the Honda Shadow shocks are a direct bolt on but there are no good deals on them that I can find yet. Thanks for the advice Phil.

[bikerphil]

I've picked up some nice S&W's on ebay listed as xs1100 factory shocks. Best type for good handling, JMHO. Showa Shadow shocks are more for comfort riding. JMO

[crazy steve]

Found these shocks...

"Brand new pair of takeoff shocks from a 2006 flhr Harley Davidson. Shocks were taken off after putting low rider kit on bike. These were taken off a new bike. Measures about 13 inches eyelet to eyelet. Make me an offer..."


http://syracuse.craigslist.org/mcy/2388717815.html

I offered him $50 and we settled on $60 Anyone use a paid of HD shocks before? I think its worth a ride down to look at them. If they dont work well I will put them on ebay and make my money back I guess!

That's a decent price for those shocks; they're pretty popular as 'upgrade' shocks on some of the lighter HD bikes.

But fitting them to the XS isn't easy; HD uses a 1/2" stud size, the XS is .550", so you'll have to drill three of the four bushings. They also have a wider bushing (.950" vs .800" for the XS), so you'll have to mod the lower right one.