Shocks

[Keithh]

Greetings all,

Now that the bike seems to be starting with regularity (don't speak too loud) I'm looking at the next upgrade - just can't stop tinkering with it!

I know the original shocks leave a lot to be desired. Just wondering what folks have had success with in upgrading. Looking to get off E-Bay - not new off the shelf. I have financial limits!

Also, being somewhat vertically challenged, I was thinking about going with a 12 inch verses 12.5 inch length. Anyone has experience with that - does it help much? Does it affect handling to any significant degree?

Any thoughts appreciated!

Keith

[BA80]

There are 2 things to consider with shortened shocks..

1) lowering the ride height will decrease your clearance when leaning in turns. It'll be easier to drag a peg.


2) There is a greater possibility of the rear wheel bottoming out in the rear fender. There are things inside that rear fender you don't want the tire rubbing on. I'm not sure what all is up in astandard fender but I have seen the plasic inner fender and TCI melted from tire rub on specials after shorter shocks were installed.

[650mark]

shocks

the shocks on my '80 special are 1/2" shorter than stock. works performance units, work great but for the p.o. they were hellaciously expensive($500). they make the bike just lower enough so that when on the sidestand the bike is sitting almost verticle. in other words it doesn't lean to the left very much so i must be carefull when i park to make sure the bars are all the way to the left so the bike can't fall over to the right side. so i use the centerstand and no problem.

[DGXSER]

A couple options that are improvements for you would be the SHOWA shocks off a Honda, and the XJ air shocks. I put a set of XJ shocks on my SH and notice a definite improvement. They are also more adjustable by changing the air pressure.

[Yard Dogg]

Have you considered shaving your seat? There is more than enough foam on these things to do that. I put a solo seat on my old Midnight and the bike was shorter and way more comfortable because I was laid back on it. I hate the way the stock seat makes me sit straight up, it tires me out. After that you can add yourself some highway pegs and you'll be riding in a recliner.

[BA80]

the shocks on my '80 special are 1/2" shorter than stock. works performance units, work great but for the p.o. they were hellaciously expensive($500). they make the bike just lower enough so that when on the sidestand the bike is sitting almost verticle. in other words it doesn't lean to the left very much so i must be carefull when i park to make sure the bars are all the way to the left so the bike can't fall over to the right side. so i use the centerstand and no problem.

OK, 3 things. I hadn't thought of how it would sit on the sidestand.

[Keithh]

Thanks for the input - some things I hadn't considered, but now will be part of the equation!

[tweeleft]

Hello. I installed shocks off a. 1100 virago. They are one inch shorter. Having a 29 inch inseam I sit almost flat footed. Haven't rubbed the rear tires or pegs yet and she handles a little better. Good luck.

[tweeleft]

The issue I do have is the side stand she sit a little more straight up so I have to take care parking. Good luck

[XS1100carbon]

shock eye size

Does anyone know the correct size of the eyes (10mm,12mm,14mm)for ordering new shocks?

[WSL91]

Like some of the others here my XS shocks were junk and I replaced them with XJ Shocks, the improvement is nothing short of spectacular. I can't believe how much better it rides and handles rough pavement.

[BA80]

Like some of the others here my XS shocks were junk and I replaced them with XJ Shocks, the improvement is nothing short of spectacular. I can't believe how much better it rides and handles rough pavement.

+1 on that.

[bikerphil]

Does anyone know the correct size of the eyes (10mm,12mm,14mm)for ordering new shocks?

They are all 14MM except the lower right side mount is a 10MM.

[DGXSER]

With the XJ I found I needed to swap the shocks from left side to right. The rubber bushings can be pressed out and swapped from one side to another. Meanig, I would think you could press the ones out of your XS shocks and press them into the replacement shocks if need be.

[BA80]

They fit just fine without swapping them if you remove the helmet lock.