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fork / shock replacements
- coach59
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Anyway, so far, I've cleaned the carbs, had the valves adjusted, changed the plugs, replaced the front tire, lubed the chain and cables, installed a new fuel tank, changed the oil and recharged the battery. Now, I'm interested in replacing the shocks. I'm told one option is to intall a set of "Progressive" shocks - front and rear. I don't know much about this - or if there are other options available. Looking for ideas - and or wisdom.
The bike has 15K miles on it - and it's my first bike. I'm 6 feet tall and weigh approx. 300 lbs - so I'm a little sensitive to making sure I don't "bottom-out" as I ride - especially in local traffic riding.
Looking forward to the time when the bleeding stops for a bit!
Thanks
TH
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- 650ed
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Hagon
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- Patton
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...'82 KZ750 LTD..."Progressive" shocks - front and rear...15K miles on it...weigh approx. 300 lbs - so I'm a little sensitive to making sure I don't "bottom-out" as I ride....
Progressive shocks (rear suspension) are excellent shocks, and Progressive springs for the front forks are excellent springs.
Rear shock spring rate is important. Some springs have progressive rates. Almost all shocks have pre-load adjustments (usually 5 different positions) for setting the beginning spring resistance.
Imo, a 1982 KZ750 LTD with only 15K miles may still have some life remaining in the shocks, although the oem shocks are probably inferior to good after-market shocks. And the oem springs are likely pretty stiff.
Regarding rider weight, the oem shocks, set with some spring pre-load, should be okay with rider and passenger plus luggage (well over 300 lbs) and not bottom out.
Would test ride with rear shocks set at maximum pre-load. Then test again at next softer pre-load . . . etc.
Am thinking that shocks and springs don't deteriorate from lack of use.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- mjg15
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'80 Z750fx
'81 KZ550A
'81 GPz550's, Too many!
'82 KZ1000R
'82 GPz750
'90 ZR550
Project photo album: s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...GPz-ZR550%20project/
s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...current=DSC01286.jpg
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- 650ed
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The stock shocks were junk on day one, even for a 160lb person. Get some quality replacement shocks with the correct rate springs and also get a set of matching fork springs. It's the best improvement that you can make for your bike.
I don't know about 1 day, but I do know that the stock rear shocks on my KZ650 (I bought it new) were shot by about 12k miles. The front have never been a problem, I use Bel Ray 15w fork oil (changed every 2 years) with the original springs and after about 50k miles the front still works great. I weigh 200 lbs and my wife is something (she won;t tell) over 100 lbs; riding 2-up presents no problems at all for my suspension. If it was my bike, I would replace the rear shocks, flush and change the fork oil using 15 weight Bel Ray, and see if it feels good. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- PLUMMEN
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drain the old nasty fork oil out of there and replace with reccomended amount but use 10/30 synthetic motor oil in place of that thin ass 10w crap,i think youll be happy with the differance it makes
Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- Nebr_Rex
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measure your front fork springs,if theyre within spec no reason to change them.
drain the old nasty fork oil out of there and replace with reccomended amount but use 10/30 synthetic motor oil in place of that thin ass 10w crap,i think youll be happy with the differance it makes
+1
Did it on my KZ1000st,helped a lot.
It is a quick and easy fix.
Stock suspention on the st's sucked from day 1,(wollowing pig in the corners).
Then I rebuilt them, added progressive fork springs and a valve spring off a v-8 under the dampner rod.
Also changed the valving by adding a restriction(emulator ?) between the dampner rod and fork spring.
For the rear,a set of Marzzochi shocks off of e-bay.
Still sorting spring rates and they are leaking a little and will get rebuilt this winter
Used progressive shocks before that and had good results.
They are gas pressurised and spring rates up to 120/170.
Hope this helps with your situation.
2002 ZRX1200R
81 GPz1100
79 KZ1000st daily ride
79 KZ1000mk2 prodject
78 KZ650sr
78 KZ650b
81 KZ750e
80 KZ750ltd
77 KZ400/440 cafe project
76 KZ400/440 Fuel Injected
www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39120.0
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