Rear Shock Absorber Upgrade - Best to Worst

So is the shock I have the stock KZ1000 LTD one ? They seem pretty stiff and the adjusters are reluctant to turn although with just the hole in the collar there isn't much to get hold of.

Those look like food shocks. You might try some channel locks with leather to adjust then. Spanner wrenches are a PITA.
Steve

swest wrote: Those look like food shocks. You might try some channel locks with leather to adjust then. Spanner wrenches are a PITA.
Steve

"Food" shocks?

I meant good shocks. This new HP lap top wants to learn how to fly.
Steve

I bought RFY shocks on eBay for $90+shipping. I had them shipped right to Chris Livengood who I paid to rebuild them for $90 including shipping. Here is some info from his website:
Product Description
Rebuild Overview

Replace unknown factory shock fluid with Maxima fluid providing known damping properties
Purge air from damper system providing consistent performance throughout suspension travel
Proper bladder pressurization with purpose built tool means precise control of damping characteristics (standard tire gauges do not work for setting this pressure as the bladder volume is too small!)
Proper pressurization reduces oil cavitation and keeps the damper working consistently no matter how long or far you ride
The use of pure nitrogen eliminates moisture in the system while providing greater temperature stabilization compared to air
Apply friction reducing seal grease ensures smooth damper operation and longer seal life
Additionally, top out spring replacement is available, see below for details
The RFY shock rebuild includes: Maxima shock oil (3, 7, or 10 weight), complete inspection, charging with nitrogen, optimization of shock dimensions, complete reassembly, and high quality valve stem caps. Additionally, once the shocks have had their initial service, the cost is reduced to only $55 for each reoccurring service.

Top Out Spring Replacement and Preload Correction

Top out spring replacement removes the overly stiff and excessively tall factory spring. This accommodates greater travel in the sag component of your suspension travel. The replacement spring decreases the droop limit, meaning the shock has a longer travel than stock. Ultimately, this allows the setup of the shock to be maximized in both the compression and sag characteristics. Preload correction is applied in conjunction with the top out spring replacement and serves to reduce factory set preload as much as possible. This is ideal for lighter bikes and riders who may struggle to achieve popper sag. Note: this service may add up to 10mm to the total length of the shock.

Oil Weight

If you are uncertain on oil weight, generally speaking 7w is the best choice.

Spring Exchange

If you have springs that are not appropriate for you motorcycle there is a spring exchange service for both 340mm shocks and 320mm shocks.

Large Shocks

If you have shocks that are 380mm or longer please purchase with the large shocks option marked “Yes.” The additional charge is there to accommodate the greater oil volume required by large shocks as well as more expensive shipping requirements.

Service Time

Once I have received your shocks they will be serviced and return mailed within 7 days and usually quicker.

Shipping

Shipping is $10 on this item. The item is shipped 2 day priority.

Note: Once you have purchased/paid for this service you will receive the shipping address via email.

He is currently building a shock of his own design. The price point is supposed to be affordable. Here is a link to his site
chrislivengood.net/wp

Something new he is doing is offering Spherical bearings upgrade
chrislivengood.net/wp/product-category/shock-upgrades/
Jon

redhawk4 wrote: So is the shock I have the stock KZ1000 LTD one ? They seem pretty stiff and the adjusters are reluctant to turn although with just the hole in the collar there isn't much to get hold of.

Attachment shock.jpg not found

Those look like Mullholland brand shocks. They were made by somebody bigger and marketed for motorcycles. (Boge maybe?) I have a pair also for my KZ1000...they are supposed to be decent. I have not yet ridden the bike.

I know they are not the originals since being a KZ1000A2 they would have been chrome, but I've been unable to find any identification marks that are obvious, at least without removing them. They look like the ones I've seen on LTD's but I'm 230lbs and even on the lowest spring setting they seem pretty hard. They are also a little shorter more like 12.75", I'd like to go a little longer to raise the rear a little, perhaps if I make a bigger effort to turn the adjusters this would help, but then they'd be harder still, but that may be OK. I just figured they must be old and therefore past their prime.

pete greek1 wrote:

Kapahulu wrote: Koni's and Ikons are great. Here's my KZ900 with Koni's

How do you like that pipe? I bought one for my 900 a couple of yrs. ago but haven't started my rebuild yet, cant wait to hear it
Pete

I have the same pipe. Love the sound, its loud the videos do not do it justice. Not trying to hijack the thread.

swest wrote: Are parts for Hogs really made in CHINA?
Steve

When I built my custom '76 Shovel, 90% of the parts were from China, Thailand, etc. Everything I ordered from V-Twin Manufacturing was made in China.

Do those RFY shocks have shims?

Kidkawie wrote:

redhawk4 wrote: I like the look of the ZRX shocks on the KZ's and I'm sure they are a good unit, but all the ones I see for sale are $250-$350 a pair, that's a lot to pay for used IMO. Also they don't fit with the stock bushes do they?

I quite like the idea of going with something that has that obvious "not stock" look if I'm not going with a stock or regular replacement, something that looks like a performance upgrade .

I really like the ZRX shocks on my Z1. I still need to address the forks, but it's Suspension 101 to improve front and rear for best performance. But the ZRX shocks (freshly rebuilt) ride nice and plush.

There IS an Achilles Heel to the ZRX shocks and that's finding replacement parts. I didn't try KYB direct but looked everywhere for replacement bladders. I found one like 15mm longer, used on some MX bikes, fit fine so I went with it. There are some suspension shops that specialize in these shocks and I would recommend using them if someone needed a set rebuilt.

I also lowered modified the upper spring preload to accomodate the Z1.

Jamie over at Daugherty Motorsports rebuilds those ZRX shocks. I believe a full service for the two including respringing and revalving comes in at a little over $300. I had my full suspension done by him for my ZRX and couldn't be happier. $800 total, less than a set of worn used Ohlins shocks.

seanbarney41 wrote:

redhawk4 wrote: So is the shock I have the stock KZ1000 LTD one ? They seem pretty stiff and the adjusters are reluctant to turn although with just the hole in the collar there isn't much to get hold of.

Attachment shock.jpg not found

Those look like Mullholland brand shocks. They were made by somebody bigger and marketed for motorcycles. (Boge maybe?) I have a pair also for my KZ1000...they are supposed to be decent. I have not yet ridden the bike.

These are the Mulholland's on my 900 LTD



Pete

pete greek1 wrote:

Kapahulu wrote: How do you like that pipe? I bought one for my 900 a couple of yrs. ago but haven't started my rebuild yet, cant wait to hear it
Pete

The pipe was super loud. I removed the "baffle" that came with it - hardly a baffle at all. Then I put in a 2-stroke baffle and packed with some stainless steel wool. The bike is much quieter, doesn't wake up all the neighbors.