xj 750 cut shocks

i have a 82 xj750 i want to lower the bike but my shocks have a chrome case around them. any ideas?

 

Not sure if it was on this forum or not, but there was a guy who cut down the chrome cover enough to be able to dissasemble his shocks and cut the coil, leaving a shorter sleeve behind.

Personally I wouldn't cut my shock coils, but I got lucky when I got mine for the cost of a pint. :wink:

 

Chances are they're the originals anyway so why not just trash 'em and buy shorter replacements? Just be careful you don't go so short as to cause a tire-to-whatever clearance issue.

 

how about where to get aftermarket shocks and how big would you guys think

 

Mine were takeoff's from a 2006 Harley Sportster.

I had to replace the bushings and grind off some of the width of the eye on the shaft side for a good fit... But like I said, I got them for a pint.

Also, my bike is a 83 650, so someone on her might be able to tell you if the sportster-shock option will work for your 750.

 

someone has a bike with air bag, u can sue small car shox or i believe they make them for 1 harley model

 

The best way to do this (and I don't recommend it but this will work) would be to remove your shocks, and disassemble one to remove the spring. Reinstall the springless one, roll the bike off the stand and see how much clearance you have with the shock fully collapsed. The you can decide how much length you can afford to lose without rubbing. Order the appropriate length aftermarket shocks and you're in business. Lots available out there, I'm running Progressive 12-series (STOCK length) myself that I got from Bike Bandit.

 

I bought 10" heavy spring shocks for $150 a pair. Someone here got some off ebay for $30.

 

thanks guys this will help

 

how about making brakets to lower the bottom mounts about 2 inches? would this work? has anyone done this?

 

Someone had posted a great article (link) on shortening shocks and extending mounts. It made some excellent points about the over all geometry and how it could effect bike handling.

Search out spring shortening and you should run across it. Worth the read.

 

I'm all about going the other way, with some 14" harley sporster units. I was curious about the effects on handling and drivetrain wear... thanks for the advice bill.

the best way to go is purchasing a set of shock/springs that are the desired size. much easier than making a semi-permanent modification to the frame. i'm pretty sure you can't modify the mounts to lower the bike as it would involve placing the mount below the swingarm or above the rear frame members. though i hesitate to say "can't"

 

Please measure the shocks on your 750 and post the length from center-to-center.

I just bought a parts bike and it was ridden by a 5'3" woman. The shocks are shorter than my stock XJ650. She claimed that the shocks are fairly new. I will measure the short shocks and post the length later tonight.

 

I just blew out a shock on my 900, and I'm stealing the air shocks off the turbo bike. Should take 10 minutes.

Shooter- - I don't think car shocks on a bike would work very well.

 

no, not car shocks.... well car air bag shocks... yamaha4life.. something like that, put them on his bike

 

I have shortened two pairs of shocks for these XJs and it quite easy. You will need to compress the shock to get the spring keeper off. Then only cut 1" off the spring. That should give you about 1 - 1/2" of drop in the rear of the bike. Any more will cause them to bottom out too easy.
I shortened Seca and Maxim shocks with success.

 

thanks guys i cut about 4 inches off the coils no prob. now the bike sits low.

 

I tried cutting the coils on mine. The problem I saw with it was when you come off a bump and your shocks extend all the way the spring can jump off center on the shock. I put stock Honda 250 rebel shocks on mine.

 

The stock shocks on my XJ650 Maxim are 12" center-to-center.

The after market shock on my parts bike are 11" center-to-center.

 

lol yeah i have the air shocks :lol: still riding them aired out my 130 edge is right at the frame i have about 1.5"-2" before the tire hits the top of the fender