lower stance

I would like to give my XJ650 a lower look in the rear. With it being a shaft drive modifying the shock mounts is not wise so my only other posibility would be to put shorter shocks. So my question is does anyone know of a shock that woud work? I thought about cutting the springs but that would only make the shock bottom out or blow out.

 

You can buy shorter ones since they come in all different lengths but not by much, maybe just 1/2" but possibly up to an inch shorter depending on what size you have now. Stop by the Harley dealer in your area that has used parts for sale and you can look at some in person or in all the catalogs they have. They aren't cheap though and I wouldn't recomment it unless yours need replacement.

 

I lowered mine 3" with struts.

 

Thanks ArizonaSteve for the feedback. I'm in the process of making solid brackets to turn it into a ridged and see how well my hemroids hold up. It's been a few years sence I rode a hard tail buy I sure miss it. If it does'nt go well I'll put some hog shocks on it.

 

Got any pics of your struts Kev? If you don't mind sharin your design?

 

3/4" squarestock with holes 9 1/2" on center.

No good pics but for a reference as to how low it put me, check the rear fender clearance on these 2 shots.

 

Thanx a million thats exactly what I had in mind. I'm thinking of using round stock to keep it uniform with the frame. Thats a nice bike by the way. Is it a 650? Maxim?After I lower it I plan on raking it 45% depending on how much rood I have after lowering.

 

DO the struts effect the ride at all - I know the ride would be rougher, but does it effect handling or anything else like that??

 

Yes, 650 Maxim. As for the ride/handling, I'll let you know, I'm still working throught ignition problems and it's also below freezing around here. I haven't riddent it since the conversion.

 

Looks great, did you modifey the side stand? I lowered the front forks on my 85 X about 2" & with the bars to the right, it's about to tip over.

 

I loweredmy 1985 xj 7oo by useing 1986 750cc virago shocks and cut about 1.5 inches off the top of the spings. I haven't had any handling issues. However I did have to modify my kickstand and it's a bit more of a challenge to get it on the center stand.

 

I'm interested to know how it rides, I'm also wondering how this would effect the rear end and the gears, namely, is it going to put alot of undue wear and strain on the shaft or the differential? It might be perfectly fine, its just a thought I had after seeing your pics

 

I have not made changes to the sidestand yet, although I will have to soon enough. Just haven't gotten to it yet. As for the shaft, I don't think the struts are puting itat an angle any greater than the travel of the suspension would, so no, I'm not really worried about it.

 

Built and installed my struts today. Looks pretty good. I used 1" steel pipe squared the ends and capped them drill my holes 9 3/4" on center. This put my drive shaft horizontal to the engine so theres no undue ware. Solved the kickstand problem be heating it up until it started bending to where I felt comfortable. I'll have pics as soon as I can. Seat and fenders are next.

 

Once you lower the rear (shocks or strut method), do you have to lower the front end as well? If so, how would one go about that? I've heard of people pushing forks up in the trees, but I'm not sure I see how to do that (and it's too cold in my garage to go look at it right now). If you do lower the front this way, will it affect the handling?

 

I didn't lower the front end but I did try it just didn't like it. And yes thats how I lowered the front. The forks just slide easy( used a jackstand to support the bike) and Tighten the bolts when you like the location.

 

As far as lowering the front I'm goint to leave it alone I'm too old school. But I've heard of folks cutting the spring to lower. And now for the question of the drive shaft if you don't lower or raise it to where the shaft is at an angle it will have no effect on shaft at all as a matter of fact you have more ware on the shaft with the shocks on. I'm even considering remove shaft housing so that I can possibly put a wider tire. I'll have to custom a new housing to protect the ends. I have the tectnology and the tools I can make him better,faster "oops sorry I had a six million dollar man flashback". I just hope the ridged does kill my 50 year old butt.

 

XJJeff,
I needed the same thing for my 750 Seca chop project. I ended up making a pair of shock extentions, that move the bottom of the shock back 3", which lowered the rear about 1-1/2" to 2". I worked great. Sorry I don't have the photos, I'm working on getting them all on here.
I also got the rear wheel off of a 650 Maxim and installed that, which dropped the rear another 2", BUT, it also changed the gearing. The engine runs higher RPMs at highway speed due to the smaller rim/tire size. I am doing some research on how to find the gear out of the Maxim (parts bike) that will step the gearing back to normal. That's what I'm working on now. >PD<

 

I thought about doing the extention mod but was concerned about the force of pushing the hub in a backward motion every time I hit a bump. It may not do any harm but it was a concern I didn't care for besides I'm too lazy to try.:{

 

typo---I hope the ridged "does NOT kill my butt"

 

Have you thought of getting a tire that is low profile so you can put the old wheel back on? Trying to re-gear will be a lot of work.

 

You guys are right about the shaft angel, I was more thinking about the shock force of hitting a bump which the shaft might incur from no being rigid. What do you guys think? an I just over thinking this?

 

Your more likely to blow out a tire or your hemroids before you could cause damage to the drive train.