I think I am in need of a New Suspension...

So, I have finally hit 8,000 miles and both my front and rear suspension are leaking oil slowly, and if I hit a decent size dip at about 25+ mph my rear suspension bottoms out.

So I think it is a good time to rebuild and replace my suspension. I do not know that much about suspension, and I know it has been talked about quite a bit here, but I can't seem to find anything about the XJ700.

I want to go with progressives front and rear, (12 series vs 412?) do you folks by any chance have a specific model number for what I need?

Front:
just the spring? (do I need anything else due to the leak?)

Rear:
just one set, black or chrome doesn't matter. ( I may lean towards the black.)

Any other recommendations?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

Front: You'll need new oil seals and several other bits of hardware....chacal will help you out getting everything you need, he explains a lot in his catalog (xj4ever banner at the top of your screen)

Rear-go to the progressive suspension website, the difference between the 12's and the 412's is that the 412's are already assembled, or so they say (seems a bit implausible to me since for mine 412's only come in chrome and 12's come in chrome and black, ymmv.)

 

Definitely go with the Progresive shocks on the rear. I've got some 440's on my MaximX and love them! They're shorter, to drop the rear, so less travel, but I got them in a heavier spring rate. Think Harley dresser weight. I thought they'd feel stiff, but they ride really nice.

For the fronts... With 8k on the clock, I'd be surprised if there's anything wrong with the original springs. And I could be wrong, but I think the stock ones are progressive anyway. I know they were on the X. Change your fork seals and oil and see how they feel. If you still feel like you want new springs, they're pretty easy to change out after the fact.

 

Progressive Suspension or Works Performance fork springs would be an improvement over stock; even stock ones in good shape. Inexpensive upgrade; one I highly recommend.

 

I found somebody that made me slightly heavier springs - I retained the original shocks. No more bottoming out. Despite the nay sayers the damping side of the original shocks still works fine and the bike handles very well. Of course if your's are leaking then its total replacement time

 

Just my 2 cents :
my brother swapped out the rear shocks on his 97 honda magna and I took his old 12" pair. bolted right up to the 82 650 Seca, and rides great.

 

Yeah, I wish I could reuse them;
If the bike did not leen on the kick stand my breaks would be drenched in oil....

 

not surprising; your XJ900 came with premium rear shocks compared to what came on most of the other XJs, especially the less-sporty "cruiser" styled bikes.