question about shocks?

I bought some shorter shocks for my bike and the metal insert that the bolts go through is smaller on the new shocks than on the originals. Also the rubber piece is smaller and i'm wondering if anyone knows where i may buy the metal insert and the rubber piece that goes around it so i can make them fit and put them on. It is all for an 85' XJ700 Maxim.

 

Take the old ones out of the longer shocks.

 

i did but on the newer, shorter shocks the actual top, round part of the newer shocks is smaller so the rubber insert from the older shocks is to big to fit into the newer ones

 

It sounds like you got shocks for a Harley instead of the ones you need to fit your bike. There's always ebay.

 

i looked on ebay but all i can find is the 12.5" that i already have and i want some 11". If anyone knows where to find some this size that will match up correctly please let me know

 

Naturally all you are going to find on ebay are ones that fit since nobody would be successful selling ones the wrong size.

 

Supposedly, Virago shocks bolt up. Take this with a grain of salt; I have not done it YET. I've got some coming next week, I'll let you know.

 

Have you thought about shaving the the old rubber insert down until it fits? I took my rear blinker mounts off, cut them down to fit inside the blinker housing itself & clamped it for a more narrow look but still keeping the style

 

Force the Bumpers on the end of a wood dowel.
Trim the dowel to fit your drill and chuck-it up.

Spin the dowel and sand-down the Bumper while it spinning in the drill.
Makes sanding-down outside diameters real easy!

 

Cycle recycle usually has shorter shocks for XJ's, but it looks like they're out of stock right now. Might be worth giving them a call, especially since you're so close to them (they're here in Indy) to see if they've still got any.

 

Savage shocks ('95) are 10.5 and usually avaiable on ebay. CRC has 11" for ~$80.

 

i talked to a guy today out of new york who owns a salvage place there and he said that for that metal bushing you can use anything from metal to copper to even pvc pipe if you want cause its just to keep the rubber from hitting the metal. I put straight bars on today and anxious to drop the rear of the bike and then start on my seat. Thanx for all the ideas.