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Bolt on solid rear struts......Lowering question???????

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by smokeater, Dec 10, 2012.

  1. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    OK, so Im about to embark on a bob here on my 81 xj650 but i have a question. I havent seen many people lowering/hardtailing with solid rear struts? why is this? Is this a bad idea? I dont think im ready to pull the trigger on a permenant hardtail mod until I have ridden one for a while.

    My other question in how low can you go? I ask this because Im worried about the shaft angle......

    can anyone offer insight as to whether or not the shaft angle can be parallel to the ground or even lower? Im pretty sure I have seen it lower on here

    thanks in advance!
     
    smokeater, Dec 10, 2012
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  2. skillet

    skillet Active Member

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    At least it would give you some idea about the ride (by useing struts). (No personal experience) Have read that struts are harder than hardtail, no give with struts. There is actually some give on a hardtail. Not sure how much of an angle you can put on the shaft. I know that you can go as far as low as 10 1/2" shocks...

    skillet
     
    skillet, Dec 10, 2012
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  3. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    I have heard of a 9" strut being used on here but I'm lookin for experience with it.
     
    smokeater, Dec 11, 2012
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  4. skillet

    skillet Active Member

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    Haven't read about the 9" struts. Also (something to remember), IMHO you'll need at least 4 1/2" ground clearance after you drop it (exhausts included)...

    skillet
     
    skillet, Dec 12, 2012
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  5. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    Ya i Have read all about the 4 1/2" ground clearance but isnt that with shocks.....I know youll have some give with those. My headers Will be open and my struts will be solid so.....no clearance issue besides leaning into turns and no give in the ride....that only leaves the shaft angle.
     
    smokeater, Dec 12, 2012
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  6. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    keep a eye on the mounting studs, they were made for a shock to take some of the force of a impact with struts the studs will have to take it all. the length will have to be real close or the swingarm is going to want to twist.
    if you measure a fully compressed shock, the u-joint should take that angle easy, no idea what it is though
     
    Polock, Dec 12, 2012
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  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Right. Nothing to worry about there... 8O
     
    bigfitz52, Dec 12, 2012
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  8. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    X2 on being weary of the mounting tabs only being made to handle the stresses of a shock, not a strut.
     
    mtnbikecrazy55, Dec 12, 2012
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  9. Orange-n-Black

    Orange-n-Black Well-Known Member

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    I'm with what Polock and Skillet said.
    A few people have done the struts before, but they don't look quite right because the angle of the struts don't follow the lines of the frame. You could mount the struts lower on the frame to match the lines, but that would require making some new mounts.
    Just keep in mind that a hardtail can be hard on the tail. :lol:
    Hardtails also require different riding principles for cornering.
     
    Orange-n-Black, Dec 12, 2012
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  10. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    Im aware that there is going to be a rougher than normal ride and the riding principle changes quite a bit....thats why im a little gunshy on welding a hardtail....I have the oppurtunity to use a great bike builder to weld my tail up(full fab, not the swingarm weld)I just cant pull the trigger on that yet...its to permanent for me to never have ridden one before.

    with that being said I hadnt thought of the studs being a weak link in the chain.....I know they sell solid struts all day for sportsers and other bikes...why would an XJ be any different?
     
    smokeater, Dec 12, 2012
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  11. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    keep in mind as well folks...this is gonna be my "cruise to work" bike as an alternative to my 5.3L V8 earth destroyer 3000....not a long range rider.
     
    smokeater, Dec 12, 2012
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  12. Orange-n-Black

    Orange-n-Black Well-Known Member

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    The Sportster studs may have been over-engineered to accept struts while the 30 year old XJ was engineered for shocks only. I would check the condition of the frame carefully and use the struts for a "short time" to see how the hardtail will feel.
    Then make the decision to mod or not.
     
    Orange-n-Black, Dec 12, 2012
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  13. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    Another way would to just go for it....instead of welding the swingarm to the down tube could you bolt it to the stock shock mount?
     
    smokeater, Dec 16, 2012
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  14. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    i found the top studs on mine bent slightly when i got it and their still like that but i watched them for awhile. don't know how they got bent but it probably had something to do with a fat chick on the back, so they will bend.
    try it for awhile, just keep a eye on them. definitely bolt on if you ever want to back to shocks
     
    Polock, Dec 16, 2012
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  15. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    Cool thanks I think I will. Do you have a pic of yours the way it sits? Also how long are your struts?
     
    smokeater, Dec 30, 2012
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  16. Demin

    Demin Member

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    I strutted my 700 and never had any problems.But like what has been said keep an eye on the studs.I ride a Suzuki Savage that has struts,I've put about 10,000 miles on it on Oh,Pa. roads
     
    Demin, Dec 30, 2012
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  17. smokeater

    smokeater Member

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    dang I know about them OH roads...My inlaws live up in Medina. Thanks for the input
     
    smokeater, Dec 30, 2012
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