Maxim rear shock compatibility

I’d like to replace the rear shocks on an 82 xj650 maxim and was wondering if anyone has any knowledge on model compatibility. It looks like the xj 550 650 700 and 750s may be able to use the same shocks. Thanks for any insight on this.

 

Are you wanting new, or used?
Do you care about retaining the same adjustments?

 

Some of The 750 maxim one look identical but have heavier springs.... feiw

 

I’m looking for a nice used set and wanted to broaden the possibilities as far as being able to find a good clean pair. I’m pretty sure I won’t need to make load adjustments

 

Unless you're a 135 pound Japanese man, you will need to make adjustmnts to preload ( at the least).

750 Seca shocks should do ya if you can't find a usd 650 Maxim set.

 

For that matter, you could install the air shocks from other 750 maxims, or from the 650 turbo.

Virago shock are close, too.....

 

Heavier springs sounds fine. Wonder if they would mount ok, without modification

 

They bolt right up.
I know that for a FACT.

750 shocks on my black full dresser in my gallery.

Virago shocks on my 700 pseudo in the gallery

 

Do the virago shocks lower it a bit? Pseudo Bob looks low in the rear. Or else tall in the front. I like that setup.

 

They're only about 1/2" shorter +/-.

The reason it LOOKS so much shorter is that everything done gives the optical illusion of being lowered, slammed, stretched, whatever......

What makes it look so much lower?
1. Backrest removed
2. Rear seat removed
3. Front seat cut way down, back of seat reshape do
4. Harley bobtail fender installed
5. virago shock that actually do lower it a tiny bit
6. Handlebars rotated up a couple degree to make the front appear higher

 

park it a little ditch or don't cut the grass

 

I am having an issue with my rear shocks. My local mechanic was helping me with some balancing issues with the front wheel and took my XJ900RL for spin and told me afterwards that he things the rear is too springy and my shocks could be done for.
I looked into the shocks in the manual and there seems to be no way to service them like the front shocks. They are a disposable item. In this context is it wise to get a used pair? Would this not be the equivalent to buying used brake pads? (I know there is a cost diff here).
How can one check the quality/remaining life span of a used pair of rear shocks?

p.s. I know that this question may better serve the community as a separate post. If so, let me know and I will create it.

p.s.s On closer inspection, my RL is one of the 31a models. According to the workshop manual, these are fitted with "DeCarbon shocks" Yamaha specifies that before disposal, these shocks should have the nitrogen gas in the reservoir released before throwing them out!

 

I don’t think it would similar to buying used brake pads. Significant safety issue there. You could spend $25 delivered on a good looking used set or $75 on a new aftermarket set. I guess it depends on how deep the pockies are.

 

ok, bad analogy. Though the safety issue is still there. worn shocks could be a serious issue in curves when the road is in bad shape. Traction issue.
This is what I think I have been noticing but because I do not have a lot of experience riding other bikes, it is hard for me to tell if it is the rider or the bike or how much of either

 

I guess it boils down to how you would feel putting on a properly working used pair. Would you feel at ease? If so, go for it. These bikes have a lot of other original older critical parts, lets not forget

 

I see your point.
Is there a way to see what condition the shock is in without mounting it to the bike and basically bouncing around on it.
Some more scientific method?

 

Have somebody else mount it to their bike and bounce around on it

 

Ahhhh, not exactly the information I was looking for. So it seems there is not scientific method. Bounce around not really fitting the implied definition of scientific.
But is there a way to check shocks without mounting them to a bike at all?

 

Usually, it's obvious.....look for indication that the oil has squeezed out of the seal around the shaft

 

Personally though I've never had a problem swapping out for other original shocks..... They last until whenever,,.....

 

Bounce around fits under the category of observational data, and is scientific when used appropriately.

The only way to check shocks wihout fiting them to a bike is to send them to a rebuilder to test.
It seems like what you are really after is a set of shocks that you know will work, in which case you really are going to have to buy new. Most used sets will be perfectly fine, but you will come across some occasionally that are from high-mileage bikes (the seller won't tell you this). If you buy used (I do) just be carful to take your time and buy at as low a price as you possibly can. I've gotten a pair of Seca 750 shocks for as litle as $15 shipped to my door, but that took a lot of patience on my part waiting for the listing to show up.

 

Automotive, not motorcycle, but the equipment exists:
https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...FjAWegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw0j4UXmZyE3P_P9718iAk2e

 

I just bounce my prosperous posterior on the bumper and count how long it takes for the car to settle down.

 

heheeee k-moe
Finally someone that has the balls to come out with a "scientific standard test" definition. What ISO number is this?