Want to lower my 79 KZ650 SR

I want to lower my rear by using shorter shocks. I'm looking at maybe 1-2 inches. Could I do this and still maintain a safe driveable bike?

Post edited by: crewzzn88, at: 2006/01/23 00:48

I heard from a guy today that you can disassemble the front shocks by prying that little rubber cup off that aluminum cast on the bottom of the shock, and remove the chromed rod (upper part of the shock)to reveal a spring. The spring is what actualy determines the ride height in the front. The guy that told me this said that all you need to do is get new springs of a different size. I'm not positive about this, so please don't stone me for saying this. If anybody knows please confirm this for me. Also sorry for not possibly using the correct names of the parts mentioned.

oh my bad I'm mentle. I read the post to fast and didn't see that you wanted to lower the rear.

slide your fork tubes up in trees set your rear shocks on the softest setting,that should lower it.you might have to fine tune things a little to get it where you like it!goodluck,happy wrenching!

Hey, I was thinking along the same lines. I slid the forks up about 3/4" into the trees.(Actually, this was kinda cool, because as I loosened the bolts, the forks rise up like magic- even though it is just the weight of the bike pushing down.) Then I was thinking about playing with the rear shock adjustments, and wondering where I could find a spanner wrench to fit them. I happened to have the battery box off, and for the first time I looked in the original on-board tool set. A few cheesy screwdrivers and wrenches, and a cheesy but effective spanner!
I hate to say it in this website, but I really like the seat height on my Vulcan....

Post edited by: nevco48, at: 2006/01/22 22:29

try not to lower the frontend without lowering the rear it will take rake out the frontend and screw with your highspeed handling,unless you are riding a gs1100 suzuki they need all the help they can get!bwaha:whistle: goodluck,happy wrenching!

I put 76 KH500 fork tubes on mine lowered the thing quite a bit and put 14in shocks on the rear, I still have around 27 degrees of rake, I could go back to the stock shocks but my exhaust will be only 3in off the floor,I haven't been out with it yet so I don't know how it handles, my option would be to put stock shocks back on and redo the exhaust so it comes around the side rather than under the engine, I don't want it to be squirrely, is 27 degrees enough rake( its a 78 650SR)on one of these bikes

my stock rear shocks are 13" eye to eye. where would i get a 12" or 11" shock? are the eye hole size pretty much standard on most KZ's?

i had a 1997 Kawasaki Eliminator 650, love the seat height on that! hey, maybe i should look for some eliminator shocks for my old KZ650.

i have always used kz400 shocks to lower all of my kaws.they are pretty short maybe 11" but still ride a little better than struts.

Are you wanting to lower for appearance or for getting your feet on the ground? I took 2" out of my seat and I love the way the bike looks and feels better than the old ironing board, and its still comfortable also.

You can buy shocks by size or length .. Look on Ebay or if your into Sticker Shock Try Progressive shocks they are very universal with bushing shims , I have them on one of my FT500s ,, No disappointments .. (: