shock talk

I'm considering bidding on some sportster shocks on ebay, but before I do, I'd like to get an opinion or two on them.
Anybody have them on their bike right now? Are you happy with them? Any wobbles?
Or should I spend the big bucks on some Progressives?
Any other options?
The shocks on my bike now are some nasty looking old Mulhollands, which I can't seem to find any information on.
Them shiny chrome Sporster shocks would look a lot better, but I don't want to buy the Sporster shocks then find out they send me into a high speed wobble.

Stock Sporty shocks are crap. I've been an H-D (boo-hiss), tech for ten years and that's one of the first things to go. Grab some Progressive 412's and you'll be much happier. My .02.

Maybe these are still available.

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_marketp...2&adid=800&Itemid=46

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I don't know how tall you are or what the standard length of the sporty shocks are. I have read about people using the shocks from an 883 Sporty to obtain a lower ride. I believe they are not 100% bolt on though.

I have changed rear shocks on a couple of my bikes looking to get a lower ride height. I just recently bought a set of shocks off a VN-500 Vulcan and put them on my 77 650 C1, they are about 2" shorter than stock, look like the stockers in appearance, bolt right on and makes the bike look meaner and more aggressive (at least while sitting in my living room):whistle: I also have used shocks from a 750 Virago on one of my 550 LTD's, again a little bit shorter but did not fit quite as well as the Vulcan shocks. While searching Ebay I did see shocks from both the 750/800 Vulcans as well as the 1500 Vulcans they are short as well but also have the air adjustable feature, they do tend to bring more money though. I only had to spend $29.00 including shipping for the 500 Vulcan shocks I bought.

Just my opinion but I think a set of 750/800 Vulcan shocks with the air adjust would look bad ass on your bike. But keep in mind I've only got a 29" inseam so if you are tall never mind:lol: .

An obvious caution about installing shorter shocks.

Stock length shocks are designed to allow sufficient clearance between the tire and fender when the shocks are fully compressed. This keeps the tire from hitting the fender when the shocks compress (or ripping out the under fender wiring).

Shorter shocks have less beginning clearance between tire and fender, and are thus more apt to exceed the available clearance when compressed (given an equivalent range of movement). So best to stay on nice smooth roads and don't hit bumps.

I have full size (about 13-14", eye to eye) new take-off Sportster shocks on both of my running KZ750 bikes. They are great, adjustable, look good, and have produced no problems in over 15,000 miles of riding (mostly high speed freeway riding). They are easy to adapt to our bikes (see the archives for many write-ups in the old forum posts), and they are dirt cheap.

I regularly run my bike up over 100 mph, and have never experienced any "wobble" problems.

10 1/4" shocks:evil:

This is a little late in comming as we just got back, but sportster shocks work great. I put a pair on my 75 Z1 a couple of years ago and have not had any regrets. They look good, are stiff enough to keep the bike level and adapt easily to the frame. A big bonus is that they look a lot nicer than the old shocks with the reflector on them that was stock for the Z1. Of course a purest would argue that, but hey, it's my bike.

Thanks everybody.
I went ahead and bought some Sportster shocks off of fleabay.
The Progressives are nice, but too expensive.
Had the same delemma when I was trying to put a scope on my rifle. Didn't make much sense to put a $1000 Leopold on a $150 surplus Mauser. But the recoil of that 8mm would blow the reticles of cheaper scopes. Luckily I found a milsurp Russian scope for cheap that so far is holding up.
I think the Sporster shocks will do just fine, whenever they get here.

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Sure thing H1, although it might be a few weeks. I'm getting ready to clean up and repaint the frame right now. Just waiting for the snow to melt.