Air shocks?

Just got these off the ebay, never tried air shocks are they gonna suck or will I be glad I got em? My current shocks just look like crap, they ride fine.

Link to shocks

Sounds like they are about 1/4 inch shorter than the stock ones? Figured it was worth a shot, cheap $$.

Ron

Post edited by: steell, at: 2007/03/28 09:11

I had a set on my ZN when I first got it, and they ride pretty nice.
I think you got those for a pretty decent price.

my kz1000 has air shocks on it from the PO, not sure of the brand but I am not that big of a fan of them, a little air and the ride hieght goes up and gets real stiff, mine does not have springs showing either

AR15Ron wrote:

Just got these off the ebay, never tried air shocks are they gonna suck or will I be glad I got em?....

Uncertain whether these shocks have any internal springs. Before installing, suggest checking with zero air pressure to see how easily they collaspe.

If they easily collapse with zero air pressure, be mindful after adding air and installing them that loss of air while on side stand might drop the rear end enough causing the bike to fall over onto its right side (as if the kick stand suddenly grew too long). Loss of air could result from a leak or vandalism (snipping the hose) while you are away from the bike (on its sidestand).

Had an '82 KZ1300 with air shocks, and felt safer using the center stand for the above reasons.

Just FYI. Hope you enjoy the shocks. They look really nice.

Good point on the kickstand. Never even occured to me That would be a very unpleasant surprise. Unfortunatly I am incapable of putting the bike on the center stand by myself LOL I only weight 145 lbs and when I try to put it on the stand I just slide backwards with the bike. Someone should come up with a hydraulic or air powered center stand, be like an F-1 car. I will check if they have springs when they show up, I'll report back They sure will look better that's for sure. Everyone knows looks = horsepower

its not that hard to put the bike on the center stand, sounds like you are trying to muscle it up.

I turn the front wheeel to the left, kind of lean the bike to the left and pick up on the grab bar, just keeping enough weight on the center stand so it will rotate, it comes up on one side and then I just let it balance out on both stands.

if you have trouble getting it down, rock it back and forth using the front brake to help it, the bike will roll forward

wish I had a grab bar

When my centerstand was still on, I did the turn front left thing and lifted by the left edge of the seat.....would come right up. 'Course, if your seat DOESNT lock, this aint gonna work so good:blink: :pinch: :S

I'll have to try that when it's back together. I think I was trying to do it all off balance pulling back on the handlebars maybe. It's been awhile since I tried it. Usually I just get someone else to pull back while I stand on the center stand. It's always been kind of awkward, I'm probably just going about it all wrong

AR15Ron wrote:

...am incapable of putting the bike on the center stand by myself....

Can use short length of wood 2x? as a platform with beveled edge (mine is a square section of 2x12 with 45 deg edge) and roll bike forward whereby rear tire is sitting on the 2x platform. With rear wheel slightly raised, bike easily lifts onto centerstand (and platform may then be removed).

Or you could forego all the elaborate bevel engineering and simply use a piece of 1x as a small stair step in front of the 2x.

Here's to healthy backs and easy lifting.

In my opinion you'll find that air shocks are great, esp if you do any touring , or two up ridding with say your girl. the ablity to adjust the ride height and seat responce is well worth it as well as say hikeing up your skirts a bit to influnce your front wheel responce. As to the centerstand thing. Ues your leg muscels TOO , if your right handed , that means you grab the back fram rail , (or grab bar at the closest point to the attacment point) and use your lrft leg onthe foot pad of the stand, and PUSH with your foor doen like your picking up some thing heavy as you lift with your right arm.. of course your left hand is holding the bar to steady the bike..its all in the timing, honest. I know a TINY lady rider who rides a sporty and she uses the center stand all the time and uses this method to "hop it up " on the stand. Might wann give it a try or two, and iof worried about dropping your machine, have a buddy stand on the opposet side a couple of time as you try this method.

So far so good. They seem to have internal springs although they dont show. Don't seem to take much air but they say max 70 PSI on them. Also have some kind of adjustment wheel on top. Got to try and track down some directions for these things. They are OEM Kawa at least. Drove it yesterday, felt pretty stiff.

I successfully put it back on the center stand by myself! Amazing how much easier it is when you do it right LOL Thanks for all the tips.

Ron