Lowering a 79 KZ1000 ST

Would lowering the rear of my 79KZ 1000 ST be as simple as putting a shorter shock absorber back there?

My present shock measures 13 1/4 inches and has two springs per shock. Upper spring is chrome, lower spring is gold colored. Lower spring is about 4 inches long.

Any ideas?

Bob

Post edited by: Bob_79KZ, at: 2007/06/18 22:38

One consideration when replacing rear shocks with shorter versions should be assuring the rear tire has sufficient under-fender clearance when fully collapsed so that tire does not hit against fender or rip out the under-fender wiring.

I have a set of lowering shocks I had on my 1982 KZ1000 LTD and they worked well. My centerstand would touch when coming into the dip at the base of my driveway, but were fine when riding. The black on black set is the proper weight spring and shock for a 1000cc.

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_marketp...&adid=1287&Itemid=46

I used a set of Harly Sportster Hugger shocks on mine, and it lowered the rear about 1.5 inches. The ride is 10x better.

The Harley shocks sound like a good way to go but I'll bet they are pricey... I'll go check prices on the net and see what I find.

Thanks for the replys guys...

Bob

I used a pair of Sportster shocks on my 80 LTD 1000, but I had to drive out the bushings from my old Kaw shocks and drive them into the HD shocks. These were about 13.5" or 14" and while they were ok lengthwise (I was not lowering) the damping was set up for a much heavier bike, and the ride was not very good.

If you are lowering the shafty because of a short inseam, it would be best to shave the seat padding a bit and recover the seat. This would allow you to keep the shocks at 13 1/2". This will allow you to keep your cornering clearance. If you want to go the shorter shock route, don't go any shorter than 12" or you will definitely have problems with fender rub. I suggest you also put the bike up on a stand where the front end is free and loosen the upper and lower triple tree pinch bolts and push the fork tubes up the same amount as you shorten via shorter shocks in the rear.

WG: Naw..I've got plenty of inseam..I just want the bike to sit a little lower. The rear shocks are really stiff so I don't see how the fender would ever rub.

It would help fix my short kickstand problem too.

Bob

I use Progressive 412s on my shafty and they ride nice. They are 13 1/2". If you swap shocks to lower, just don't use some from a little bitty bike... I blew out a shock on one of my KZ900 test bikes and bought a set of 13 1/2" chrome shocks off eBay. Guy said they were PROBABLY from a KZ900/1000 but when I put them on they were only 12 1/2" and must have been off a 50cc bike they are so skinny. I gotta take those things off before I blow the rear tire with the fender bounce.

WG, you are right about the shocks and avoiding junk - the ones I have for sale (link above) are progressive 412's.