Modern shocks ZRX / XJR / GSX

Has anyone used the rear shocks of a modern muscle bike on there Z?
i'm after some (preferably XJR1300 ohlins) for my Z500, as they are fully adjustable i dont see there being a problem that the Z is considerably lighter than the XJR.
Apparantly the GSX1400 have a problem with dodgy seals and most people fit the XJR shocks on them?
ZRX seem to be hard to find second hand?

I have Zephyr 750 shocks on my KZ650, and they made a world of difference. They are a bit longer than stock though, so it changes the stance somewhat. That could be good or bad, depending on you.

Hey Doc...any pictures of that set-up,bud?
This way,we can all SEE what you've done(or what anybody has done)and how the fitment is,etc.

thanks dr, thats great, any chance of a picture? i'm not too bothered about raising the back end as i was thinking of lowering the front a little to speed the steering up anyway!!!
hopefully i'll be swapping the front end out at some time too!!

i'd like to heighten my 650 SR in the rear since it looks saggy bottomed .. - there aren't any issues with swingarm/chain etc when the struts are longer ?

I've put ZRX shocks on my GPZ-750, and the ride is great. They bolt right up to the factory mounts, and are the same lenght as stock (14 1/4 in.) They are three way adjustable, so you can set the ride you want. Got mine off ebay for $260.00. Maybe not the cheapest option, but mine were in like new shape with the adjuster wrench included. They come across ebay regularly. If you want to see the fit, I have a picture of the bike in the 750 fours section.

Sandy wrote:

Hey Doc...any pictures of that set-up,bud?
This way,we can all SEE what you've done(or what anybody has done)and how the fitment is,etc.

Ask and ye shall receive! At this point I am still waiting for my bodywork to get painted so I have a spare set on it, and my hand-made fiberglass seat is not covered yet, but you get the idea.



More in my Flickr set.

For comparison, here is what I started out with: Original.

Yes, I will do a project thread soon when I have finished.

babyELR wrote:

I've put ZRX shocks on my GPZ-750, and the ride is great. They bolt right up to the factory mounts, and are the same lenght as stock (14 1/4 in.)

The unsprung length (center hole to center hole) of stock KZ750R1 (1982 GPz750) is 13 5/8" while overall unsprung length is 14 3/4" (I have several sets bumping around). I was considering putting on ZRX shocks but the folks that have, seem to have their bikes with their tails too high in the air.

Dr do you know what length the std ones were/the zephyr ones are?


Ian

iandz500 wrote:

Dr do you know what length the std ones were/the zephyr ones are?


Ian

Unfortunately, I never had the stock ones. I'll try to measure the current (Zephyr) ones though.

My bad Mcdroid, I didn't know the measurements of stock GPZ shocks, but the ZRX shocks measured out the same as what was on it, or real close (measured unsprung). As far as the tail being to high, to me, mine looks fine, and with a rider, the bike levels out. Since I was trying to stay with the ELR look which ran pigglybacks, my first choice would have been a set off an ELR, but those are nearly impossible to find, and Olins cost more (piggybacks) than ZRX shocks off e-bay. (budget considerations!) To each his own, that's what makes everyones bike unique and there own.

External reservoir shocks from Works cost just about double the average selling price of ZRX shocks on eBay. "But" the Works shocks are set up for your bike, your weight, and your riding style. And, if you can do without the external reservoir, Works shocks (set up for you) can be bought for around $100 more than used ZRX shocks.

If I had $1200 to spare, I'd get Ohlins shocks, and if I had an additional $5000 to spend, I'd get Ohlins forks also.

But I don't