KZ1100 Rear Shocks

I have a 1981 KZ1100 and am considering changing the rear shocks to ones that dont have the air adjustments. The main reason I want to do this is that it is hard to find a air pump that will fill them up and not blow them out.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to fill them up or a aftermarket shock I can use to replace them. Thanks

Try ebay,progressive shocks, or works performance, hagon olhins all good scources just figure out what length you need and go from there. Progressive has a nice chart that will allow you to cross reference so you can go to ebay and get better shocks the same length off another bike. good luck.

I use to have a lot of trouble airing up shocks.

i was at a friends house and used his guage for his drag car. It hasa big dial and a bleed off so you could adjust the air without taking the guage off.

You might try a 12 volt compressor. Roy

Or a bicycle tire pump.

Good Luck!

I just preset the pressure on the regulator where I want it and than I fill.

x2


otakar wrote:

I just preset the pressure on the regulator where I want it and than I fill.

Some compressors don't have pressure regulators. And those so equipped may be inaccurate, especially at very low pressures (reminds me of our tachs being inaccurate at very low rpms).

To be precise at low psi, a dirt bike tire gauge is usually more accurate.

Good Luck!

Patton wrote:

Some compressors don't have pressure regulators. And those so equipped may be inaccurate, especially at very low pressures (reminds me of our tachs being inaccurate at very low rpms).

To be precise at low psi, a dirt bike tire gauge is usually more accurate.

Good Luck!

Patton, I think you missed the point. The point is that it takes verry little air to make a very large diference in pressure, than the accuracy of the actual air pressure.

This EXACT same problem arises when putting air into front forks. I think that most of us can attest to that.

otakar wrote:

Patton wrote:

Some compressors don't have pressure regulators. And those so equipped may be inaccurate, especially at very low pressures (reminds me of our tachs being inaccurate at very low rpms).

To be precise at low psi, a dirt bike tire gauge is usually more accurate.

Good Luck!

Patton, I think you missed the point. The point is that it takes very little air to make a very large difference in pressure, than the accuracy of the actual air pressure.

Perhaps, but I thought the main concern was not blowing out the shocks with too much pressure, a risk potential when using a compressor. Anyhow, with my 30+ years old compressor and long non-functioning psi regulator gauge, and the point that
it takes very little air to make a very large difference in pressure,
I'm just more comfortable with the hand tire pump to fill the shocks and dirt bike tire pressure gauge to measure the pressure inside the shocks.

Realizing folks have different preferences. And that some riders don't have air compressors.

Just a carry-over of old habits from long past dirt biking days when I was far more limber and healed much faster. :lol:

Good Luck!

davej6997 wrote:

I have a 1981 KZ1100 and am considering changing the rear shocks to ones that dont have the air adjustments. The main reason I want to do this is that it is hard to find a air pump that will fill them up and not blow them out.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to use to fill them up or a aftermarket shock I can use to replace them. Thanks

Take a look at the different style Hagons at the link below and contact Dave Quinn for custom setup for your riding style/load and pricing:

Hagon

Ive been using the compressor out of a old dehumidifier for yrs.Dont know what cfm it delivers but its very small and easy to moniter with a inline pressure gauge.You can get the same thing out of a old fridge or air conditioner.Another thing I like about them is they are pretty much silent.I set one up for my brother to use for air brushing and he loves it.Wouldnt want to try and fill a resevior but for filling bike tires and forks or shocks it works really good