ZRX shocks on KZ650 info requested

I did some searching and found a lot of talk about ZRX shocks on old KZ's but didn't find much on anyone who has actually done it to a KZ650 specifically. That is what I'm interested in. If anyone has mounted these shocks on their KZ650, please respond. I'd be very interested in your results and how the mounting of these shocks went. Or if someone knows of a thread I missed on the subject, feel free to point me in the right direction.

Toonces

I had some on my 550 for a while. As far as I know all the older KZ shocks were interchangeable, so I wouldn't expect any mounting problems on your 650. They were a little longer than the stock shocks, but it was probably only 1/4-3/8" or so. They rode great....WAY better than stock. Worked well for two-up riding also.

Thanks for the response. That info does help. I think those shocks work good for someone because they sell for a good penny used.

The Harley guys are after them too I hear

Got some. They did raise up the rear of the bike more then I'd like. I think the spring might be a bit to stiff for my 157LBS. Got the pre-load set to min. I still need to play around with the dampen settings. I'll eventualy get around to a rebuild and RaceTech treatment. Must work out a way to mod shock to swing arm mounting point to get OEM ride hight back.

Unrelated, but I really like the paint scheme on your bike! Ed

Maybe check into a lower spring rate, if you have it set as soft as possible, then drop down in rate. It should give the bike a bit more sag when you first sit down, helping with the height issue.

I know what to do to get everything dialed in. Just need to save up money and call RaceTech. Making the mods to the swingarm will cost next to nothing. All labor and I give myself a huge price break on labor charges.

If you are going to disassemble the shocks to do the Race Tech mods then you have a perfect opportunity to effectively shorten them to your desired length (to adjust your ride height without chopping up your swingarm). Just increase the thickness of whatever stops the piston from extending. It a common mod that is done all the time.

I’m not sure adding a spacer to limit the shocks piston stroke would be a good idea. I measured the length of the Progressive brand shocks I remove and the ZRX shocks. The difference was 1.125”. If I’m thinking about this correctly, a spacer that size would effectively be preloading the spring and reducing the effective range of shock travel. What I’m planning will require no chopping of the swing arm. The lower mounting point will be moved downward about an inch and outward about an 1/8”. Which will be a good thing because right now the spring is about a ¼” from the chain.

Im not sure about ZRX shocks, I put XS11 shocks on my rear which lowered it 1/2" big improvement on handling and the nice part was they look similar to stock. If the eyeholes are the same size and the shocks are long enough I dont see why they wouldn't work.