Shortest rear shock/strut KZ1000 shaft?

I'm about to lower my KZ in the front 3 inches and would also like to lower the rear of the bike too. I switched the factory rear shocks with a set of HD sportster rear shocks and the fit and ride great! Howerver they are only 11.5" eyelid to eyelid. I have recently come across a pair of 10" sportster shocks, and have heard rumors of 9" ones, but havent found them yet. Has anyone played around with lowered rear shocks for shafties? I'm even considering some air shocks, or independent resivor ones. What do you think?

Yo are asking for trouble if you lower your bike that much.

Nebr_Rex wrote: Yo are asking for trouble if you lower your bike that much.

Amen! You will need to bring along a passenger all the time to help carry the bike over speed bumps. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Ed

I had 11 7/8 solid struts on my 1978 A2A and it was just about on the tire, maybe a inch or less clearance.

I used to run 10 1/4 " shocks on the back of my 1327 with kz650 fork tubes in stock 1000 lower legs, I definately had to drive around speed bumps and catterpillers in the road! :laugh:

wireman wrote: I used to run 10 1/4 " shocks on the back of my 1327 with kz650 fork tubes in stock 1000 lower legs, I definately had to drive around speed bumps and catterpillers in the road! :laugh:

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That was with a 150 - 70 - 18 tire

Careful lowering the front that much, you need to allow clearance between wheel/mudguard and the headers. The big zeds carry a lot of weight at the front especially under braking. You'd be better off leaving it alone and getting a cruiser type zed with a lower seat if the ST is too big for you.

When I got this bike it had these little shocks on it and big chunks of the tire missing from hitting the rear fender.

LOL, I am 6 foot tall, 260lbs. I recently sold my gsxr1100 so I'm pretty sure this KZ is not too tall for me. I do not live in an apartment complex nor do I frequent them. My focus is to go after a particular look. Here in Southern MD. It's a lot of country, paved, roads. I don't do long trips (30 min.-1 hour, once a week max). I'm not looking for long term comfort. I'm after the low, dark, sleek look. I currently have 11" rear shocks with no problems, actually the ride has improved; tighter, but a more controlled feel on the road. If smaller shocks don't work out then I can put my 11" HD shocks back on, or my stock shocks which I still have.
Wanted to know peoples experiences with 10" or lower shocks on the rear. I do believe 9" is too low, but wanted some feedback with experience on them.
Your thoughts....

peter1958 wrote: When I got this bike it had these little shocks on it and big chunks of the tire missing from hitting the rear fender.

What size (eyelid, to eyelid) rear shock was on it?

Ok, just measured my rear clearance all the way around my rear wheel weld and at my closest point to the tire I have a little more than 2.5" of room! Going from 11" to 10" rear shock would (theoretically) give me at least an 1.5" of room? Also, by using a slightly stiffer HD sportster shock, 1.5" of travel room is more than enough. Also considering an 80 series tire on the front and rear for slightly more clearance. I know this offends a lot of you "diehard" KZ fans out there, but I have a vision in my own head for this one. I think you'll like it when I'm done (if I keep it that long).

Could remove one shock, place a ball of modeling clay on top of the rear tire, set the remaining single shock to minimum spring pre-load, then mount the bike, using forceful aggressive bouncing to compress the rear suspension travel as much as possible.
(The single shock facilitates maximum rear compression, for test purposes.)

After the bouncing exercise, inspect the clay to determine what if any clearance existed between tire and fender at maximum compression.

Even without the clay, the fender may impact the tire, which should be readily noticeable by the bouncing tester. :lol:

Good Fortune!