81 KZ550 Lowering the rear options

I'm a pretty short guy. I'm pretty uncomfortable on my bike as I have to tippy toe. Was wondering if anyone tried shortening the spring a little on the stock shocks? If so how did you do it and did it work OK. Other option is to get some shorter shocks. Well...what works on this bike? Thanks

Cutting the springs may not lower the rear at all and will certainly make the ride noticeably stiffer. Shorter shocks are the easiest way. You can also move the shock mounts.
I am assuming you are asking about a twin shock setup.

TexasKZ wrote: Cutting the springs may not lower the rear at all and will certainly make the ride noticeably stiffer. Shorter shocks are the easiest way. You can also move the shock mounts.
I am assuming you are asking about a twin shock setup.

It would be for a twin shock setup.

Also if I cut the spring down the piston will not be able to over travel the spring. Could that not cause issues?

Alternate shocks. I believe it was Andy-the-gringo who put Kawasaki Vulcan 500 shocks on his 550 Ltd. The stock 550 shocks are in the 13" range & I think the vulcans are about 11". get an eye-to-eye measurement before purchasing.
Some vulcan shocks are kinda fat at the bottom. so chain guard clearance could be an issue. maybe the bottom shroud can be removed? or get a set that don't have the shrouds. ebbaayy search = vulcan 500 shocks or en500 shocks.
EN500 shocks --- 12" eye-to-eye

After lowering the rear, you may want to lower the front about the same. one way is to install shorter spacers at the top of the fork springs. the diagrams don't show spacers, so you could cut the fork springs instead. cutting the forks springs may actually improve them. some guys cut the springs & install longer spacers to make up the difference, so it has been done.

Did some digging in the shed last night and found a new set of Hagons I ordered for my 73 RD350 build. They are 12.5" eye to eye. They mounted up perfectly with only 1 minor mod needed. I used the old lower bushing from the stock shocks and then they were a direct bolt in. The front of my bike has already been lowered 1.25". It's pretty amazing but now I can comfortably touch. Only thing that sucks is those shocks are expensive and I now have to order another set for my RD.

Just went on a 107 mile ride. She is working great with new shocks.

Your bike looks very nice! Hagon makes really nice shocks. I've had mine on my KZ650-C1 for 9 years and they still look and work like new. Ed