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Heavier rear springs 12 Jul 2022 19:19 #870275

  • TexasKZ
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You can live chat, email or call Progressive.
www.progressivesuspension.com/products/metric

You can call (international) or email Ikon
www.ikonsuspension.com/wp-content/upload...application-list.pdf




 
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
The following user(s) said Thank You: Danlvan

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Heavier rear springs 12 Jul 2022 19:57 #870278

  • Elfarm98648
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I also have a kz750LTD and had the exact same issue with the stock shocks bottoming out with a passenger no matter what the setting was. I switched to progressive suspension’s 12 series shocks and their 105/150 rate heavy duty shocks and that is an issue of the past. Yes they are a bit stiff for a single rider(180lbs) but as soon as the wife gets on(140lbs), we can go anywhere without any worries about scraping or bottoming out. My 4-1 exhaust hangs about 1-2 inches lower than the factory one so my issue was scraping over speed bumps. We actually recently rode to Disneyland in Orlando, Florida on the bike and had absolutely no issues over any of the never ending speed bumps. 

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 04:05 #870282

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Thank you for an excellent response. I did contact progressive yesterday. Waiting for a call back. Thanks again 

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 09:48 #870296

  • Forrest
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Just to throw another great U.S. made suspension manufacturer into the mix:  Worx Performance Shocks.  They custom tailored the shocks for my KZ 650.  If they have not made a shock for your particular model, they will take your measurements from your bike; swingarm to lower shock mount.  lower shock mount to upper shock mount, etc. 
Here is their link. >>>  Street Bike Shocks (worxshocks.com)

PLUS, don't forget your fork springs.  If you do not put in heavier rate fork springs, you will find yourself with less control on braking such as fork dive when riding two up.  Also, my stock springs were so soft that I would get head shake and loss of control at speeds above 90 mph.   RaceTech makes some great fork springs as well as Progressive.  They will also provide to your weight/riding style.  Here is the Racetech website >>>     Race Tech    

Here is my KZ with Worx Performance Shocks and Race Tech fork springs.  It handles great two up and holds lines in corners very well.  

 
 
KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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Last edit: by Forrest.

Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 10:24 #870300

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Wow. Thank you for that info. Didn't know I needed to upgrade the front too. I just added a lil air to them and it solved the bottoming out up front 

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 10:44 #870303

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Wow. Thank you for that info. Didn't know I needed to upgrade the front too. I just added a lil air to them and it solved the bottoming out up front 

Trying to understand your reply above.  Did you add "air" to your front forks?  Or did you add air to your tire?  
I believe your forks have springs and fork oil in them.  There are seals to keep the oil in place and dirt out.  I do not believe they are a type of air fork suspension. 
 
KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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Last edit: by Forrest.

Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 12:53 #870304

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Definitely air shocks up front.  Added 10psi to each side over the weekend and it's good now. 
I just had the fork seals and oil changed in the front. 

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 13:24 #870305

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Definitely air shocks up front.  Added 10psi to each side over the weekend and it's good now. 
I just had the fork seals and oil changed in the front. 

Still a bit confused.  Do you have air shocks in back, the rear twin shocks under the seat to the swing arm?  You mentioned fork seals and oil changed in the front.  I don't see how you have air in the forks?  
Just trying to help.  
KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 14:58 #870309

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Definitely air in the front. The only way I knew was when I read my owners manual. 
No air on the twin shocks out back. Just 2 adjustments. One for spring stiffness and one for rebound. Neither seems to really help...
adding air to the front did help! 
And yes it was in the shop for a few things, one was the leaking front fork seals, and fresh shock oil. 

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 15:28 #870311

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Definitely air in the front. The only way I knew was when I read my owners manual. 
No air on the twin shocks out back. Just 2 adjustments. One for spring stiffness and one for rebound. Neither seems to really help...
adding air to the front did help! 
And yes it was in the shop for a few things, one was the leaking front fork seals, and fresh shock oil. 

I must apologize.  I was locked in on the KZ750 twin that was produced from 1976-1978.  This later 1983 750 LTD version did have a pneumatic front fork.  I know next to nothing about those forks so I will defer to others.  
KZ RIDER RELAY FLAG CARRIER #55
1977 KZ650B Ready & Fit to Roll Anywhere!
1974 F7 175 -first bike and still own, full resto soon!
2002 ZRX1200R -Red the faster color
2011 Concours 14 -Now a Snarling Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 16:12 #870319

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Regarding the front air forks - I loved the idea, the flexibility and how easy it is to customise the bike to the rider, and stuck with them for years. But to be honest, putting in a thicker oil and slightly longer spacers and removing the air pressure was one of the best upgrades I've done. Adding air pressure makes the seal tighten around the stanchion, which makes it grab. Increasing the air pressure only makes it worse. Dropping the pressure makes the suspension so much smoother.
1981 KZ750 LTD

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Heavier rear springs 13 Jul 2022 16:52 #870320

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Regarding the front air forks - I loved the idea, the flexibility and how easy it is to customise the bike to the rider, and stuck with them for years. But to be honest, putting in a thicker oil and slightly longer spacers and removing the air pressure was one of the best upgrades I've done. Adding air pressure makes the seal tighten around the stanchion, which makes it grab. Increasing the air pressure only makes it worse. Dropping the pressure makes the suspension so much smoother.

What size spacers did you use on the front?  I put a1982 GPZ750 front end on my sons KZ650 and while the fork seals don't leak oil, they slowly let air out and it's a pain in the butt, I want to add slightly heavier oil and put some preload spacers in to stop the dive in the front, it's too soft......

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