80 Z1R Rear Shock Replacement

  • 1980 Z1R D3
  • 1980 Z1R D3's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • A young gun with a taste for two-wheeled fun!
  • Posts: 39
  • Thanks: 2

80 Z1R Rear Shock Replacement

01 Feb 2025 10:35
#908517
Good afternoon, gentlemen,

i’m doing a complete suspension overhaul on my 1980 Z1R. I have found some OEM old stock rear shocks in order to replace the currently blown aftermarket ones I have on my bike. I looked into getting the current ones rebuilt however the company that made them is no longer in business. The old stock OEM parts are $800 and at this moment I currently don’t have $800 to drop on a set of new old stock shocks, and I have had trouble trying to find a good aftermarket company that makes a set that will just bolt on.

Does anyone have any experience with a good aftermarket brand for these rear shocks that they could recommend? I am happy to pay up to about $600 for both shocks. Please let me know. your help is always appreciated. This forum is an amazing community and I’m blessed to be a part of it.

many thanks in advance.


1980 Z1R D3

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Nessism
  • Nessism's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Posts: 7539
  • Thanks: 2901
Last edit: 01 Feb 2025 11:59 by Nessism.
The following user(s) said Thank You: 1980 Z1R D3

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • sf4t7
  • sf4t7's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Posts: 631
  • Thanks: 423

Re: 80 Z1R Rear Shock Replacement

01 Feb 2025 14:11
#908533
I replaced the old S &W rear shocks on my Z1 with (reasonably priced) Hagon shocks of the same length.  They work fine, the bike doesn't spend time on the racetrack so I don't see the need for big money exotic shocks.

Scotty

1974 Z1A
1015
welded Z1 crank
Andrews 1X Cams
Delkevic 4 into 1
Superbike bars
530 conversion

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • asphalt900
  • asphalt900's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 849
  • Thanks: 373

Re: 80 Z1R Rear Shock Replacement

01 Feb 2025 14:20
#908535
As long as the piston rods are still fully intact, i do them all the time. You have Mulholland double spring units, correct for the Z1R. Even have the correct font/color stickers to set them off. I'll pull up some pics tomorrow morning. 

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • DOHC
  • DOHC's Avatar
  • Away
  • Sustaining Member
  • Those Doe-Hawks really go!
  • Posts: 1248
  • Thanks: 563

Re: 80 Z1R Rear Shock Replacement

02 Feb 2025 17:45
#908568
 You have Mulholland double spring units, correct for the Z1R
The '80 Z1R didn't have the double springs.  Just the '78.  And I thought the Mullholland shocks just came on the LTD.

In any case, both Hagon and Ikon shocks have been recommended by many folks here on KZRider. 

I spoke with a tech support person from Ikon about the spring rates they supply for the KZ1000.  It's a triple rate spring, but the overall rate seemed to be relatively close to the '78 Z1R spring rates shown in the factory service manual.  I figure I'll probably get a set of Ikon shocks at some point.
'78 Z1-R in blue , '78 Z1-R in black, '78 Z1-R in pieces
My dad's '74 Z1
'00 ZRX1100
The following user(s) said Thank You: 1980 Z1R D3

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Powered by Kunena Forum