lowering shocks for my 81 xs650

ponystock · New Member Joined: Aug 29, 2008 Posts: 3

hi this is my 81 xs650 i bought this bike with most of the work already done to it, the only thing I realy want to do is lower the rear so the fender sits closer to the tire. Im not for sure but I believe these are the stock shocks. I am pretty new to motocyles so i dont know what size options there are and how it will effect the bikes handeling. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks.

tweedy64

Hi ponystock, you can get 11" shocks from 650 central which would be ok or honda rebel shocks fit too. I presume your gonna stay single seated, otherwise you mite have problem but rebel shocks are 10.5" i think. cheers tweedy

BigGeorge · Full Member Joined: Apr 13, 2008 Posts: 267

I went with the 11.5 Monza dual progressive wound springs from Mikesxs on my 81 650 and It lowered the bike about 2" It looks and rides fine. I weigh 220 lbs and have not bottomed out yet. part #06-3608...........BG

thunderonnd · New Member Joined: Nov 22, 2008 Posts: 2

BigGeorge wrote:

I went with the 11.5 Monza dual progressive wound springs from Mikesxs on my 81 650 and It lowered the bike about 2" It looks and rides fine. I weigh 220 lbs and have not bottomed out yet. part #06-3608...........BG

What did you do for a side stand I put Rebel shocks on mine now I need to either shorten the side stand or bend it so the bike will stay up right.

BigGeorge · Full Member Joined: Apr 13, 2008 Posts: 267

The Rebel shocks must be shorter than the 11.5 Monza dual progressives I used because my side stand is fine for now. The bike just sits up a little straighter. I have a spare side stand that I am going to modify eventually after I lower the front forks. I will cut and weld it to the appropriate length....
PS its a bear trying to use the center stand with the shorter rear shocks.........BG

killer

I had a bad experience with some shorter aftermarket shocks. The top shock mount was aluminum, and the threads pulled out. I was very "shocked" to see my rear spring hanging off the side of the bike. Use some caution and choose some quality shocks.

And yes... the use of the centerstand is a bear with shorter shocks. And your lean angle of the side stand will be less. Always park it sidestand downhill as possible, unless you shorten the sidestand.

A XS with shorter rear shocks does look really cool though.

Joseph · Full Member Joined: May 22, 2007 Posts: 767 Location: NY

Anyone happen to have a before and after pic of the longer to shorter shocks? I will eventually change them on my 80 special, I was originaly thinking longer but now I think a little shorter would be nice. I am about 6'1" does it make any differnce negativly to use shorter shocks?

nj1639

Well I'd think you know what the bike looks like with the stock shocks on, could just about throw a frisbee between the rear tire and fender. Click on the link after my quote below to see mine with 11 inchers on. Lowered seat also. Only problem could be in someones weight. 183 here and no problems. 5'9" and the seat moved back to where my tailbone is above the top shock mount is very comfortable and my feet are flat on the ground at a stop.

Joseph · Full Member Joined: May 22, 2007 Posts: 767 Location: NY

Nice thanks for the link, looks right to me.

nj1639

Thank you Joseph.

borjawil

so anyone know where i can find shorter springs? or should i get some for the xs and cut them to make them shorter?

bluebikerblan

MikesXS

www.mikesxs.net/products-18.html part #06-3608

If your shocks are stock they should be about 13 3/8" eye to eye.
These would lower your bikes rear about 2 inches

borjawil

gotcha thanks. I think ima get some used ones on ebay and refurbish them. 189 is a bit pricey. though nice.

bluebikerblan

$79 for a pair . Where did you get $189 ???

borjawil

the first ones are 189 the next ones are 79. either way i can pick some up on ebay for 20ish. i just need the springs not necessarily the shock bodies.

xsjohn

Lowered my 80 an inch by cutting one ring of the spring off and heated it half way around from the cut and bent it down then ground the surface level so the spring stands straight up....then paint....does limit travel a bit but works....and only costs some time........

xsjohn

Irish · Full Member Joined: Jun 12, 2007 Posts: 250

***REBEL 10" SHOCKS****I have a pair for sale. I got them for my XS project and never used them,No leaks, good chrome, couple small marks, 10" eye to eye, all the mounting hardware $80+s/h

email me if you want them wickedrf @ localnet.com

nobradovic

Where do You live Irish?

skippyp

Irish wrote:

***REBEL 10" SHOCKS****I have a pair for sale. I got them for my XS project and never used them,No leaks, good chrome, couple small marks, 10" eye to eye

email me if you want them wickedrf @ localnet.com

Irish,

I tried to send you an e-mail but it wouldn't go through. I am interested in the shocks if you still have them. Let me know if they're still available.

Thanks,
Steve

oms1981 · Full Member Joined: May 07, 2009 Posts: 14

nj1639 wrote:

Well I'd think you know what the bike looks like with the stock shocks on, could just about throw a frisbee between the rear tire and fender. Click on the link after my quote below to see mine with 11 inchers on. Lowered seat also. Only problem could be in someones weight. 183 here and no problems. 5'9" and the seat moved back to where my tailbone is above the top shock mount is very comfortable and my feet are flat on the ground at a stop.

Ok, I know this thread is a little old now, but I am also looking at lowering my bike so I thought I'd post here rather than make a redundant thread.

Anyway, with your 11" shocks you say that you haven't had any bottom out problems. I weight about 160lbs so I'm not too worried about rolling solo. However I am wondering if you (or anyone) has experienced any trouble at this ride height with a passenger on the bike? I ride alone 90% of the time, but it is nice to take a passenger once in awhile.

I am also really liking the look of the Rebel shocks. My neighbor has one and I find that those shocks constantly grab my attention. I am wondering what peoples' experiences are like with the 10" shocks. Seems pretty low to me so i would expect bottom out issues, but they sure look cool. Anyone?

nj1639

Well, just last weekend I had a passenger on mine , the first time I've ridden 2 up in over 30+ years. Probably a combined weight of just over 310lbs. I'm at 176 lb last check and I didn't ask what hers was. Highway and country hills and hollers, no problem.
My youngest (24 yrs) daughters' first ever bike ride.
"How was it, Honey?"
"Scary but exciting!"

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