Shortest shocks....by far

Chopdoc · Full Member Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 47

I've seen posts about lowering and short shocks so I thought I would let you folks in on a tip.

Honda Rebel 250, CMX250C, has the shortest shocks I have found off the shelf...something just over ten inches. They also happen to be REALLY good looking shocks.

I have had a set on my 82 XS650 Special II for around five years and they work just fine.

Some may think the springs would be too light, but not so at all. If you look at the shock mount position on the 250 they are subjected to greater leverage and hence need to be heavier springs than you would need if the shocks were mounted closer to the axle.

I have no idea at all what the spring rate is, but they actually give a pretty firm ride, firmer than stock. I love them.

Between the two and a half inches that my thinner Yamaha accessory king and queen seat gives, and the three inches or so that the shocks give, I have lowered my seat by almost 5 1/2 inches without cutting or welding a thing.....and with nothing but standard off the shelf parts!

I had to remove the center stand (too low), but the side stand actually works perfectly with the short shocks.

I have not tried this on other year XS650s, but I have used 250 Rebel shocks to successfully lower several other bikes in the past.

The last pair I got for 25 bucks on Ebay in perfect shape.

I'll post pics as soon as I get the pics for the kicker mod in my other post....I've been lazy.

Chopdoc · Full Member Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 47

The Pics:

Sorry for how my bike looks. A few years ago it was mint....then it sat outside for nearly three years...not my fault.....I am slowly making it right.

Ky13 · Posted: September 1, 2007, 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: Shortest shocks....by far

Doc I just got to ask........are you using stock size tire and wheel with the Honda shocks??

Sure looks like a cool way to build a bobber or cruiser!

Larry

Chopdoc · Full Member Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 47

The wheel and tire are stock size.

I did forget to mention the chain guard.

The XS has a cut out for the guard since the shocks are mounted fairly close in. Using these shocks interferes with it. There are three solutions:

1: Don't use the chain guard.

2: Trim the chain guard.

3: Take the shocks apart and remove the oversized adjuster on the bottom. Under this, it is much like the stock shock and should then fit. The shocks can be used without the adjuster and would just look like the stock ones but short.

As I said in the first pot, the center stand should be removed. I am thinking of modifying the center stand to work. First of all it would have to be shortened of course.

I think it is a great lowering solution.

I am probably going to do an extended square section swingarm eventually, this is just one step in the evolution. It could stay this way if I like as it simply works perfectly.

The bike has a whole different look I think.

The next step is a bolt on solution for one piece fat bobs that I am working on. Yup....bolt on....believe it or not.

I am not shy of cutting and welding. I do build choppers....but I dig finding bolt on solutions with off the shelf parts....it is its own kind of challenge.

jroach2525 · Full Member Joined: May 29, 2007 Posts: 25

how did the shocks bolt on?

Chopdoc · Full Member Joined: Aug 26, 2007 Posts: 47

jroach2525 wrote:

how did the shocks bolt on?

....with shock bolts..... Cool

It is so easy...like falling off a log.

All you do is use the bushings and bolts off the XS shocks. That's it. They bolt right on.

santiablo · Full Member Joined: Apr 14, 2008 Posts: 98

im interested the bolt on fat bob!! in 2 ways first is hows is guna work?? cus i dont have a welder or know how to weld, and the second is whats a fat bob??? lol i googled it before i ask but im still clue less wicapidia dident evan have any thing!!!

weekendrider · Posted: May 3, 2008, 10:27 pm Post subject: Re: Shortest shocks....by far

santiablo it's a style of tank goggle harley fatbob

nj1639 · Posted: May 4, 2008, 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Shortest shocks....by far

Here's what I've put on mine. eBay item # 170214878661

No change to the chain guard. Had removed the center stand but I've put that back on now that I've found a way to use it without bustin' my eggs. Side stand is now rarely functional due to the lowering.

weekendrider · Posted: May 4, 2008, 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Shortest shocks....by far

nj1639 if you cut that fat foot of the side stand and replace with 1/8 plate it works better. Running it up on a 2x6 takes the strain out of using the center stand.

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