rear shock

[jetfire1383]

hey guys i need to lower my xj600 as im to much of a shot ass to ride it properly, so i was wondering what other shocks fit that are shorter than the stock one, needs to be about 1.5 inch lower

any and all suggestions welcome
cheers dai

[m40man]

I don't know of one, sorry.

But the more common solution is to have an inch or so of the seat foam cut out. There are a few places that will do that as part of a recovering job for you. Might you consider that instead?

[jetfire1383]

already thought of that, but the plan is to change the bars to the clip on ones and drop the ride height, i had planned on keeping the seat as it is

[m40man]

OK, so we need someone to measure the stock shock, so alternatives can be considered. Maybe you can measure yours?

Because the D6 shock mounts directly, not via a relay arm with dog bones, you'll be looking for something off a similar direct-mounted set-up bike, so the spring rate isn't too soft. Nothing springs to mind, but someone might come along with some suggestions.

[jetfire1383]

from what i can find out on the web the stock shock is 10.5 inch and seeing as i want to go down 1.5 i think i need a 9 inch shock

[CD]

Hagon will make a custom shock but quiz them carefully - every shock I have had from them has been hard though to be fair did handle ok. Revs Racing and Wilbers are better but neither are cheap.

[jetfire1383]

i was thinking of mabie a r1 shock or somthing, my mate has a thunder ace and thats got a r1 shock on and its a fair bit lower.

im far to tight to buy a custom made one

[bobh]

Is it the bike you want to lower by 1.5"? If so, because of the leverage, you need a shock that's only about 1/2" shorter at a guess.

[CD]

A cheap option could be to get another swing arm and have the shock lug moved enough to set the ride height where you want it. If it goes t*ts up the bike is still usable.

Even better have the cut-off lug welded to a slotted steel plate so it can be bolted down and moved about to adjust the ride height.

[jetfire1383]

to be fair i know very little about lowering bike's, i want to lower the whole bike 1.5 inch, im gonna raise the forks up through the yokes to fit clip on handle bars,

all this in because i feel uncomfortable on this style of bike as ive only ever had race type bike before and because im short and cant plant me feet flat on the floor.

[CD]

If the bike leans more than a few degrees you wont save it. Both feet planted will help but you risk hurting yourself trying to catch the impossible. As long as at least one foot is flat or both with heels just off the floor, you should be fine.

Once you get used to the riding position you'll be hitting exhausts stands etc into the road on a lowered bike so its really not the best idea.

My 900 was a bit of a shock when I bought it - very heavy and hard to push about. The 600 felt feather weight by comparison. But I soon adapted and then never had problems unless trying to push the bike about on a rough surface. Later a fitted a WP shock that was a bit longer than standard making it tippy toe but again it was never a problem.

I will probably get pasted by Neil - but anyway...
If the bike feels unstable as you start and stop - like it weaves a bit. Check the steering bearings. Mine felt fine but failed the MOT on head bearings. New taper rollers fitted, it handled so much better at all speeds and pulling away was straight as a die. I realised how critical they can be.

Granny and eggs mode on
Dont drag/dangle one or both legs as you pull away. As soon as its moving put both feet on the pegs. Same for stopping. The bike can be virtually stopped before you need to put a foot down. It's far more stable when body parts are not flapping about.
Granny and eggs mode off