Harley Davidson shocks as replacement

[Tenshots1]

I did this to replace the worn out air shocks on my KZ750 spectre. The harley air shocks are made by Showa, same company that made the originals for the KZ. Pretty easy to install, press out the old shock bushings and press in some new Kawasaki ones. The airlines are easy to install and they come with a schrader valve so adjustment is easy. Vast improvement over the old worn out Kawasaki shocks.

This sounds promising. I think I will begin looking closely at ebay for a set and, of course, will come back with my results if I have them.

[lurch12_2000]

This sounds promising. I think I will begin looking closely at ebay for a set and, of course, will come back with my results if I have them.

I bought a used set in new condition off ebay a few years ago for my '80 1000G. Inexpensive at around $50 shipped because they get swapped out by the HD crowd for aftermarket stuff. They were 13" eye to eye which is a tad bit longer than the original GS's stock shocks. The eye is slightly wider too than stock GS shocks which meant I needed a single thinner outer washer to still have enough threads on the shock stud to safely secure. I also had to take a dremmel and cut the swing arm tang stop off to allow proper travel. After all that I was happy with the ride and the additional clearance that kept the exhaust from scraping in hard cornering BUT...they only lasted about 500 miles when one side blew a seal and leaked all over the place. I threw them out and went back to the originals. I wouldn't go through that again and would spring (no pun intended) for $200 Progressives instead. I figured the HD, which was NOT a Sportster, they came off was at least 100lbs heavier than my GS1000G and would hold up but they didn't.

Note: In fairness I ride in the cold year round and when frost heaves are at their worst in early spring which is brutal for the rear suspension but still was disappointed with the HD stuff. That's why I have a vStrom now.

[Buffalo Bill]

And were those HD shocks made in Milwaukee?

[lurch12_2000]

And were those HD shocks made in Milwaukee?

Don't know. Maybe made by little green people from another planet. These days with components sourced everywhere it's hard to blame any one country for poor quality or rely on the US as a mark of good quality. Things made in China may be toxic, India may be cheap and some third world countries use slave labor and children. The best we can do is read reviews on line, do a little research, check the forum and then make your own decision....probably more often than not it comes down to price?

[shakeybone]

I found some Sportster shock on CL that the woman had swaped for lower shocks when the bike was new. I put them on my 650E and think they are great. I had to swap the bushings but otherwise they bolted on.
They are taller so the back of the bike is higher reducing the trail so the handling is improved, and they aren't worn out like the original ones. I am sure a good pair of Works or Ohlins would be a bigger improvement but you cant beat the price.