3 straightforward questions....

[QuaiChangKane]

The bike's in pieces, and one thing's leading to another - as they always do....

I've got three simple questions - hopefully you old vets have some simple answers:


1. Has anyone performed a shock-swap on an '83 750ED? I'm toying with the idea of having this one rebuilt at a local suspension shop, but it's bound to be at least as expensive as buying a newer shock from a salvaged bike. Even if I get mine rebuilt, I'm still stuck with a rebuilt 21 year-old shock (providing they can even find parts to rebuild it with). If anyone's done the swap, or heard of it - which models can be used for donors?

2. Will the swingarm caps from an '83 1150E fit on my 750? If not, what are the measurements for the arms on the 1150 swingarm? Se below:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=35595&item=2460609941&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT

3. Does anyone know this guy? He's selling some plastics on eBay, and his reserve is pretty steep. I doubt that anyone's going to bid over his reserve (trust me, I tried fishing for his reserve before I bluntly asked him what it was), and I was wondering if I should try dealing with him after the auction ended:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=34284&item=2459747574&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBBI%3AIT

That's about it. I'm just waiting for the CBR600F1 clip-ons I got raped on to arrive (eBay bidding wars will be the death of me), and am awaiting my new fork seals and misc. bits from bikebandit. Next will be progressive springs and braided brake lines - and I still can't find a 4-1 header!!!!

Thanks in advance,

-Q!

[Anonymous]

Shocks...the ones with the clevis bottom are hard to find. I did a lot of looking last month and noticed that the CBs had this type. Maybe the KZs too, but I don't recall for sure. Both of these bikes are just as old as what you've currently got. Whoever replaced the rear shocks on my 1100 went right to progressive for a proper match. Probably because it's the easiest way...plus he had enough money to buy a Harley in the end. :roll:

Steve

[mdole]

Do your shocks have a round eye on the bottom of a clevis mount. I have an extra set of progressive shocks that I got that had the round eyes so I couldn't use them.

Mike

[robinjo]

The '83 750 had the monoshock rear if I'm correct right? Just to clear things up. Goodluck with your bike!

p.s. I'm working on the exhaust Donald!

[Anonymous]

Mike! As long as Q isn't interested, I am! I'm in need of a pair of shocks around 13.x" long with eyes on both ends. My 400s shocks are leaking oil all over the place.

I park beside an '83 1100 and it's got twin shocks, I just assumed the bikes where identical more or less.

Steve

[QuaiChangKane]

Glad I could help you out, Srivett!!!


Story of my life!


'Tis true - I have the first year of the monoshock rear - that's why it's so hard to find a shock. Bikebandit shows that a factory replacement is still available, but it runs $725.00!!!!

](*,)


There's gotta be a better way....

:-({|=


-Q!

[mdole]

Mike! As long as Q isn't interested, I am! I'm in need of a pair of shocks around 13.x" long with eyes on both ends. My 400s shocks are leaking oil all over the place.

I park beside an '83 1100 and it's got twin shocks, I just assumed the bikes where identical more or less.

Steve

I'll have to dig them out of the shed and get the info on them. I believe that they are 13.5 inches long but don't have springs as I bought another set of shocks with the clevis mount and used the springs on them. They are 14 series shocks.

I'll get the progressive part number and other information and post it here.
I went with the heavy-duty springs and they make the suspension pretty still on the softest position so I would suggest getting the standard springs.

Mike

[Billy Ricks]

Q,
An early GSXR shock might work for you. They had eyes on both ends like the stock GS shocks. Keep an eye on Ebay for a Fox or something. At least they are worth rebuilding if they need it. As long as the length and fittings work for you they can be tuned for your weight and the weight of the bike.

[Billy Ricks]

Look at these and ask the sellers question.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35592&item=2460398194

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35615&item=2461272376

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10066&item=2460051549

You can always get a stiffer spring if the length is okay.

[QuaiChangKane]

Thanks, Billy!!

[mdole]

Steve,

The shocks that I have will need a progressive 02-1352B/C (black or chrome) set of springs that progressive lists for about $60.00.

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SQA*A2IW2k75TTwccYO8lNz8buHox2KxYFap4!66TRBeu6bgV hPwMgmhBHG6GcZ06zY!YtI8FJfit2t9IFFp4oYMoJzuTqWfVI9 LOA57DVGe4byCjwi1LA/shocks.jpg?dc=4675460474045195392[/img]

These are the shocks I think they are 13.5 inches eye to eye but I'll measure them and let you know for sure. If you plan to use them on a GS400 progressive's application chart says you need 12.5-inch shocks.

If you?re interested I'll let you have them for $40.00 plus shipping.

For the springs any dealer that handles progressive products or has a parts unlimited catalog can order them for you. I'm still worried that these are too long for your bike.

Let me know if you?re still interested.

(The shocks have some scratches in the paint that shouldn't be noticeable after the springs are installed. The shocks have never been used but I did try to make an adapter so I could use them and had springs on and off. That's where the scratches came from.)

Mike

[Bolder Biker]

Re: 3 straightforward questions....

......
1. Has anyone performed a shock-swap on an '83 750ED? I'm toying with the idea of having this one rebuilt at a local suspension shop, but it's bound to be at least as expensive as buying a newer shock from a salvaged bike. Even if I get mine rebuilt, I'm still stuck with a rebuilt 21 year-old shock (providing they can even find parts to rebuild it with). If anyone's done the swap, or heard of it - which models can be used for donors?....

-Q!

Q, if you find a satisfactory monoshock replacement for your '83 750ED please let us know the type, and how you feel about its performance. I have a similar bike ("ES" version) and have been wondering what alternatives to the OE item might be suitable (if any).

Simon

[Anonymous]

You might want to try a 1st generation (96-00) Bandit 1200 shock. There's lots of them on e-bay with very few miles on them and they go for cheap because a lot of guys upgrade them to something more adjustable. I upgraded my Bandit shock with one from an early 90's GSX-R 750 and it was straight drop-in so if the GSX-R shock fits, so will the Bandit. I still have my bandit shock around but I'm keeping it for now because I will need to re-install it for a little while and get the GSX-R shock rebuilt but I could measure it for you if you like.

Here's one on ebay now with no bids on it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=35592&item=2460974198

[Anonymous]

if you find a satisfactory monoshock replacement for your '83 750ED please let us know the type

Just as a general guide, you can go to the Ohlins site (www.ohlins.com), go to "Motorcycles", then look at the "Mounting Instructions" section. They give the overall length and stroke for most of their shocks in there. This simplifies the task of figuring out what will fit on your bike if you know your OEM shock dimensions. Not all aftermarket shocks will be identical to the Ohlins models, but the basics like length and stroke are always close, so you can use this with Fox/WP, etc to get into the ballpark.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Mike: Thanks for digging the shock out. I did some searching and it doesn't look like my springs can be fitted on the progressive units so I'll pass. The 13.5" length is very close to the measured length on my bike, progressive makes there shocks as "3 sizes fits all" so they may have rounded down instead of up. You shouldn't have any trouble getting what you want for those shocks, I'm just not prepared to spend that much at this time.

Cheers, Steve