WOOHOO!! They're HERE!! Finally...

Got myself a little something for Xmas and after a couple of shipping delays, they're finally here!

Progressive 440 Series shocks. Mmmmm... Chock full of bouncy goodness! 11", eye-to-eye with a nice a heavy spring rate and a price that didn't make me cringe! Now I just have to wait til it's warm enough to actually work on the bike so I can mount 'em...

 

You won't be sorry. First thing I did for both my 550 Secas.

 

Why was it one of the first things you did, Fitz? I hadn't even thought of it, but maybe I should.

They sure are pretty, MaximumX.

 

Yup. They are purty...

As for why to change them, the shocks on our bikes are ~25yrs old. Sure they don't see the mileage that a car of that age does but that's still a lot of years on 'em and they take their toll. Besides, even out of the box, the original shocks were nothing to write home about.

Of course, in my case I wanted to go with something a little shorter than stock. I rode last summer with some Suzuki Savage shocks (10.5") and I loved them. Lower centre of gravity made the bike feel really planted and stable and it improved the handling. My only complaint with those ones was that they would bottom out occasionally. Actually, the shocks didn't bottom out but I'd get some tire rub on the inner fender. That's why I went with the Progressives. Slightly longer, less travel and heavier spring rate.

 

And the burning question of course -- where'd you get them from, and how much?

 

eBay, of course.

$102.50 for the shocks plus $30 for shipping to Canada and Customs dinged me for about $25. All told, just under $200CAD.

 

Do you still have the savage shocks?

 

I do, but for now I'm planning on putting them on another bike.

 

what spring rates do you guys have? do you think 300/350 would be crazy on the back.. i'm 275 and like a firm ride and will prob have at least 3 or 4 rides this year packed down with 50+ pounds of gear.

 

Do these shocks have any kind of adjustment ... or 1 size fits all?

 

Because the KYB units the bikes came with weren't very good even when brand new. Further, they didn't last more than about 6000 miles before they went from just being crap to being worn out crap.

I used Progressive Suspension 12-series with chrome springs on the '81 and black springs on the '83. The "vanity caps" on the 12-series are plastic so those went bye-bye; they LOOK stock but perform oh so much better. The rear turn signal comparison shot in my gallery shows both sets very clearly.

 

Yeah, Fitz, your shocks do look sweet.

You polished covers look sweet as well.

 

well if that doesnt happen id be interested in them.

 

MaximumX ... have you tried out those shocks yet? And what???

 

Not yet, Driver. We haven't been getting that balmy Langley weather here in Ottawa yet. I'll post up when the weather warms and I get a chance to mount them. Maybe end of March?

 

best improvement you can make on the xj.

You can still buy them new... google progressive - you're looking for the 412/418 IIRC. It has been awhile.

 

maximumx: you got a great deal on those shocks. I've searched ebay and they are twice what you paid for yours. Those are some sweet shocks BTW.

 

That was no accident, believe me. I'm not known for my reckless generosity when it comes to buying bike parts on eBay. Or anything else, for that matter. :wink:

The seller I got them from seems to have a good supply of them, though. I see them listed regularly with a start of $9.99. Nothing of Maxim/Seca stock length/spring rate but if you're looking to lower they're worth checking out.

 

Will these shocks fit the XJ550 Maxim 1981?? My shocks are totally gone and spungy!!

 

You can get exact replacement shocks for your bike for just about the same amount of money.

 

Thanx alot for the info!!!

 

I just ordered a set of these!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcyc ... 240%3A1318

 

Hey, those look sweet!

Tell me how they ride (and give us some pics on an XJ)

 

I will. You are the best cleaner upper, painter, fixer, I think I've ever witnessed!

 

That bike is awesome.

 

Thanks David,

I just started tearing apart X1, so I'll have another one to ride!
I gained a lot of experience on the first (and I don't need to finish quickly so I can ride) so it should be a bit more fun this time around.

I think the blue anodized pressure cans would look great on X2

 

They arrived today. I think I choose the wrong color. The blue is almost a purple like color. Looked more blue online. Oh well, I might have to paint the springs. I had to use my rubber bushings. The Frame has 14mm studs. They are 1/4 inch shorter dispite adjusting but what a difference! I rode it down a long brick street that i ride about every day. The bike is so much more stable now and I first noticed the change stopping. No longer does it rock when the front fork spring becomes unloaded. I can't include picture. See gallery.

 

OOOOH!! Designer Mike ... that is real pretty ... you don't ride it to do you?

 

Really purdy! And according to the ebay ad they came all the way from France, France! I just got some parts for another bike. They came in 3 days? Postage? $3.50 from freakin England.