My First Modification

Hey guys... I've been reading this forum for quite some time now, and want to thank all of you for your vast amount of knowledge and inspiration. I've owned by '85 XJ700 for over 2 years, and yesterday I finally completed my first mod.

I picked up a set of 650 Savage shocks off ebay over the winter, and just put them on yesterday. It took me a while to do so since I figured I'd "HAVE TO" modify my kickstand. Not having a torch or vice, or much to work with, I was putting it off. Finally yesterday, I said f*** IT and decided to put them on and see what happened...

So, the shocks went on without any issues, and I didn't need to cut or bend my kickstand. It does sit a little more upright than I'd prefer, but it works...

I've only got a before pic right now, as it's been raining all day, and I spent last night riding... if the weather clears up tomorrow, I'll post another pic with the shorter shocks.

 

looking foreward to seeing more posts by u as u modify more..

 

How does it ride with the savage shocks?

 

Rides pretty much the same as the old ones to be honest... The only difference I found was getting used to the lower ride hight for the 1st 30 mins or so... it kinda felt like riding a different bike. Took me a little bit to regain my confidence. After riding a bit though, I really liked it... especially stopping at traffic lights and such. I'm a short guy (5'7") and I really like the seating position when stopped.

I've been taking it easy on it so far, in fear that the lower ride height could cause poor clearance in cornering and such... but nothing has scraped yet... so far so good... think I'm going to remove the center stand to give me that little bit of extra clearance.

 

The center stand is handy when working on it, Keep ahold of it for that reason.. How far did it lower it?

 

I want an 85 XJ700!! That is one good looking bike!

 

Kspallaxj650, I agree the center stand is useful, especially doing oil changes and such... but I also don't like the look of it much...

I'd say it's lowered at least a good 2". I'll try to take a pic of the bike tomorrow so you can get a real comparison.

 

Yeah i think the same mine is coming off when the bike is mostly finished but it will get hung up for later use.

 

The Center Stand is a Safety Device.

When you are working n the Bike, the Center Stand protects YOU and the BIKE.

You can't remove a Wheel and get a Flat Tire fixed without the center Stand.
You need the Center Stand to Check your OIL.

If you are dragging your Center Stand ... you lowered it too much.

 

oh no, another one has gotten the MODDING bug, becareful because it get to be alot of fun!

 

Ok, as promised, I've got a pic of the bike after I put the savage shocks on it... after going for a nice ride this evening (around 100kms) I find the bike definitely rides nicer with these shocks... maybe they're just newer, who knows... but it's nice...

 

That settles it, I'm getting Savage shocks for mine.

 

nice and slammed.

as for the center stand, go ahead and take it off, when you want to change your rear tire or changfe the oil, just finger tighten the nuts for it and use it and take it back off..

 

You will regret big time if you remove the center stand.

As Rick pointed out,you need it for all your maint issues
(or most anyway).

I've concidered putting on short springs for the same reasons
you have. Now that I know how they look I'll def be looking
for a pair!

 

I found the same thing when I put Savage shocks on my X. I think the lower centre gravity gives the bike a more planted feel. However, I also found that I would get an unsettling rebound out of dips in the road at speed, especially with a passenger. I'm not sure the spring rates are the best for me and my bike. I eventually swapped on a pair of short and heavily sprung Progressive 440s and the bike feels better than ever.

All that to say, go easy until you know how those new shocks will react to all road conditions.

Bike looks great, btw. Now for your next mod: Front wheel

 

schooter, I'm thinking along your train of thought... to remove it for riding, and keep it for re-installation when needed. In fact, with the bike so low, I couldn't even get it up on it's center stand yesterday when I tried. Seems like it's going to be a two man job from now on, or else I'll park it on a block of wood or something to make it easier.

As an added note. I originally mentioned that I didn't need to modify the kick stand. That's only sort of true. I have not modified it, but the bike stands up almost straight now. Makes me nervous when I'm parked at a gas station with a crappy paving job. I'm definitely going to have to heat/bend it to let the bike sit lower with the kick stand.

 

For maint. issues, you can always use a floor jack.

 

Yeah, that way when you:

-trip over the handle

-or pull on a part too hard and the jack rolls

-or as you're working at the bench the bike is slowly lowering cuz you didn't tighten the valve enough

- or you accidently kick the wheels

- or the 2x4 slips off

and your bike falls over, then you can wish you kept the center stand.

Dave

 

how much clearance does the rear wheel have from the fender?
will it touch at all with a large bump, or with a passenger?

 

When I said that you could use a floor jack, I made the mistake of assuming that you would know how to use it properly. Always make a cradle platform so that the bike doesn't move around and always remove the handle because it is a trip hazard. However if any of us are too big a klutz to work around basic shop tools then maybe they should hire someone to work on their own bike. :lol:

 

I dropped one of my projects petty much the same as yours. I removed the kickstand bar and bent it "out" using a 20 ton shop press. Moderate bending in strategic locations made the bike sit better on the stand. Using the press
I didn't have to heat the kickstand and chance re-tempering the metal.