specific rear shock upgrade info desired 82 xj750j maxim

As suggested I'm starting a new thread.

Info: 82 xj750j maxim. Full vetter touring kit (windjammer fairing, hard trunk and removable hard saddlebags). Wife and me and empty luggage ~500lbs. No long "touring" yet. Original OEM shocks.

In the past I was mentioned I might want to upgrade to heavy duty shocks. Well now I'm asking for specific suggestions/brands/models/links.

If it matters I also have a (larger dia?) Seca rear tire I'd like to also install.

And new shocks can't be to bulky because if the saddlebag brackets. (Could do pics in a few days).

Hopefully something will work under $500.

If I NEED to I could ask same questions about front shocks.

Notes: I/we can ride but I think I SHOULD upgrade. I'd prefer upgrades that can be reversed (no frame hacking or welding) if possible.

 

Are these heavy duty enough?
http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Progressive- ... ategory=21

 

That's a start. (But don't buy them there.) I used Progressive 12-series with stock rate springs on both of my Seca 550s, but again, you have different demands.

Anyway; go to the Progressive site, and look up "what fits my Ride?" for your bike. http://www.progressivesuspension.com/productsearch.aspx

It will give you specific part numbers for each of their series; you can look in the "catalog" to see what each part number looks like. With the 12-series and 18-series, you buy the spring kits (in black or chrome) separately and they list both "standard" and "HD" for those as well.
You will also find Progressive's fork springs for your bike listed there.

Ikon's site; more expensive but they come with adjustable rebound damping: http://www.ikonsuspension.com/index.shtml
They also offer fork springs.

Climbing up the price ladder, Works Performance makes some VERY NICE shocks with a few different choices for your bike, but getting near the OMG dollar range: http://www.worksperformance.com/html/street.html
And they offer forks spring kits as well.

About fork springs: Some lively discussion here: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29435.html on the subject. The bottom line is the stock fork springs weren't very good to begin with and are quite often sagged out; a new set of Progressives is well under $100 and makes a world of difference. Highly recommended.

 

Wow thanks.

I will check those out.

 

I can't seem to find any info/pics of the "12" or "18" series.

The 412 series seems to be only $25 more expensive than 12 + springs and the springs seem to be preinstalled?

Would it be correct to assume 412 is better than 12?

Other than no return/exchange policy any other reason not to look on ebay for them?

- - - - -

Front shocks springs obviously involve disassembling and rebuilding. Not impossible but a little more work than simply bolting on.

The other more expensive sites are even harder to navigate and probably out of my price range anyways...

 

Progressive tends to "hide" the 12 series and 18 series for some reason, I can't figure out why. Retailers carry them nonetheless.

Yes, the 412's have the springs on them already and have spiffier (aluminum vs. steel) components, although engineering-wise, they're the same. The 412's and the other higher end series also have real metal spring shrouds, the 12's came with plastic ones I threw away.

Here's a pic of both my 550 Secas with the 12-Series shocks. (The black bike is in the very early stages of its resurrection at this point in case you notice any inconsistent details.)

 

I like the black on black shocks look, but the chrome on black is equally sexy.

Are the 12s hard to assemble? I've never messed with shocks and I saw a shock assembly tool on their website...

Though truth be told, with my Vetter saddle bags you can barely see the shocks so looks are a minor concern (unless I start leaving the bags off - which is very easy with the ones I have).

I'll shoot you a pm about some other nice looking parts I see...

 

Assembly requires an assistant and a reasonably strong grasp; I've never had a problem doing them purely by hand.

I put chrome shocks on the '81 because that's what it came with; likewise the '83. Yamaha had started a nice "blackout job" on the '83 550, I wish they'd carried it further. So I did.

 

Will any 12.5 shock mount up hmmmm