A couple of changes.

I've made acouple of changes to my 650. I removed the springs and replaced them with struts and fixed the dent in the tank and removed the logos on the tank and side panels then gave is a new coat of paint. I took it out for a ride and it rode real nice. Of course I just about froze my family jewels off but it was still fun. I plane on changing the seat to a single as soon as I figure out what kind I want then I'll change the finder. I got all winter to decide.

 

Ok, I gotta ask the question. Why do so many people remove shocks and replace with solid struts????

My reasons for asking.

Comfort. Remember that most "hardtails also run huge rear tyres that absorb some of the bumps. I'm too old to have the road bumps traveling up my spine anymore.

Safety. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the primary purpose of a shock is not comfort, it's traction control. While braking or cornering the shock helps push down on the wheel to keep it in contact with the road. In cornering it helps in "loading up" the springs to give better stability and traction.

With a hardtail, if you hit a bump on a corner, the cushioning in the tyre will "bounce" the rear of the bike up and without a dampening effect will lose traction. No traction on a bike can end in tears.

Not a dig at you personally XJJeff, your not the first and won't be the last, but I'm just interested in why people are fascinated with doing it. Shorter shocks will lower it and can be bought at all sorts of stiffness.

If it's the hardtail harley wannabe then I think the XJ has the wrong design for that.

Cheers
HG

 

HG thanks for asking. I have the same question.

I'd worry that the wheel hop from being unsprung could cause loss of traction at a very bad moment.

Also, don't need my old a-- pounded either.

 

Jeff, what mufflers do you have on your bike? I like how simple and clean they are.

 

They are custom made from stailess steel.

 

I like comfort plus the look of it shoks very good

 

I bought this bike because I considerd it a challange to turn a drive shaft motorcycle into a chopper. As far as a wannabe the first bike I owned was a 550-4 Honda on a ridged frame 30 years ago before the wide tires they use today. I put many miles on that bike and never had a problem. The tire that was on my other bike is the same as I have now 130/90x16. I'm 50 years old now and I'm just not a sheep and I like to do things different.

 

Dang, I was really hoping that was something I could just pick up a catalog and order from somewhere.