Author Topic: Replacement shocks question, how to mount springs?  (Read 2061 times)

Offline Strawboss

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Replacement shocks question, how to mount springs?
« on: June 26, 2013, 06:40:36 PM »
I'm thinking of replacing the shocks on my '82 KZ550A but every maker sells them separately from the springs which need to be mounted. Ok, I can understand that, different springs, different rates. Other than going to a dealer and paying loads of money because then you'll have to buy it from them, and again, understandable, how am I supposed to get springs mounted on my shocks? Is it very difficult to make a spring compressor? I want to buy new, not used. Why doesn't Progressive mount some springs to shocks in popular rates? From my research the Progressive shocks for vintage bikes are only made for a few years applications, ok, so make up a bunch for those years, you'll sell every one of them. Am I missing something cause its been over 20 years since I've looked into shocks for this bike.
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2001 Concours-1982 KZ550A-1979 Triumph Bonneville-1995 Honda SA50

Offline gPink

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Offline GeeBeav

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Re: Replacement shocks question, how to mount springs?
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2013, 08:40:03 PM »
I looked at Progressive's site, and looks like the body and spring are listed separately, as you said. Maybe they will assemble them if you call. From what I've found, a 12 Series shock becomes a 412 Series when it's assembled.
Ebay has a lot of KZ550 shocks that are assembled, including Progressive.
denniskirk.com, among others, sells them assembled also. Again, it may take a phone call to locate the correct ones.
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Offline Strawboss

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Re: Replacement shocks question, how to mount springs?
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2013, 09:13:49 PM »
Thanks, I figured places like kirk would sell them assembled, I've only checked online, guess I need to make some calls. Thanks gpink, those Hagons are nice, I need some for my Triumph too, now I gotta figure out how many mm's 13.5 inches is!
COG 5852-AMA Life 302525-NRA 9098599-SASS
2001 Concours-1982 KZ550A-1979 Triumph Bonneville-1995 Honda SA50

Offline George R. Young

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Re: Replacement shocks question, how to mount springs?
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2013, 06:54:29 AM »
If you need to compress the springs, a bunch of hose clamps.
65 CB160 (67-69), 69 350GTR (69-72), 72 R5, 73 RD350 (73-84), 82 XZ550 Vision (84-03), 01 Concours C10 (03-19), 89 EX250 (11-14), 00 SV650S (14-16), 03 SV650S (19-)