81 kawa/gpz suspension set up question

racer 07 · 11-17-2007, 02:32 PM

1981 Kawasaki 550 GPZ twin shock. I'm doing a refurbish(not a restore). Needs rear shocks. I do not have the originals. I need some set up info and shock brand recomendation. I don't think it needs a piggyback shock. No racing,some dirt (4miles) to the pavement from my house. A little washboard,sand & gravel. I'm 190lbs 32"inseem. Give me a ball park # for static sag & race sag. (Battleaxe tires) what brand shock, reasonable price. Thanks in advance for any info.

Racer 07

Grindio · 11-17-2007, 06:33 PM

Don't know what the stock shock length is but don't go over it. The 81's were bad about headshaking especially with longer than stock shocks. I raced against many on my Rd400 and saw firsthand why they called them wobblesakis. Properly set up they wern't bad. Someone like works performance or koni mght still have replacement info for the shocks.

bill pierce · 11-17-2007, 07:06 PM

I fixed up a Yamaha RD 400 a few years back and works performance did a set of shocks for me that were gas charged and had dual rate springs that worked awsome. The price was right too.

I would go here http://www.worksperformance.com/

racer 07 · 11-17-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grindio

Don't know what the stock shock length is but don't go over it. The 81's were bad about headshaking especially with longer than stock shocks. I raced against many on my Rd400 and saw firsthand why they called them wobblesakis. Properly set up they wern't bad. Someone like works performance or koni mght still have replacement info for the shocks.

They measure about 14" center to center but they're not the original shock. On a short test ride they seemed too stiff with the least amount of preload and the hydraulics were shot. Now the prior owner may have been 250lbs thats why I was looking for some sag numbers to start with. They may have also been concerned with ground clearance with the 4 into 1 header. Thanks for the info.

racer 07 · 11-17-2007, 11:59 PM

Thanks for the link. I will give them a call monday. Anybody have any sag numbers for a starting point?

ctfz1 · 11-18-2007, 05:55 AM

Check prices availability Ikon (australian were koni), Hagon, YSS, Works Performance excellent but expensive (or were).

SIKLR250 · 11-18-2007, 04:30 PM

Also check out:

http://www.nwsca.com/gpz550/

for advice if you haven't already.

Good folks there.

racer 07 · 11-18-2007, 06:50 PM

Thanks all for the help. Also thanks for the links.

11-17-2007, 02:32 PM	#1
racer 07 ^OP Lock & Load Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson Oddometer: 689	81 kawa/gpz suspension set up question 1981 Kawasaki 550 GPZ twin shock. I'm doing a refurbish(not a restore). Needs rear shocks. I do not have the originals. I need some set up info and shock brand recomendation. I don't think it needs a piggyback shock. No racing,some dirt (4miles) to the pavement from my house. A little washboard,sand & gravel. I'm 190lbs 32"inseem. Give me a ball park # for static sag & race sag. (Battleaxe tires) what brand shock, reasonable price. Thanks in advance for any info. Racer 07

11-17-2007, 11:59 PM	#5
racer 07 ^OP Lock & Load Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson Oddometer: 689	Bill Thanks for the link. I will give them a call monday. Anybody have any sag numbers for a starting point?

11-18-2007, 04:30 PM	#7
SIKLR250 NYC Joined: Dec 2005 Oddometer: 507	Also check out: http://www.nwsca.com/gpz550/ for advice if you haven't already. Good folks there. __________________

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11-17-2007, 06:33 PM	#2
Grindio Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Oddometer: 66	Don't know what the stock shock length is but don't go over it. The 81's were bad about headshaking especially with longer than stock shocks. I raced against many on my Rd400 and saw firsthand why they called them wobblesakis. Properly set up they wern't bad. Someone like works performance or koni mght still have replacement info for the shocks.

11-17-2007, 07:06 PM	#3
bill pierce I don't wana pickle Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Rockford, Wa Oddometer: 704	I fixed up a Yamaha RD 400 a few years back and works performance did a set of shocks for me that were gas charged and had dual rate springs that worked awsome. The price was right too. I would go here http://www.worksperformance.com/

11-18-2007, 05:55 AM	#6
ctfz1 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Oddometer: 1,132	Check prices availability Ikon (australian were koni), Hagon, YSS, Works Performance excellent but expensive (or were).

11-18-2007, 06:50 PM	#8
racer 07 ^OP Lock & Load Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson Oddometer: 689	Thanks all for the help. Also thanks for the links.