A friend bought a used 1989 Mojave, after he had it and rode it - he realized the rear shock was beat. Based on other posts here - and his pricing research - it looks awful pricey to replace this with a new Kawasaki shock. I saw someone say on one of these boards that the Lakota has the same suspension as the Mojave - are there any other interchangeable shocks for this quad?

I looked at one used Mojave and the guy claimed that it had a rear shock from a dirt bike?

Any ideas? He only paid like 1500 for the quad and doesn't want to have too much invested in this hobby - we don't get to ride too much anyway.

Thanks.

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Helter,

I may have the answer to your friend's problem. I believe he has the same rear shock as my 97 Lakota. I had the same dilemma. If you look at the topic, "We are being ripped off!" you will see the possible sources of replacements.

However, first have your friend make sure that his shock is bad. I was told by the delaer that mine was bad, and it felt weak, so I took their word, not knowing any better then. I shopped around on the internet and found a replacement, which was too expensive. I put it on myself, because the Kawasaki dealer wanted $100 to install it, although it is basically a 2 bolt job. Well, the new one felt just like the one I replaced! The shock is adjustable, so I found out how to adjust it and did so, and it is nice and firm now.

Tell your friend to lift the rear of his Mojave with a jack. That takes weight off the rear shock. Then get a big wrench, it doesn't have to be a "special wrench," although there are such things. He should turn it counter-clockwise. If it is similar to mine, and I beileve it is, then it will have 5 settings. The standard setting is 2, which is pretty mushy. I put mine at 4. If that doesn't work, let me know. I think I have a good rear shock, but I will have to test it first to make sure.

Otherwise, your friend is looking at over $400 for an after-market shock (rebuildable), or at least $540 for a Kawasaki one (which is not rebuildable).

Clay

 

I had seen your message - that's why I was thinking if we could find a used shock from a motorcylce or something - we might be able to get him going a little better.

I'll look into the adjustment thing - Probably tomorrow night - I thought he had looked at it and seen that it wasn't adjustable - but I'll certainly take a second look now! Even if the shock is beat - setting it up to a higher setting might make it more bearable - and that would be an improvement! I doubt he's up for spending that kind of money right now.

Thanks again for the help!

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Helter Skelter

92 Honda Fourtrax 250X - First Quad was a Banshee!

 

Helter,
If your friend can't fix his prolem, a rear shock of a 250R or 350X work really well. I have a 350X rear shock on mine and it is so much better than the Mojave shock and they are much cheaper too! You can pick up a good uesd shock for around $150. All you have to do is grind off the spacers on the swingarm and the ones on the top shock mount.

 

Thanks for the help guys - his shock was already in the highest position - #5 - so I think it really is beat.

He's going to look for a used one - so I might be back on looking for advice about grinding things down - I'm a real novice so that concept frightens me - but my friend is more bold with this stuff.

To the guy with the old shock - have you tested it? Do you think its good - how much for you to part with it if its good?


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Helter Skelter

92 Honda Fourtrax 250X - First Quad was a Banshee!

 

Hey Helter,

I'm the one with the Lakota shock. I'll check it this weekend. I bet the shock is okay, because it was still set on 2 (standard setting) when I got it back from the Kawasaki Dealer. It didn't look like they had even touched it. As I said in my earlier post, the brand new shock felt just like the one I replaced, and it was also set at the 2nd setting. Let me check the rear shock (Its a 97), and I'll get back to you.

If your friend decides to get a new one, he should get a rebuildable aftermarket shock. he wouldn't want to ever have to replace it again, I'm sure.

Good riding

Clay

[This message has been edited by kclayd (edited 11-01-1999).]