Hey Mywayout,


Thanks alot for responding, would you have any pics. I also was told that if its too stiff when riding alone, I can just adjust them softer. And I guess I was not clear, but I meant shock and spring swap. Deealer said he would order them, and beacuse my machine is only a couple months old he would only charge me the difference in price between the 2 so he said around 20.00. Not bad eh!

THanks

 

Now heres a question for ya's. Will these longer X2 shocks work in my 500? And what about the fronts? Could I use 800 or X2 front springs and shocks? I'm always lookin for a little more lift for clearance and if this would work it would be sweet. If anyone has tried please let me know. Todd

 

ScrammyTodd - If the X2 shocks/springs work on an 800 they should work on a 500. The front struts/spring on the X2 are the same ones as on your 500 so they won't provide you with any lift or stiffening. If you want to compare part #'s to see what is the same or different between models bikebandit dot com is a good place to go.

 

Thanks for the info, but what are you guys using to lift the fronts? My front shocks are almost maxed with my HD springs, so a spacer won't be much use in between the shock and spring. I was thinking of pulling the shock out of the strut and putting a spacer in the bottom of the strut but I don't know how much the shock sits in the strut body. Any ideas? Thanks Todd

 

I think that some lift companies use about a 1" spacer under the shock and a spacer under the spring as well to compensate for the extra length of shock above the hub. The shock goes into the hub several inches, so with 1" of lift there should still be plenty of clamping force on the shock.

 

Thanks for the replies. You guys are great. Well looks like I'm of to the lathe to make some spacers, and off to the dealer to order some springs and shocks. Hopefully my war with ground clearance will finally be won. I'm tied with my buddy with 14.5" at my lowest spot. He's always bragging about having the most and now with a little work and a little money I'll surely have him beat now. Thanks again guys and gals

 

I have tried a number of lift kits and have settled with the best.... My own!
2" lift was too much... had issues with knuckles breaking and even a front wheel shaft pulling out!
So I started to slowly raise the height with variations of an aluminum block that I have machined.

I settled with 1" lift kit spacers... both under the spring and under the shock in the shock tower.
Excellent results and leveled the machine off nicely.

I have drawings of the parts if your interested.

The HD springs have a more aggressive spring rate... but from my knowledge they are about 3/4" - 1" shorter than the stock spring...

I have also perfected the 3-way headlight mod...
the reverse over-ride on a factory style switch...
an inexpensive hand and thumb warmer kit...
factory style switches for a horn, fan, reverse light, and many more....

Later,
Jon

 

We need pictures! Or I do, this machine sounds really nice.
Mywayout, thanks for all the good information.

 

Gonna need some e-mail addresses...
Better yet....
Here's mine....

JKR308@HICKORYTECH.NET

The drawings I have in .pdf form...

Just shoot me a line and I will see if I can help you out!

Jon

 

I don't like having spacers under the strut. I liked the lift spacers only. The ones under the strut allowed too much suspension travel for my liking. Going up steep hills, is where I hated it most, this is not a good place for excessive body roll! Makes the front end feel way Too light on hill climbs. This is just my opinion.