Can you use eye to eye shocks with lowering blocks.

[skate38cjk]

The item in question is a set of 1977 KZ 650 lowering links that are going to be put on my 1978 KZ 650.

The stock shock set up for a 1977 KZ 650 appears to be eye to eye shocks. This is the same as my 1978 KZ 650. Also, the frame appears to be the exact same from 1977 to 1978. Also, these lowering blocks appear to look exactly like the same kind of lowering blocks that I have seen on countless other bikes that have eye to clevis.

My question to everybody out there is has anybody every used stock eye to eye shocks with lowering links. I've looked through a bunch of threads and can only find eye to clevis shocks being used with lowering blocks. Could I reverse the lowering blocks, and put the clevis end of the lowering block into where my original eye bracket for my shock was, and than fit the eye of the shock onto the U shaped part of the lowering block. Or are these meant for only eye to clevis type shocks.

I hope that isn't confusing.



Here is the bike in question

and here are what my shocks look like now.

 

[skate38cjk]

Re: Can you use eye to eye shocks with lowering links.

Does anybody know?

 

[Big R]

Just guessing, I've never done it personally. But if you rigged up some kind of bushing/sleeve contraption it might be possible. But do you really wanna "rig" up something like your suspension? If they are made for eye-to-clevis shocks then I'm sure you can find some cheap ones to work on Ebay. Hell, you could probably find some lower shocks while you are at it. Check out www.jerryscycles.com. I know they have shorter shocks but they might not fit your length/weight

And that was kinda confusing, probably why nobody answered.

 

[beater]

well, I am no expert, but I am getting ready to make some adjustable blocks for my kz from welding some plates to the factory mounts. If you want to lower your ride on a twin shock bike with no adjustments, then just get shorter shocks. You may have to press out the bushings for them to work on a kawi, as the lower is a small diameter bush usually.

you can also dump some coin on ride height adjustable shocks from koni, ohlins or the like, but that could be neat 1k. Probably not what your after.

j

 

[Scruffy]

Skinny part goes where the eye went in the swingarm. Shock eye goes in the fat end. You might have to dress the shock eye bushings a touch with a file. Yes, it works fine, I have a set of those for my CL72. They are actually a reversible item according to the paperwork that came with mine, a new old stock set for $7.00 a couple years ago. They are for true swingarms though, don't fit well on shafties (had got them for an Intruder).

They dropped the back end about 3 inches, a bit more than I wanted. Up for grabs if anybody wants to try them. Just pay shipping.

 

[skate38cjk]

Thank you, I really appreciate the help. I'm sorry that was confusing, I should have just asked if they were reversible.

I got them for $15 with shipping, so I'll let everyone know how installing them goes when I receive them.

Thanks a lot!

 

[skate38cjk]

Well I received the lowering blocks yesterday and installed them within 10 minutes. They fit like a glove and the bike really is starting to look pretty good. Next up, getting rid of that guage cluster and than a new exhaust and rear-sets.

I know I had a lot of questions about lowering blocks, so if anybody else does I would be glad to help.

 

[Big R]

Glad to see they worked out well for you! Just be careful on that first trial run - hit any speed bumps a little slow at first.