Cutting shocks shorter

Any suggestions on cutting shocks and re-welding them? My 1982 Yamaha
Maxim XJ1100J is in the process of becoming a chopper. The front end
is where I need it, but I need to lower the rear by at least 2 inches.
Considering getting shorter shocks, but can't find any yet.
Considering cutting the shock shaft and re-welding it, but don't even
know if that is an idea worth considering. Forget about the fact that
you think morphing a Yamaha Cruiser into a chopper is idiotic (yeah, I
have been asked "Why the hell are you doing that?"). My answer is,
"Because I can and it's paid for so what the hell."

If cutting is totally moronic, then what about suggestions for 10"
shocks (inexpensive if at all possible)? May need to get shocks
shorter than that. I originally calculated my need to be about 9.5",
so I am not really sure. Any help is greatly appreciated, smart ass
remarks are welcome too, but will not be considered...

 

Do you have enough clearance for rear wheel travel with 2" shorter shocks?
It's a lot easier to move the shock mounts than to modify a shock itself.
You might be able to find a lowering kit, like this one from JC Whitney.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-4103/c-10111
Rob

 

Brady wrote:

It's far easier to move the mounts. Where are you located?


--
Later,

Charlie

It's illegal in Cleveland to get married in a bathing suit.

 

Thanks for the link. Yes, I have room for lowering. Have to relocate
my rear brake master cylinder, but that is not a big deal. The big
thing with relocating the shock mounts is another story. Can't
relocate the lower mounts. The left side lower mount is part of the
drive shaft. A stud comes out of the shaft that you mount the shock
to. I was going to move the lower mounts aft about 1" and then
relocate the upper mounts fwd a scoche. So...now I am down to shorter
shocks.

 

Hank,
Yeah I was afraid that the seals may get ruined. I never really
wanted to do that. I kinda like the idea of either cutting the
springs a little or "reshaping" them. Definitely going to look for
some shorter shocks though.

 

Yeah, relocating the mounts sounded like a good idea until I ran
across the left side that is part of the shaft assy. What a bummer.
Totally took the wind out of my sails for a bit. They're fillin back
up though. I am located in Central Arkansas.

 

Another way to shorten the shock is to remove the spring, run a long bolt

I haven't actually done this, but I've heard of it for changing the ride
height in cars.

I don't agree with the becoming stiffer part though, as you mention wire
size and number of coils. The other variable a spring cares about is the
diameter of the helix.

If you put in the oven as you say, it may creep to a shorter length but its
rate should not change. You haven't changed any of the 3 things above. Or
its E.

Chopping the spring shorter would change the natural frequency of the
suspension (higher). Apparently there is a narrow band which people feel
compfy with, it's something like .5 to .9 Hz. (sports car to mushy sedan).
Much faster and it becomes to annoying.

I wouldn't cut down springs without some research 1st.

D.

 

Don't know where exactly the top mounts are located on a Maxim, but you
could probably move them up and forward with a bit of body work and minor
cutting & re-welding . I did so on my KZ, my shocks used to mount just below
the rear cowl plastic, they now mount through it, as an added bonus they
help hold the cowl in place.

Tom B

 

"How To Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn...

Cool you should mention this book! I have a copy, had it since the mid '70s.
Found it... its yellowed, dog eared, and has greasey fingerprints on some
popular pages. The printed price on the bottom right corner says $4.95, the
actual price tag says $3.25 !

Spent lots of time pouring over this book at the time, used the info in it
to size and build sway bars for several cars.

Great book, checked Chapters and it's still in print for ~$20 Ca. Very
worthwhile 20 bucks.

Cheers

D.

 

Instead of the lower mounts, the uppers could probably be relocated with
some kind of brackets. Central Arkansas is a little far from my driveway,
though.