Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Rebound Spacer???

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kawdude:
Where would one go to buy a rebound spacer for the KX rear shock.  I've seen pics that show a .5" thick white plastic spacer to limit the shock rebound.  I just don't know where to buy or if I can make it.  My goal is to lower the bike.

Thanks!

Rick:
Here is what I have done in the past.  Leave the shock alone, and change the drag link (often called dog bone).  If you take a look under your suspension, you will find that there are two arms bolted to the swing arm just in from of the tire and extend frontward to the shock linkage.  If you make a new matched set of these arms, you can modify the height of the rear of your bike.  Start by making a set ? inch longer than the originals.  If this still does not do the trick, add or subtract a little on the next set until you get the desired result.  Also, since the bolts do not turn in the holes, I have never installed brass inserts, but I know other folks who have fashioned brass inserts.  Keep in mind that you will also need to push more of the front fork through the top triple clamp to keep the bike balances.

In order to make sure you have a matched set, drill your first hole in each bar (either together in a drill press vice or separately), and bolt the two bars together through the first hole.  Drill the second hole as one unit, and then round the ends of the bars on a belt sander while still bolted together.  Use aluminum stock the same thickness as the stock bars to ensure you will have sufficient strength.  

As a note, some folks choose to lower the rear by loosening the spring.  This only serves to ruin any chance of having rear suspension that is works at speed.

Good luck

Rick

mikesmith:
Make sure you leave enough meat on the ends where the bolt goes through.I know a guy who had them to thin there after making a set and the bolt streached the eye of the dog bone out.So he wedged a stick in the swing arm to hold the back of the bike up so he could limp back and was checking it so often,well the chain started to rub the stick and it caught on fire.He said he felt it starting to get warm,then saw the flames!Stoped and threw dirt on it,but the plastic had already caught on fire and it was all over.Watched his bike burn to the ground and walked out.

Rick:
Ouch! :shock: Now that's an ugly story!

kawdude:
This sounds like a plan.  I can't loosen the rear spring because I'm about 270 with gear.  This does bring up several questions...
Where does one get aluminum to fab this especially at this thickness?
I don't have the bones at my house.  How thick are they so I can buy the flat stock...3/8"?
What size holes need to be drilled? Just make it close?
If I want the brass bushings where could I find these or would you just make them?
How much lower will the bike be with a half inch longer bone...

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