rear shocks

[leghorn1956]

Good day folks. My right rear air shock sprung an oil leak. Is there a kit to rebuild or should I go new. As always , thanks in advance JP

[Nails]

I don't think there's a rebuild option. Probably time to think "Progressive". Lots of threads about that on here.

I'll be bummed if mine start leaking. But others say you should plop on Progressives right away. Fortunately, you don't have to agonize over that.

[Heavy Armor]

I got lucky and an pricey set of Icon rear shocks that I'd bought for another bike (that I decided to sell) just happened to fit perfectly on my XII.

Icon has top notch customer service. I've dealt with them on a few different occasions, and they basically interview you and your bike to see what product will meet your needs. Very hands-on.

Rears from a 1st gen Triumph America/Speedmaster are a direct swap. Exact same length and mounting hole diameter.

[GrandpaDenny]

I got lucky and an pricey set of Icon rear shocks that I'd bought for another bike (that I decided to sell) just happened to fit perfectly on my XII.

Icon has top notch customer service. I've dealt with them on a few different occasions, and they basically interview you and your bike to see what product will meet your needs. Very hands-on.

Rears from a 1st gen Triumph America/Speedmaster are a direct swap. Exact same length and mounting hole diameter.

But are they the same weight capacity? The first generation Speedmaster was a much smaller bike (750cc). Let us know how they work out?

[SgtSlag]

A word of caution...

I bought Progressives, proper type/fit for my XII. I bought Normal Duty Springs for them, even though neither my wife, nor I, are small people. We ride 2-up, 99% of the time. We blew out one shock, two months after I installed them...

I ordered a new set of the same shocks, this time with the Heavy Duty Springs. That was around 10 years ago, and they are still functioning normally.

Don't deceive yourself about how things, "should work." Be pragmatic. Or put a burning match to your wallet, like I did. Cheers!

[Heavy Armor]

I got lucky and an pricey set of Icon rear shocks that I'd bought for another bike (that I decided to sell) just happened to fit perfectly on my XII.

Icon has top notch customer service. I've dealt with them on a few different occasions, and they basically interview you and your bike to see what product will meet your needs. Very hands-on.

Rears from a 1st gen Triumph America/Speedmaster are a direct swap. Exact same length and mounting hole diameter.

But are they the same weight capacity? The first generation Speedmaster was a much smaller bike (750cc). Let us know how they work out?

No, sorry, I phrased that poorly. I was just saying that they're the same physical dimensions. I was able to use the ones I bought on the Voyager because I had purchased heavy duty springs for a sidecar conversion with the Triumph that didn't work out. Stock Speedmaster springs would definitely not be up to handling the XII, they don't even work well for the Speedmaster. Sorry for the confusion.

[triton28]

Be careful when choosing other than stock or Progressive shocks for the rear of a Voyager XII as I seem to recall that there is an offset between the bottom and top mounts. This offset appears to exist on both sides, at least on my bike for sure.
The upper mount of the shocks I have is on the center line of the shock but the bottom is offset. I do not have the original Progressive Suspension Co. Ltd. installation literature but the Progressive suspension units I have , 4221 I believe, have this offset.
I thought this strange so I ran a straight edge up from the empty lower mount and sure enough on my bike there was an offset of about 3/16" or so. Further examination would zero this figure in but at present I don't have a rear sub frame area naked right now.
I'm sure that somewhere someone has probably installed this offset on the wrong side and the shocks would be performing less than adequately not being mounted vertically true and plumb, and would probably wear out considerably sooner than if installed correctly.
Then again I may be incorrect in my premise about this offset, but I checked both sides of the bike frame mounts with the straight edge and the in situ offset was indeed equal to the manufactured offset of the suspension units.
Can someone who may still have the Progressive installation instructions, or a memory of them, chime in here and straighten this out so to speak.
Dave

[leghorn1956]

Thanks folks for your input. New HD progressives from Amazon.com being delivered to Niagara falls. NY on the 19th. I could of had them shipped from amazon.ca to my home for $40 more with the exchange, but I would have to wait almost three extra weeks. Tuesday I drive 50 miles and cross the boarder, fill up , have a bite to eat and back home. That's it.

[triton28]

Leghorn 1956;
PM sent.

[leghorn1956]

New progressives on and all looks good. The original shocks were slanted in towards the wheel with no offset. I'm looking forward to trying them out. There won't be anymore checking the pressure before a ride. As always thanks for all your insight. JP

[GrandpaDenny]

I think you'll like them.

[leghorn1956]

Had a few rides and no complaints. I have the shocks at the lowest setting. My wife checked the measurement of the shock while I was sitting on it .As recommended. I'm 200 lbs and all is good. Any idea how many notches I should go up for an other 200 lbs.
Thanks for all the help.

[GrandpaDenny]

IIRC the rated capacity of the VXII is 465lbs. Depending upon the roads, how spirited you ride, and what you want the ride to feel like, you may want a higher or lower setting. For me, riding usually 1 up, 300lbs in gear, lousy roads, chasing a Concours 14 through the mountains, I usually had mine set to 4.

[4redjf]

Thanks folks for your input. New HD progressives from Amazon.com being delivered to Niagara falls. NY on the 19th. I could of had them shipped from amazon.ca to my home for $40 more with the exchange, but I would have to wait almost three extra weeks. Tuesday I drive 50 miles and cross the boarder, fill up , have a bite to eat and back home. That's it.

for future reference i may be putting new shocks on my 1996 voyager. it would be nice to get away from the air pressure factory ones. How did you know which progressives models to get on Amazon? I see many different ones, 412, 444.... and so on. Which ones did you get? Sounds like they worked very well.
Thanks

[SgtSlag]

Thanks folks for your input. New HD progressives from Amazon.com being delivered to Niagara falls. NY on the 19th. I could of had them shipped from amazon.ca to my home for $40 more with the exchange, but I would have to wait almost three extra weeks. Tuesday I drive 50 miles and cross the boarder, fill up , have a bite to eat and back home. That's it.

for future reference i may be putting new shocks on my 1996 voyager. it would be nice to get away from the air pressure factory ones. How did you know which progressives models to get on Amazon? I see many different ones, 412, 444.... and so on. Which ones did you get? Sounds like they worked very well.
Thanks

If you visit the Progressive Suspension website, click on the Search your ride, button. Here is the link for 1996 Kawasaki Voyager ZG1200 parts. Progressive 412 series, for Springs and Shocks.

If you ride two-up, frequently, I highly recommend the Heavy-Duty Springs. Wife and I ride two-up, 98% of the time. I went with Standard Springs: blew out one shock, within one month; ordered a new pair of shocks, with Heavy-Duty Springs, and they've been working now since 2012(?), without issue. We have toured, with full bags, trunk, and a cooler on the trailer hitch shelf. We've had a few bottom-out's, but not too many. Bottoming out will happen, if you hit the right pothole, or other obstacle in the road.

Get Progressive Fork Springs, as well, or the suspension will really be dicey, inept, and dangerous, to be honest. Replacing both will balance the suspension system, front to rear. Do NOT use the spacers within the fork tubes, with the new Progressive Springs -- they will make the Springs excessively stiff -- and dangerous...

All of their springs are progressively wound, making them dual rate. This is a major upgrade, all by itself. By the by, no air needed with Progressive Fork Springs. You can use a little air, if you prefer, but I do not. No muss, no fuss, no special air pressure pump and gauge needed.

You can save money by using Dexron ATF in your forks: equal to 8 Wt. Fork Oil (not too soft, not too hard, just right, per the Goldilocks story), same properties, identical functionality to Fork Oil. Dexron ATF maintains its viscosity over the whole of its operating temperature range; highly detergent; inexpensive; available freakin' everywhere; full synthetic will last twice as long -- 2-4 years between changes. Otherwise, choose the Fork Oil and Wt. that suits your riding style the best. Cheers!

[4redjf]

Thanks folks for your input. New HD progressives from Amazon.com being delivered to Niagara falls. NY on the 19th. I could of had them shipped from amazon.ca to my home for $40 more with the exchange, but I would have to wait almost three extra weeks. Tuesday I drive 50 miles and cross the boarder, fill up , have a bite to eat and back home. That's it.

for future reference i may be putting new shocks on my 1996 voyager. it would be nice to get away from the air pressure factory ones. How did you know which progressives models to get on Amazon? I see many different ones, 412, 444.... and so on. Which ones did you get? Sounds like they worked very well.
Thanks

If you visit the Progressive Suspension website, click on the Search your ride, button. Here is the link for 1996 Kawasaki Voyager ZG1200 parts. Progressive 412 series, for Springs and Shocks.

If you ride two-up, frequently, I highly recommend the Heavy-Duty Springs. Wife and I ride two-up, 98% of the time. I went with Standard Springs: blew out one shock, within one month; ordered a new pair of shocks, with Heavy-Duty Springs, and they've been working now since 2012(?), without issue. We have toured, with full bags, trunk, and a cooler on the trailer hitch shelf. We've had a few bottom-out's, but not too many. Bottoming out will happen, if you hit the right pothole, or other obstacle in the road.

Get Progressive Fork Springs, as well, or the suspension will really be dicey, inept, and dangerous, to be honest. Replacing both will balance the suspension system, front to rear. Do NOT use the spacers within the fork tubes, with the new Progressive Springs -- they will make the Springs excessively stiff -- and dangerous...

All of their springs are progressively wound, making them dual rate. This is a major upgrade, all by itself. By the by, no air needed with Progressive Fork Springs. You can use a little air, if you prefer, but I do not. No muss, no fuss, no special air pressure pump and gauge needed.

You can save money by using Dexron ATF in your forks: equal to 8 Wt. Fork Oil (not too soft, not too hard, just right, per the Goldilocks story), same properties, identical functionality to Fork Oil. Dexron ATF maintains its viscosity over the whole of its operating temperature range; highly detergent; inexpensive; available freakin' everywhere; full synthetic will last twice as long -- 2-4 years between changes. Otherwise, choose the Fork Oil and Wt. that suits your riding style the best. Cheers!

Appreciate the info again.. The PO supposely rebuilt the front shocks, they seem good and no leaks..
I will research this to see what shocks will work and save it for later on. Thanks