New shocks on Ebay (Germany)

[cobol74]

saw these on german ebay

under $200 USD shipped to USA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stosdampfer-einstellbar-320-mm-Yamaha-XZ-550-11U-1982-1984/361585409208?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D670b96c07238475e984a2691c8bbda85%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D8%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D291787122958

[vl5150]

I took the bait and ordered one of these just now.  Thanks for posting.  I'll report back on how these work.

I know for me the 1982 stock shock is under-dampened by a longshot and the 1983 shock is still under-dampened, but not as bad as the '82.

[Rikugun]

Well it certainly looks pretty. I'll be looking forward to your report.

[George R. Young]

And you get two? In case you have a couple of Visions?

[fret not]

I hope you asked some questions and got reasonable answers before committing to the purchase.  Pardon my cynicism but I have trust issues with eBay ads in English, and I don't read or understand German.  I really hope you are a winner in this. ;)

[pinholenz]

They sure do look good!

Shocks are quite a mystery to me.  I have an XZ400 parts bike. Did the XZ400 have a better shock than the 82  Vision or was it still under-dampened?. (I have an 82)

[Rikugun]

POD might be able to shed some light on that one.

[The Prophet of Doom]

POD might be able to shed some light on that one.

Indeed...


The XZ400s I have seen have the same shock as the 16R XZ550 which I thnink is the same as US82 - some are welded some have a snap cap.  the snap cap ones are certainly disassemblable, and probably rebuildable if you fit a Nitrogen valve and can find the right seals. 


The XZ400D has a better slightly heavier shock with a I,II,III damping adjustment, but a different mechanism than I've seen on 83s




I thought my original xz550 was as good or better than any of the many other bikes I rode at the time. In retrospect it seems pretty crap, and if it's leaking, then truly awful.


I'd say almost any modern shock would be better

[vl5150]

I forgot to update this thread.

This ebay auction is a mistake.  I got 2 small shocks that cross referenced to a KZ650 or something like that.  The guy in Germany gave me a refund.  I brought the shocks to my local bike shop to see if he could use them.

[pinholenz]

Blimey... Thanks for the update.
There are several other suppliers of replacement XZ550 shocks on eBay, notably Brooks Barn in the UK. Has anyone tried these?