KawasakiTrax Community
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mswyka on March 13, 2019, 02:46:00 PM
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Does anyone know off hand the part number for available suspension shocks for the 81 Invader vari-ride?
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45014-3506
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45014-3506
Is that Kawasaki or after market?
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Kawasaki
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Does anyone have an after market part number? I am seeing the 81 listed as the same as the 80. Is that possible?
I don't have a Kawasaki parts reference, but when I look at the two shocks they do look different.
Any thoughts/guidance is appreciated.
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They are the same.
The best option is the Kimpex gas shock, 04-269. Also works on either suspension.
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I had been meaning to post this for awhile. I installed the Kimpex gas shock on my '79 Invader. Bought it from mfgsupply.com. $71.99
There was nothing wrong with my original shock, I just wanted to try it.
The original has no pressurized gas, just hydraulic oil.
I used an extremely scientific method to compare the 2 shocks....my bathroom scales! ::)
The original took about 15 lbs. of pressure to start compressing the rod. The gas shock took a whopping 90 lbs. to start compressing! Since it has high pressure Nitrogen inside the shock rod will slowly extend on it's own after you have compressed it.
This definitely adds to the spring rate! You can see in the one picture the adjustment on the gas shock allows less compression of the spring compared to the stock shock with the cam adjuster in the softest setting in the picture.
The 2 adjustment rings on the gas shock aren't as easy to adjust as the clever little tool that you use on the stock shock to click to 4 different pre load settings.
The spanner wrench that came with my '97 SkiDoo works with a tiny bit of grinding.
Any guests reading this....DO NOT try to remove the spring from the shock without a spring compressor. You can see in the 1 pic how long the spring is with the pressure released....it has some serious pressure on it when compressed.
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They are the same.
The best option is the Kimpex gas shock, 04-269. Also works on either suspension.
Thank you
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I had been meaning to post this for awhile. I installed the Kimpex gas shock on my '79 Invader. Bought it from mfgsupply.com. $71.99
There was nothing wrong with my original shock, I just wanted to try it.
The original has no pressurized gas, just hydraulic oil.
I used an extremely scientific method to compare the 2 shocks....my bathroom scales! ::)
The original took about 15 lbs. of pressure to start compressing the rod. The gas shock took a whopping 90 lbs. to start compressing! Since it has high pressure Nitrogen inside the shock rod will slowly extend on it's own after you have compressed it.
This definitely adds to the spring rate! You can see in the one picture the adjustment on the gas shock allows less compression of the spring compared to the stock shock with the cam adjuster in the softest setting in the picture.
The 2 adjustment rings on the gas shock aren't as easy to adjust as the clever little tool that you use on the stock shock to click to 4 different pre load settings.
The spanner wrench that came with my '97 SkiDoo works with a tiny bit of grinding.
Any guests reading this....DO NOT try to remove the spring from the shock without a spring compressor. You can see in the 1 pic how long the spring is with the pressure released....it has some serious pressure on it when compressed.
What do you think of the ride quality of the new shock?
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They are the same.
The best option is the Kimpex gas shock, 04-269. Also works on either suspension.
Thank you
You’re welcome. I do feel like I should clarify... I believe a shock from a non VariRide will work on the VariRide, but not the other way around. The VariRide shocks didn’t come with the nubs attached to the shock body for the spring adjuster to ride on. While it doesn’t hurt to have it on a VariRide skid, if used on the old skid it would not work at all.
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We only had a couple snows here in Indiana that allowed getting the sleds out and riding for 2-3 days before it all melted.
This was mostly on County Roads and bean stubble fields....all pretty smooth stuff. The best test of the gas shock would be riding down some rough trails.
So, I wasn't able to say it is a huge improvement, although it might be, if tested in bumpier conditions.
It certainly looks like a high quality piece. The box says "Made in S. Korea".....which sounds a lot better to me than China or Mexico... :P
This shock bolted in place of the original with absolutely no modification or "fiddling" required.
This might be a good option for another reason.....if you are a heavier rider, or you often ride your Intruder/Invader 2-up, and you can't find the heavier, optional coil spring, the high gas pressure certainly increases the spring rate.
I only weigh about 175, so I left the spring pre-load near the full soft position.......gotta get up to your neck of the woods someday gixxer6 so I can put the Invader....and the Sidewinder....and the 9500 through a good test on the trails with my sons. 8)
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What I have on hand is the stock Invader/Intruder shock. Sizing it up for the 1981 Vari-Ride skid i see that the loop is wider than the shock I took off.
The shock that was on the sled was just about 0.9" wide and the new shock is right at 1.0" wide. At 1.0" wide, the new shock will not fit into the rear suspension bracket without bending the bracket mounting arms.