KawasakiTrax Community
Tech Information => General Help => Topic started by: Vader on September 21, 2021, 11:57:24 AM
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The Kimpex 04-269 is discontinued, and the parts distributor now lists 04-269-01 for Invader 78-81. Previously, 04-269 was listed only for 78-80. (excluded Vari Ride) The closed and open lengths are longer for this shock vs 04-269, and the eyes are 29/32 on both ends. It looks to be the same as SPI SU-04282. Is it useable with the longer lengths? If so, how do I get a rubber bushing and spacer into the eye on one end?
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Okay, just had a look at a vari ride parts diagram and I see how the shock mounts now. I was confused because now I realize that the 81 parts sled I picked up had a ski shock in the suspension and one end had the rubber bushing.
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And this is the suspension from my "good" 81 Invader. The lower shock mount was moved forward on the slide rails, and the upper mount was heavily butchered, moving the upper mounting point. The limiter strap mounting point was also moved. I had assumed this was done to fit some random shock in there. The last pic is the shock that was in the parts sled vari ride.
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Are you going to try the SPI SU-04282?
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I guess so, seems to be the only game in town. I'll put the proper arm, install the shock in the original mounting locations, then install the suspension without springs and cycle it thru full motion to make sure the shock doesn't run out of travel.
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How much longer is it?
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I'm not sure, since I now know that the 2 vari rides I have don't have the original shocks so I have no reference.
One had a Kawi xxxxx-3502 ski shock and I discovered the other one that was butchered-in is a Yamaha part.
Also discovered that the SPI SU-04282 is a gas shock and the Kimpex 04-269-01 is hydraulic but they're both supposed to fit. Just have to decide whether to spend $150 or $65.
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I ran the 04-269 gas shock on my 79 Invader for a few years, it was a noticeable improvement over the hydraulic shock. IMO it was worth the extra $$$.
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Ok, based on your testimony I guess I'll pry the wallet open a little wider and get the SPI.
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Okay, so I got the SPI shock. It will be well past the returns window by the time I know if it fits, so I'll have to make it fit one way or another. I can see already that I will have to make some different bushings for the big end to mount on the shaft.
Does anyone know what shocks will fit on the skis?
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Can you rob the bushings out of the old shock?
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They're available to use, but the shock eye is a bit smaller ID than the old one, I think it's a metric size. As well, the sled came with a Yamaha shock wrangled in there, so I'm not even sure the bushings on there are the original ones. I'll have to whip something up.
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Any update on the SPI shock? Were you able to make it work?
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I'm not at that point in the project yet. Still have to clean up & paint all the suspension bits and reassemble.