K11 Owners Group

OldJerry · Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 21 Location: West Michigan

I just tried something and it DIDN'T seem to work ..... maybe someone has run into this before. I am planing to lower my 97 K1100-LT about 1" to 1.5", so I saw this add for a Works Performance shock that was removed from a K100. Checked on the "hole to hole" distance for mounting and it was about 1.5" shorter. Just what I needs .. I think. Put the shock on my bike ... it lowered the rear a little more than 1.5". Went for a ride .... seating position was fine, BUT I seemed to have NO rear shock dampening. The shock seems pretty stiff ( on the weakest preload setting) and the rear end seems to "BOB" up and down like there is absolutely no dampening. I called WORKS and they said simply that the K100 shock won't work on a K1100. I think that there is also the possibility that the fluid has leaked out and the dampening (and the shock) is bad. Has anyone ever put a K100 shock on a K1100 and had any success ? I guess there is a better way to lower a K1100. I just hate to spend $700 for a short Works shock..... if anyone has a SHORT works shock designed for a K1100 that they want to sell .... let me know.
Jerry
_________________
1997 K1100-LT
Special Edition

ssray2 · Joined: 07 May 2010 Posts: 19 Location: Birmingham, uk

Have a look here.
http://www.k-bikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21853

Ray

abreeze · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 6:28 pm Post subject:

i put a k1100 shock on a k100 to raise the rear end an inch and a half....

it should work the opposite, however the k100 stock shock is a piece of crap. too soft and fades easly..

try a good quality one....

miKeinWIs · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2010 7:22 pm Post subject:

Hi Old Jerry,
I have a Works shock--took a while to tune it. May not be optimum yet. Do you have an instruction sheet? SHort shocks should have 3/4"-1" sag when you sit on it.
Do you have the remote hydrogen cannister on the Works Shock?
How about the 4 position lever?
Just trying to figure out what you have. Mine works (?) Ok, pretty much, though I could use some other's experiences to make it possibly better.
It should work if adjusted well.
Let me know what's happening.

Mike
_________________
'97 K1100LT
Bought 6/30/09 w/26,750 miles

RJTrucker · Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 12:35 am Post subject:

I have been running a YSS K100 shock on my K11LT for almost 2 years now with no problems. I bet the works shock is either out of gas or low on oil or both. You can get the shock rebuilt but for a few dollars more you can get a new YSS.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

OldJerry · Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 21 Location: West Michigan

miKeinWIs .... when you said "you have a Works shock on your cycle" ... is it a shock designed for a K100 or a K1100? The point I was trying to make is that WORKS told me a K100 won't work on a K1100. That didn't make sense to me .... it may not work optimally, but it should work pretty well. A shock just absorbs bumps and dampens the travel. This shock sags about 3/4" when I sit on the bike ..... the only problem is there seems to be no dampening .... I can't see any dampening adjustment. I think it is out of fluid or nitrogen. It does have the small canister. Also it drops the rear of the cycle between 1.5" and 2" which may be a bit too much. I forgot to ask WORKS how much a rebuild would cost. I checked out the link on the above post and that shock from the UK sounds pretty tempting. I guess progressive (465) is another option. probably about the same price as a WORKS rebuild.

Thanks .. everyone
_________________
1997 K1100-LT
Special Edition

Beachcomber · Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 4:44 am Post subject:

Assuming you are going for an aftermarket shocker - the difference between OEM K100 / K1100 is irrelevant.

Physically you can switch the shock body length either way.

The is 30mm difference between K100 and K1100 eye to eye, which gives about 25mm difference in ride height.

OJ - the symptoms you describe are spring way too hard and / or dampening is shot.

I have a 350 RAM shocker on my k1100RS which lowers the seat height around an 1" - great for my short legs !

It's far more likely that the unit you have bought is not suitable - not the concept.

Bear in mind in all this - if you fit a shorter shocker, you will alter the steering angle slightly - if you are lowering then you will need to raise the fork tubes [ approx 5mm] in the triple trees to restore OEM steering geometry.
_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

Beachcomber · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 4:18 am Post subject:

OJ,

I have responded to your PM

TJ
_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's