Rear Shock Absorber

Hola a todos.

Right. After having made rather drastic confessions as to probably having to sell my VFR, things are heading back around towards normality. That is I'm fairly certain I can keep her. So, in order to keep up the momentum...

I could use a new rear shock absorber and would appreciate your input (your = all of you). Firstly, shoud it be a newy or should I get this one serviced (something they probably don't do around here.) If the former holds, then I think some data gathering would be on the cards in order to make the best informed decision.

Please provide the following info:

1. Your Model VFR
2. Your height and weight. (Don't be shy now)
3. Your typical riding style. (Agressive / Passive / Other)
4. Your preferred adjustment. [Stiffer / Softer / etc.]
5. The brand /model you have installed.
6. Satisfaction rating 1 - 5 (Unsatisfied - Satisfied). Recommended?
7. Price you paid
8. Features you like or wish you had.
9. Do you carry pillions or luggage often?
10. Ease of installation (if DIY).
11. Anything else you care to mention. (Like a good deal you've seen recently).

Much appreciated. cool.gif

Let's see if we get some good input.

Have I been vetoed or something?

Dude, Can you give us a minute,... we're busy over here trying to get a seat off.

Hombre, you still at it with the seat business? If I were you, rather than tryin' to get the seat off, I'd put more energy into gettin' your rocks off!! COme on guys, I thought you were all snowed in and this might give you all somethin' to do!! Avoid cabin fever, give my Spanish inquisition a go!!!

It is really up to you.
You can get yours rebuilt, but it will only preform as good as the stock one did. $?????
You can get yours rebuilt and revalved & sprung per your weight, will preform much better than stock. (recomended to do the forks as well) $??????
You can go aftermarket, more oem replacement (hagen, and other brands lower end shock), with about the same results as above. About $4-500
You can go full aftermarket, fully adjustable yada yada yada. This offers the best results, but most cost, around $1k.

Anything other than a stock rebuild, you will atleast need to revalve your forks to balance out the ride.

Hope this helps a touch.

oh come on man!!
you live in spain!!

ride up to england and visit the queen mum... and stop by hyperpro and have fit you one...
the dogs ballocks you'll be then mate!!

Auspa�ol, Jan 27 2007, 05:17 PMHola a todos.

Right. After having made rather drastic confessions as to probably having to sell my VFR, things are heading back around towards normality. That is I'm fairly certain I can keep her. So, in order to keep up the momentum...

I could use a new rear shock absorber and would appreciate your input (your = all of you). Firstly, shoud it be a newy or should I get this one serviced (something they probably don't do around here.) If the former holds, then I think some data gathering would be on the cards in order to make the best informed decision.

Please provide the following info:

1. Your Model VFR
2. Your height and weight. (Don't be shy now)
3. Your typical riding style. (Agressive / Passive / Other)
4. Your preferred adjustment. [Stiffer / Softer / etc.]
5. The brand /model you have installed.
6. Satisfaction rating 1 - 5 (Unsatisfied - Satisfied). Recommended?
7. Price you paid
8. Features you like or wish you had.
9. Do you carry pillions or luggage often?
10. Ease of installation (if DIY).
11. Anything else you care to mention. (Like a good deal you've seen recently).

Much appreciated. cool.gif

Let's see if we get some good input.

OK, lets give you an answer.

1. 1999 VFR
2. 6ft, 90kg
3. Fairly fast, no chicken strips!
4. stiff
5. Ohlins, 46HRCS
6. very satisfied
7. about 450GBP (special offer at bike show from Deamon Tweaks UK)
8. love the remote preload adjuster.
9. Pillion often, luggage occasionaly.
10. straight forward, had the be carefull on remote preload and reservoir cable/pipe routing. I didn't remove headers, but I believe that some people do. I had the swing arm off at the same time, and changed the chain and sprocket as well.
11. I also put Ohlins front springs in at the same time.

I can now feel what the back end is doing a lot more now than with the original shock.

Hope this helps

OK ! OK! OK!


1) 93 vfr 750

2) 6 flat ,210 lbs
3)faster than most..(190 rear with a 5mm chicken strip each side)
4)stiff
5)fox twin clicker
6) love it!
7)20 usd from a salvage yard..rebuilt my self .
8) has everything i want...
9) hot babe on back as much as possable!
10) i am a cycle tech...so its ALL easy...
11) on ebay.. cbr900 fox twin clicker 325 usd...

��Ol�!! This is more like it!!

Nuts and Hatzyian cheers to you both for breaking the ice. Maybe I should have anwered it first myself to get the ball rolling!! goofy.gif Actually Nuts, (you don't mind me calling you Nuts do ya?), I'm no stranger to poking around wrecking yards, at least I wasn't back in Oz, but over here, in this part of Spain at least, there ain't much in the way of bike parts. Mostly car parts. The Queen mum (is she still alive?) can bloody well get on her bike and visit me, number of times I was forced to sing God Save the Queen over the course of my life I reckon she owes me one.

Keep 'em comin' guys and gals, keep 'em comin'.

My reply:

1. 1998 VFR800 (5th gen)
2. 6'4" 90 kgs (200 pounds?)
3. As defined by "Sports-Tourer" not reckless but like the odd blast. (My suspension just doesn't let me enjoy it right now!!)
4. Medium to Stiffish
5. Stockers (after 35,000 miles, and if the suspension's never been serviced, then it's well and truly time. I've done the last 3,000 miles and don't know the previous owner so no idea of maintenance but judging by feel, I'd say sweet F.A.).
6. Hate it.
7. Came with the bike (hahahaha)
8. Has none (that you could notice that is), want them all: remote reservoir and remote preload adjuster. At least the preloader.
9. Not often but want the adjustability as my main pillion passenger has a beautiful butt I would hate to deform.
10. That is an issue (I spoke with Wilbers and they are willing to provide the rear shock with the tubes facing whichever way I specify (I asked if they can do them heading left to avoid breaking the seals or joints for mounting remote units on the left to avoid the exhaust pipe's heat, as apparently they come leading right as stock).
11. I guess I'll have to fill this in again once I've made up my mind and bought and installed new suspension!!!
fing02.gif

Auspa�ol, Jan 30 2007, 10:48 PM10. That is an issue (I spoke with Wilbers and they are willing to provide the rear shock with the tubes facing whichever way I specify (I asked if they can do them heading left to avoid breaking the seals or joints for mounting remote units on the left to avoid the exhaust pipe's heat, as apparently they come leading right as stock).

Wilbers come heading left when you look at it facing the banjo (face the music eh? fing02.gif )
You need to figure out if you want the banjo bolt to face to the rear or the front of the bike

[image: HPIM3487.jpg]

Thanks for the correction mate. No competitive spirit in it but I guess it's in the eye of the beholder, I was actually refering to the banjo bolt facing forward, in which case the hose heads out to the right (of the bike that is)!! I think I just turned up the volume!!! fing02.gif

Oy yeah, BTW, I think I'd rather be the bee's knees than the dog's bollocks, or the duck's nuts for that matter!! goofy.gif

I guess you rather be a Pommy instead of a Tommie eh?

tongue.gif

Em, Neither!!! (Tommy = Tommy Hilfiger??) Amazing what you can do with two nicks and poetic licence, then I could say that you'r the Dutch Nutz!! Hahahaha. Don't stop!!

Nein!! die Tommies!!!!!
It iz a nickname ze Zjermans had f�r Englishmen ja?
In Scotland we called them by many different names though... fing02.gif
Wots inna name eh? Them Jocks called me "Cloggie Bastage" tongue.gif

I have a 99, had the rear shock rebuilt at 40k km. and had a 3mm shim installed. It was ok.

Then 20k later it felt "flat" again, so I had some pennies together and bought an Ohlins 46 HRCS. $800USD odd.

Fitted it myslef, kept the shim, and it is fantastic, once the sags are right. if did show up how "soft" my front end was, even with racetech 0.95 springs and 10wt oil. So I made a change smile.gif

But to answer the questions:
1. 1999 VFR781 SP2
2. 177cm, and 81kg nude.
3. Tootling along, no chickens, "its a tour not a race...." smile.gif
4. err, stiff I guess
5. Ohlins 46HRCS
6. 5 out of 5. Recommended? Definately.
7. $800USD from Dan Kyle.
8. Like the remote preload, as I often carry heaps of junk.
9. Pillions once a year, luggage every day.
10. Easy peasy
11. If you dont do something with the forks, you will notice how bouncy and weak they are, especially at 100mph +. You dont necessarily have to go the frankenviffer route though smile.gif

Guys and gals remember this guy is probably descended from some riff raff we shipped out of the UK a couple of centuries back, and is probably trying to make his way back - close the damn tunnel in case he tries to get in that way, and beef up security at the ports of entry. Imagine a flood of Aussies having a walkabout around good old England!!! Nothing but cork dangling, hat wearing ,guys in shorts trying to shove their shrimp on yer barbie - god forbid. Thankfully I'm safe here in the good ol US of A. wheel.gif beer.gif beer.gif beer.gif

I gotta say i just love the international flavor here rolleyes.gif

Ay ay ay, our innocent pommie beta models seem to suffer from amnesia as they have obviously forgotten that we are greatly improved versions due to evolution and Darwin's theory (survival of the fittest). They are afterall our forefathers and as such are the origin of our riffraffery. unsure.gif It backfires on them every time!!! Still, England is already awash with Ozzies, I was there and "avoided them like the plague they are!!" Came to Spain to get away!!! There's just too much weather!! and it's shite weather at that!! No offense meant by the way fing02.gif All in playful sibling rivalry!!

A shrimp on the barbie beats a kipper in the bollocks!!

Getting back on topic another good question is, and this goes more for those of you with 98 or 99 modelsas I imagine the shape of things under there would change for other models, which way did you end up having the banjo bolt facing? Forwards or backwards? This would obviousyl, for reasons mentioned earleir, affect my specifications when ordering with Wilbers.

Auspa�ol,

Ask Wilbers how long (no that is not Howie Long biggrin.gif ) the hose is.
(my bike is at my brother's so I cannot pop out for a quick measure; but let me pour a measure first...)

Right, back again.

With the measurement, get any bit of hose (not the panty variety...) so you can work out at the bike where/how you will/can fit the remote. This should help you in deciding.
The hose is flexible, up to a point.
Look at this image, I wouldn't bent (he he again?) it much more...

[image: HPIM3523.jpg]

With the measurement, get any bit of hose (not the panty variety...) so you can work out at the bike where/how you will/can fit the remote. This should help you in deciding.
The hose is flexible, up to a point.
Look at this image, I wouldn't bent (he he again?) it much more...

Sweet!! But doesn't that get in the way of the passenger's foot? If you double up that is. And is that the remote preloader fitted into that neat little notch? I don't recall having that notch. Now that assembly I like, but your high and low reservoir doesn't convince me. Now don't bend this question outta shape but, do you do wax? Just your chain's looking so clean and dry there mate...thought maybe you're into wax more than lube (jeesus blink.gif )

PS I wouldn't bend that hose any further either dude, that's a serious loop!! Can they do longer hoses?

That chain is brand new, got fitted 20 km ago.
I've got a Scotoiler that will take over when the wax is gone.

The remote will not stay there, I just fitted it there for the purpose of fitting. It got late at nite so I left it.
Over the weekend (got a day job as well), it will relocate to under the grab handle. I may be loopy, but that loop is too much I agree.

Dunno if they can do longer hoses, but if the price is right.....

With my Ooooohlins I have the banjo errrrr, dunno I better go and look. smile.gif

I've got my remote preload mounted on the rhs passenger peg, and the remove res. and compression under the seat. I'll take some piccy's tonight if you like - of the shock of course...

Fitting the shock is relatively easy, theres a how to in the Tech. section I sure. The hard bit is mounting the remotes - i undid the subframe bolts to get the hoses thru neatly.

I think fruitloops would be the operative word here. Wouldn't you agree Ab-Oz?? Some pickies (of the bike of course, nothing further crossed my mind), would be the emu stew.

This is the spirit I was lookin for when starting this thread. Some gettin' down on all fours, workin' in behind your bike, up to your greasy elbow into the hind-quarters there...no seriously, this kind of info is welcome!! And your muffler (muffler? did I say MUFFler??) is on the right as well, were you not concerned about heat transferal? Apparently temps would be lower but why not go all the way and send 'em out left? Apart from the cluttered space reasons postulated earlier. Surely where there's a will...

Under the seat would be nice, so long as you're not defeating the purpose of better access again.

Figured that chain looked clean!! I almost thought better than to say somethin thinkin, if it's new he'll take a stab at me on that one for sure!!! Touch�. Anyway, you can and have claimed temporary loopiness, but you have the antidote I see!!

Auspa�ol, Jan 31 2007, 02:13 PMA shrimp on the barbie beats a kipper in the bollocks!!

Depends on whose bollocks goofy.gif

Strangest encounter I ever had was while hitchhiking in Wales, got a ride from an Aborigine who was on walkabout heading to Ireland cos one of his ancestors was Irish - go figure, those Irish will do anything that moves wink.gif . Nice bloke - funny looking tho - looked strange in a green hat blink.gif

All in the spirit of international relations - spread the love fing02.gif

Rich

All in the spirit of international relations - spread the love fing02.gif

Rich

hey...
i am half danish..half isreali..
who knew danish and lox are better than begals and lox?? tongue.gif

gives me a great pick up line.."want a peice of danish???"

If you look at one of the pics in my photo gallery, you will see where the Ohlins preload adjuster fits.

A bit of info from the colonies at ---> Promecha

I recently emailed them for info to improve my stock set up - their reply

Your VFR rear spring is too soft for you, max.rider weight 85kg solo. The std, shock
setup is both too soft damping & a very harsh feel. The forks also have way too soft
springs & very little feel & adj. range. The range of components that can be used in your
bike is listed below.


Front Forks:

Fork revalve service & set-up and spring $435.00
this will correct a lot of the standard problems & greatly improve feel & stability.

K-Tech Road Sports Conversion
20SSK Compression valve & std rebound mod incl dive control & spring $685.00
You get all the benefits of the much better compression valve and we modify and revalve
your rebound to suit the spring. More suited to the road but still gives you good feel on
the racetrack.

K-Tech Sports/Rideday Performance Conversion
20SSK Compression & rebound valves service & set-up & spring $916.00
This conversion will give you the best range for road & track use. So if you use the bike
mostly on the road and do several ride days per year you can use your adjusters to firm
it up for excellent Race track performance.

Race Bike Conversion
20SSRK Racebike service & set-up & spring $967.00
To take advantage of modern compounded sports tyres or slicks, this kit has the latest
technology in valve design and shimstack configuration to give outstanding brake and
turn-in control without harshness and provides excellent adjustability for any
track/weather situation. Can be modified for roadwork.

25mm Ultimate Race Cartridge $2240.00
K-Tech 25SSK is the ULTIMATE all aluminium Racing Fork Internals, using aerospace
specification materials and manufacturing techniques, developed to a World Championship
winning level of performance.

The improved 25SSK kit has been developed with input from Rocket Rod Haslam and other
world class riders. It isthe resuslt of four years of evolution and the 2006 version is
available now. Developments include a new material specification for the damper rod and
cartridge tube, new rebound piston design, revised setttings for compression, rebound and
mid-speed damping. It is used by many riders in all of the british National racing
classes including supersport stars Stuart Easton, Pere Riba and Tom Sykes.

Here in Australia, Castrol Honda rider Adam Fergusson using the 25SSK Race Cartridge
internals supplied by ProMechA, won seven races in the Superbike and five wins in the
Supersport classes to be the 2004 Australian Superbike and Supersport Champion. Josh
Brookes also using the 25SSK has now claimed the 2005 title in both classes from Adam

Rear Shock:

Revalve service & set-up & spring $380.00
Will give greater damping range & remove harshness & improve control using the original
valve.

46 PMA Sports Ride Day Piston, Revalve & service incl spring $545
We can tailor our piston port size to suit any setup,or feel you nominate. The best
change you can make to your std. shock.

We also supply Ohlins, WP, Wilbers, Nitron, which will suit a very large range of
motorcycles P.O.A.


If you have any further questions, please email or call 03 9574 1164

Regards
Peter
Promecha

Oh, if only I could purchase my new suspension items at Aussie prices, paying with the Euros I earn!! I could get the best for almost half the price!! (It's just so far away, like half the planet to be exact, that postage ends up defeating the purpose sad.gif Need to make friends in the shipping business!!

Sweet, neat and tidy installation of the remote adjuster there Hatzyian, garage will eventually follow suit if you work up the momentum!! I was in Cyprus last September. A close friend of mine is running a tuna farm there and invited us over, always helps to have inside information, you get the most out of a place when you're on limited time. Amazing place, loved it. Slightly hotter than here in Spain (although I had a fever from the flu which didn't help, put away five litres of water a day only to sweat it all out!!) Went all the way up to the tip of the "pan-handle" in a rent-a-cage. The turtles had just hatched. That island has a little of everything: Sand dunes, turquoise waters, forested mountains (high enough for oak trees and snow), and with two different cultures (despite the "troubles" which on a street level you don't really notice nowadays) you get a great variety of food, and ways of life, two languages, it's a curious place. The north hardly has any tourist devlopment so you can get away from the bussle.



Anyway, cheeers again for keepin' the inputs coming!!

An Irish-Australian Aboriginal?? What next?? Bet he could play the bagpipes a real treat, if he knows how to play the didge, what with the circular breathing and all...tryin' to get my head around an Aussie-Aboriginal saying "How's the crack??" or "Go hang your bollocks on it" If you're familiar with the accent...hahahaha

Now why'd you have to go and say that Nutz?? I used to love eating Danishes, now I'll never eat one again!!

WWWHHHHHAAATTT!!!
hey! only 3 people gave you the reply you ask for????
3!?????!!!
TTTTHHHHRRRREEEEEEE?????
out of all the people on the site!? pissed.gif
that sucks!!! sad.gif

Probably already said their piece on another similar thread somewhere. :S I still haven't decided what to go for... Wilbers or Ohlins.