What To Do With A 34k Stock Suspension?

My 3rd gen has 34K on it and I know the front shocks need to refreshed since the seals are shot. I am used to dealing with cars and just buying a whole after market assembly so I am not sure how it works on bikes. I read a few threads about getting linear springs since progressive comes with the bike? If there isn't anything wrong with my springs I would rather just stick with them. What parts do I need to rebuild the fronts up to factory specs? Is there a kid I can get? Is it worth it to get something from another bike instead?

What about the rear? I saw some people have been using CBR shocks, but what are my other options for the back?

Thanks.

If you just want to ''refresh'' your forks, you could change the fork oil and seals. While you are in there examine your springs to see if they are worn out.

As for the rear, I have a recently serviced OEM rear shock from a 3rd gen I could sell you...

Salty42, Mar 2 2007, 10:23 AMIf you just want to ''refresh'' your forks, you could change the fork oil and seals. While you are in there examine your springs to see if they are worn out.

As for the rear, I have a recently serviced OEM rear shock from a 3rd gen I could sell you...

What are my options if I want to get new springs. What would be a good upgrade? I am 5'10" and 150lbs and I mostly do touring as well as ride the twisties when I can.

Cool thanks, I will let you know

The OEM rear shock is rebuildable? What does it cost to rebuild one and where can you get it done? How can you even tell if your rear is shot. Having to rebuild a suspension every 30K does seem a bit quick for me?

for the forks, there's a few bushings that wear out and of course oil change... you can also get Race Tech rebound valves, and put in compression valves from F3 forks...

the shock options seems to be CBR 929's, Wilbers, Penske, or Ohlins.. I think some companies like Hyperpro or such can make one up custom for you if you call them.

call these guys for answer on which spring to use for your wt/style riding and cost of rebuild:

http://www.aftershocks-suspension.com/pages/home.htm

I am pretty mechanical, but my shop manual has been MIA since I moved. Is there a write-up on here for rebuilding your forks and what bushings to replace? I am still looking for my service manual after I moved last May.

Cool, Ill give them a call when they are open in a few hours. If I decide to send the rear out to be rebuilt I will probably have it done soon so I am not missing much of the riding season.

I assume if you go aftermarket you will end up with a suspension that will last longer than just replacing the stock components?

I looked up some Penske's and I noticed an aftermarket rear will end up costing $600-800? I want to keep it cheap while still replacing what I need since I just bought a house this past summer. I noticed the CBR 929 shocks are reasonable, but they might not fit the 3rd gen bikes?

There is a local place that does lots of racing setups and I am going to go down there tomorrow and show him what I have. He was highly recommended by a guy at work who races. He will measure me and the bike up and adjust what ever the bike will let him adjust then go from there as far as what he thinks I should do.

Thanks guys!

if you have a 94, your's is a 4th gen...so w/ a modification to the top shock mount, the CBR shock will fit just fine. There are several write-ups out there on how to handle it.

And there's this ....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=120092247744

tough to beat that... Jamie took care of all the bracket stuff for ya already.

Salty42, Mar 2 2007, 11:48 AMAnd there's this ....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=120092247744

Hmnm, that might be the best deal you'll find. Check his website, he charges far more than the opening bid for the modification to the shock. Add in the cost of the shock, and you win.

Thanks for the tip.

How long are these rear CBR929 Shocks supposed to last? Plus you have to figure they are used as it is. I assume they are more adjustable than the stock shock?

So if I pick this shock up I can bring my bike to the shop and have them set me up with a matching front fork setup.

ok, just to clarify... Smokey, your bike is a 94? if so, that's 4th gen (look for the NACA ducts!) .. Jamie's (ebay) shock is setup for a 3rd gen.. anyone know for sure if the mounts are the same? I thought they were different, but I could be wrong.

Yeah my bike is a 94....

Stock, what suspension settings do I have that can be changed on the bike? I assume the forks have no adjustments?

ss_burns, Mar 2 2007, 01:57 PMok, just to clarify... Smokey, your bike is a 94? if so, that's 4th gen (look for the NACA ducts!) .. Jamie's (ebay) shock is setup for a 3rd gen.. anyone know for sure if the mounts are the same? I thought they were different, but I could be wrong.

You are correct. They are different. The part Jamie made was to make a new bottom mount, where Smokey would need the spacer added for the top mount.

SmokeyDP, Mar 2 2007, 02:00 PMYeah my bike is a 94....

Stock, what suspension settings do I have that can be changed on the bike? I assume the forks have no adjustments?

Forks are adjustable for preload only. The OEM shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping. The 929 shock adds compression damping.

You can get the stock one rebuilt with a new spring, oil, and seals, and it will perform as well as it did when it was new. You can also get a "gold valve" added from a place like Race Tech to get a little better action, but you don't gain any more adjustment.

You can go to Race Tech's web site, and they have a "thing" that shows you all that they offer for your particular bike. There is also a spring rate calculator there.

As far as aftermarket goes, Ohlins no longer makes a shock for us. You are left with Penske, Wilbers, Hyperpro, Teleflex, and possibly others. The four I listed make the shock custom for you, and most have a menu of options. So, you could start in the $4-500 range, and go up to $1200, depending on the options. Penske seems the most expensive for what you get. IMO, Roger has enough money, so I gave mine to the "little guy".

We hashed a lot of this stuff out recently, (HERE) and (HERE)and many of us went with Wilbers at the end of last year. I went for the full-boat one with almost all the options. I am still working on a better permanent installation, but after my test ride, I'm amazed at the difference. I can also vouch for excellent customer service. I had a problem finding a good spot to mount the remote reservoir, and I worked with Klaus from Wilbers via phone and email. He just sent me a nice bracket today, and I didn't even have to ask. He just said to let me know how it works, or if it needs any modification. That scored big points in my book!

there's at least preload ...

BTW, here's the download for the service manual... link

ss_burns, Mar 2 2007, 12:21 PMthere's at least preload ...

BTW, here's the download for the service manual... link

Just an FYI - I read that your bike is a 4th Gen, so this doesn't matter. But for 3rd gen (as your original post said...), I went with preload adjusters from a '92-'93 model, progressive springs, and 15 wt. oil. Much better feel, and the preload adjusters allow a decent amount of adjustment to compensate a bit for the increase in initial dampening harshness of the thicker oil.


After I bought the Progressive springs, I found out that Racetech makes a much better set - but am still pretty happy with the Progressives (especially since they were diiiiirty cheap).


Hopet his helps someone!



-Q!