Stock Shock

I need to change my stock shock.

Would someone have some pics of the stock shock and/or could measure the various lengths ?

For instance, I would appreaciate if someone could measure the eye to eye distance.

www.daughertymotorsports.
com
Sure he has the answer. ....

sure, but I'm a bit reluctant to bother him since I'll buy a shock from a french company

Why do you need to Change your stock shock?

Is it not suitable for your purposes. What mileage gave you covered?

Have you considered talking to the replacement shock manufacturers?

Sorry about the questions but m interested In Your reasoning.

I did some research  a while ago regarding the interchangeability of different VFR generation shocks, basically to see if the good aftermarket shock I have could be used on different models, and the outcome was this table.

4th gen =322.5mm

5th gen =326.5mm

6th gen =317mm

7th gen =321.5mm

8th gen=315.5mm

The only one not verified properly was the 8th gen and the info was supplied by a user on this forum named House who is the only one AFAIK that has changed out his rear shock.

It appears that the 6th and 8gen shocks are the same length apart from 1.5mm which is negligible and could be measuring error.

If you have an aftermarket shock with ride height adjustment you could take care of minor differences, BUT ride height adjustment is only +ve ie lengthening.

This is the thread

http://www.vfrdiscus...ound-one/page-6

for fink,

my shock is almost new, ie only 2,500 miles on the clock.

I'm just not a  big fan of the hydraulics of the shock. It spring is a little weak for my weight (190 lbs) but no major issue on that side.

What bothers me more is that the compression damping is by far too harsh when the rebound damping is properly set. Currentlym I feel that the bike hops on bad pavement and this is really unpleaseant. I may also be linked to the recommanded tire pressure on the new bikes here in europe : 36 psi in front and 42 psi in the back.

would someone have pics of the lower/upper links of the stock shock

They are just 2 lugs with a 10mm hole through top and bottom same as every other 4th -8th gen VFR

I agree the compression damping is a little harsh but it is about the same as the Wilbers 641 that I have on my 4th gen, so I wouldn't bother to change it just yet, I dont mind it but others find it harsh.

I run 34 front 38 rear and it works well for me.

You can see the bottom shock mount under the bike above the cat converter the 2 triangular plates. If you take off the triangular plates you can measure the width yourself, but it will be the same as all the others.

for fink,
my shock is almost new, ie only 2,500 miles on the clock.
I'm just not a  big fan of the hydraulics of the shock. It spring is a little weak for my weight (190 lbs) but no major issue on that side.
What bothers me more is that the compression damping is by far too harsh when the rebound damping is properly set. Currentlym I feel that the bike hops on bad pavement and this is really unpleaseant. I may also be linked to the recommanded tire pressure on the new bikes here in europe : 36 psi in front and 42 psi in the back.would someone have pics of the lower/upper links of the stock shock

Blooming heck I'm 16 1/2 stone and find it fine. That is with the suspension adjusted to my weight. What you you mean 36/ 42 has been a standard pressure for longer the 25 years.

I'm just not a  big fan of the hydraulics of the shock. 

What bothers me more is that the compression damping is by far too harsh when the rebound damping is properly set. I feel that the bike hops on bad pavement and this is really unpleaseant.

I agree. On smooth pavement, no problem. But I can not get out of my neighborhood without a hundred or so thuds going over expansion strips.

I had the same problem on a previous bike solved with an Ohlins rear shock.

No issues currently with the front forks.

Blooming heck I'm 16 1/2 stone and find it fine. That is with the suspension adjusted to my weight. What you you mean 36/ 42 has been a standard pressure for longer the 25 years.

Seriously guys, you should really give up your rather strange imperial units : inch, foot, pounds, and no "stone" and switch to the metric system.

It would make everybodys' life muuuch simpler.

36/ 42 has been a standard pressure in europe for a few years only . I do think that this is for all motorcycles.. a euro-regulation.

I did some research  a while ago regarding the interchangeability of different VFR generation shocks, basically to see if the good aftermarket shock I have could be used on different models, and the outcome was this table.
4th gen =322.5mm

Actually the 4th gen is listed in specs as 324mm.

I did some research  a while ago regarding the interchangeability of different VFR generation shocks, basically to see if the good aftermarket shock I have could be used on different models, and the outcome was this table.
4th gen =322.5mm

Actually the 4th gen is listed in specs as 324mm.

Maybe, but the one I took out of my 4th gen was 322.5,(which is only 1.5mm. shorter) 

Anyway I now have the ride height adjustment on the wilbers set at max extension.

There seems to be some variation in shock lengths. A friend took an old one from a 6th gen and it was only 310mm, maybe something was jammed up in there??.

Yeah I was just being a stickler for accuracy, which my wife tells me isn't one of my best qualities.

I'm just not a  big fan of the hydraulics of the shock. 
What bothers me more is that the compression damping is by far too harsh when the rebound damping is properly set. I feel that the bike hops on bad pavement and this is really unpleaseant.

I agree. On smooth pavement, no problem. But I can not get out of my neighborhood without a hundred or so thuds going over expansion strips.
I had the same problem on a previous bike solved with an Ohlins rear shock.
 
No issues currently with the front forks.

sdouble, here is a vote for you to at least review Duccman's suggestion of Jamie Daugherty. You seem to be married to a particular manufacturer, and that is okay. You should though be aware of your options.

Jamie Daugherty has a modification for this exact problem. He will spring the shock for your weight and add higher-speed valving, which will allow fluid to move when you encounter those bumps, allowing the OEM shock to finally do its job. If I am adding correctly, his shock mod is $295, and people rave that it is more comfortable and the tire sticks to the ground. The negative is that you must send in your shock and there is some wait time. Of course, overseas shipping may be a cost/hassle issue.

If money is no object, the aftermarket shock is great. You will probably get a wider range and more precise adjustment, and faster response at track speeds.

If you do track you may want a racing shock for these reasons.

If you are primarily a street rider, Jamie's solution, from all of the feedback I hear, is very good.

Also, his fork spring & valve is about the same cost as the shock modification. So you can do both, and have a nicely tuned, responsive suspension, I am guessing (?) for the price of a single racing shock. (verify all costs)

End Rant.

I'm just not a  big fan of the hydraulics of the shock. 
What bothers me more is that the compression damping is by far too harsh when the rebound damping is properly set. I feel that the bike hops on bad pavement and this is really unpleaseant.

I agree. On smooth pavement, no problem. But I can not get out of my neighborhood without a hundred or so thuds going over expansion strips.
I had the same problem on a previous bike solved with an Ohlins rear shock.
 
No issues currently with the front forks.

sdouble, here is a vote for you to at least review Duccman's suggestion of Jamie Daugherty. You seem to be married to a particular manufacturer, and that is okay. You should though be aware of your options.

Jamie Daugherty has a modification for this exact problem. He will spring the shock for your weight and add higher-speed valving, which will allow fluid to move when you encounter those bumps, allowing the OEM shock to finally do its job. If I am adding correctly, his shock mod is $295, and people rave that it is more comfortable and the tire sticks to the ground. The negative is that you must send in your shock and there is some wait time. Of course, overseas shipping may be a cost/hassle issue.

If money is no object, the aftermarket shock is great. You will probably get a wider range and more precise adjustment, and faster response at track speeds.

If you do track you may want a racing shock for these reasons.

If you are primarily a street rider, Jamie's solution, from all of the feedback I hear, is very good.

Also, his fork spring & valve is about the same cost as the shock modification. So you can do both, and have a nicely tuned, responsive suspension, I am guessing (?) for the price of a single racing shock. (verify all costs)

End Rant.

Actually, this was my first move.

Main drawback was not money but time. I need my bike everyday. I can manage to get to work by car for one week, but that is rather painful.Traffic jams is Paris area are kind of daily nighmare when I get to the lab by car.

Sending the shock and fork to Jamie is both costly and time consumming , that's the only reason why I discarded that option.

Cheers

Julien

There is a wilbers 641 shock replacent for gen 8 listed on their website, with high and low speed compression adjustment (22 clicks) Rebound 22 clicks remote hydraulic preload if you want it and spring customised to your riding weight FWIW.

I love the 641 on my 4th gen bike.

There is a wilbers 641 shock replacent for gen 8 listed on their website, with high and low speed compression adjustment (22 clicks) Rebound 22 clicks remote hydraulic preload if you want it and spring customised to your riding weight FWIW.

I love the 641 on my 4th gen bike.

The shock I gonna buy in France is NOT that adjustable. I actually will lose the remote preload adjustability. I, by far, prefer a shock/fork properly tuned and adjusted to my needs that something with tons of knobs that I'll never touch.

I don't go to tracks and I barely drive with my wife...

Out of curiosity, which manufacturer is that? Do they really need you to provide the measurements for a common and current model?

If that's any help, Hyperpro list the exact same references for the RC46 Vtec/6th Gen and the RC79/8th Gen:

VFR 800 V-TEC (also ABS)    `02-13     HO08-0AA     HO08-1AC      OPTIONS: LA, HPA
VFR 800 F                               `14>        HO08-0AA     HO08-1AC      OPTIONS: LA, HPA

Source: http://hyperpro.com/...ckabsorbers.pdf

thanks a lot.. that helps...

The companys' name is "Shock factory" not far from Genoble, France.

That small business is ran by a Brittish guy, Mike Capron who does some great work on shocks.

He's used to the VFR but he never had to produce a shock for the very last gen . Therefore he asked me to send either the bike (best option for testing) or only the shock.