rear shock advice please fazer 600 2002

[andy352299]

this has probably been done to death but i have treid searching but cannot find the answer i am looking for
so here goes.
i was out on the bike today and some of the roads were fairly bumpy anyway the back end of the bike seemed to wallow and was not very inspiring. the spring is set on the highest preload but one. the front end feels fine.
I am not the fastest or best rider and weight about 12 stone
so i am considering a rear shock change   I am looking for a budget solution
i have seen mention of a 1000 fazer rear shock fitting a 600 but how hard is it and does it alter the ride height
also i have heard of an r6 shock on a 1000 fazer - so will an R6 shock fit a 600 fazer
or should i just accept that i cant ride for toffee
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
 
 

[FuZzBoM]

I have one of these on order http://www.calsport.co.uk/YAMAHA/7793-2003-FZS_600_Fazer_0003/129-Suspension__Handling/Hyperpro_Suspension__Steering_Dampers/145762
When i get it and have it fitted i will let you know if its any good.
I have just fitted their fork spring kit and the difference is epic.
The damper itself could be past its best in your case though and the spring might not help at all.

[kebab19]

There is no direct replacement Yamaha shock bar the Diversion 900 (allegedly).
The 1000 is a close fit but different spring rates & leverage ratio. Not sure if the remote reservoir would foul something.

The FZS600 shock is not rebuildable unless you go the schrader valve route. I believe one of the site members in Scotland can rebuild it using this method, but I don't have their details - may be somewhere on the old FOC-U site if you search there.

Failing that it's a new rear shock, either Hagon or Nitron @ the cheapest end of the market, & I'd plump for a basic Nitron unit.

[andy352299]

thanks Kebab
 
i was looking on the hagon site and there shock for the fazer has the same part number as the xj900 and xvs110 so maybe

[thom_1991]

Get a Nitron if you can. I'm sure the Hagon will be an improvement but i've never known anyone be dissapointed with a Nitron.i know even the basic one is a fair wedge of money but also the Nitron will have decent re-sale value if you sell the bike on. At just under 11 stone ifound the stock forks springs far too soft especially considering the power of those bluespots. Definitely worth putting in stronger fork springs imo.  Probably about .9 or .95 kg/mm rated linear springs if you're 12 stone.

[andy352299]

thanks for the info about the nitron, the only reason i was looking at the hagon site was to try and cross reference part numbers
 
kebab am i right in thinking you had a trx850, i think they weigh roughly the same i dont suppose you know any of the dimensions for that rear shock i know its a long shot but then again the trx850 rear caliper and bracket bolted straight on. 

[thom_1991]

IIRC when i looked at a trx shock the spring was about half that of the standard fzs600s shocks spring rating(14.7kg/mm) so it'd be serously under sprung. Annonyingly racetechs site lists spring rates front and back and what weight that spring is correct for, for pretty much every bike EXCEPT the fazer. I took my Nitron (it came from a vfr400...) in to be re-sprung for me and it came back with a 900lb/inch (16.11kg/mm) spring put on so we can assume 16.11 is right for an 11ish stone rider so you'll want a spring even stiffer than that.

[virtual bodysnatcher]

It's the damping that's really the problem - hence wallowy feeling as it can't control the soft spring, is poor at the best. Have just ordered a Nitron off WE Moto tho' was torn between it and the Hagon, had a Hagon on my zxr750 and it was fine so if you're not using it to "best advantage" I'd go with the Hagon, is a fair bit cheaper than the Nitron and will be a huge improvement over what you've got, rebuilding an OE one I wouldn't think is much of an option as I'm sure by the time you add replacement bits (which I don't expect are in the price....) and be without a shock for the time taken, wouldn't be a huge jump to a new one?


Main reasons I've gone Nitron was adjustable ride height and as I'm light a spring for me is a good idea, at 12 stone you've an advantage in that you're more average weight

[kebab19]

I know some people like Hagon, but I've had them on 2 of my bikes in the past & didn't rate them. The basic Nitron option is far better IMO & not that much more.

I did indeed have a TRX but the unit is longer - more like 325mm instead of 300. Different length dogbones might allow it to fit, but you'll be a pioneer here as I don't recall anyone trying it before. That's not to say it wont work....esp if you also fitted the TRX shock linkages

TRX unit also has a remote reservoir you'll have to attach somewhere - not impossible but bear it in mind.

[thom_1991]

It might be worth ringing round specialists asking about rebuilding your shock with the right spring for you. IIRC brook suspension in Bradfords had some good noises made about his oe rebuilds. New oil and a re-gas (that right?) and it'd feel a marked improvement after 10 years of the oil getting more and more like cappucino...

[kebab19]

Here you go, pilfered from the old site:

"Your rear shock can be reconditioned to a point.
Hans at Caledonian Engineering can do it for you
call him on 07917034544.
...don't do it yourself"


I assume this is the guy who can do the Schrader valve conversion, otherwise the standard shock is for the bin.

[andy352299]

thanks again everyone,
just a bit of info the max length the shock can be is 300mm.
with the bike on the centerstand i disconnected the bottom shock mount and let the back wheel rest on the ground the aluminium lump that the shock and the dog bones attach to  now moves slightly until it hits on the frame near the center stand. the bottom shock hole and the hole in the aluminium lump are now out of line by about 5mm.- in other words 300mm is about the max shock length without major surgery
god i hope that makes sense  one photo would have covered this so much easier
 

[kebab19]

How about a complete TRX850 rear-end conversion? Better (rebuildable) shock with preload, compression & rebound, swingarm looks much nicer, superior rear brake as good as FZS1000 & fazer wheel is identical to TRX rear so a straight fit. I have a swingarm out in the shed, could measure dimensions if it appeals to anyone?

Early Fazer1000 shock is 305mm long....wonder if it could be made to fit as plenty of owners are selling them as they are converting to R6 shocks.
Also I think the newest R6 shocks are 300mm....another option?

Both also rebuildable too, which would be a bonus over the standard 600 unit

[thom_1991]

What he said. Also the Nc30 Nitron shock i got was over 300mm needed a bit cutting off the frame centre stand type area, it really wasn' t too bad a job. Anything with a "piggyback" rather than remote reservoir is ikely to have clearance issues as i looked into a late R6 shock but as already said bear (bare?) in mind with the standard linkage you need a very stiff spring so most shocks from other bikes will be well undersprung.

[andy352299]

kebab
yes some measurements please
thom_1991
i agree with you about spring rates, i can only think that Yamaha had to fit such a strong spring as they got there calculations wrong with the linkage so needed a heavy spring to compensate. also the remote reservoir has got to be easier than a piggy back one 

[Fazbaz]

Here you go, pilfered from the old site:

"Your rear shock can be reconditioned to a point.
Hans at Caledonian Engineering can do it for you
call him on 07917034544.
...don't do it yourself"


I assume this is the guy who can do the Schrader valve conversion, otherwise the standard shock is for the bin.

Hans rebuilt my shock and it's a cracker.... Far better than any Hagon stuff etc. The downside is that he's moved and his phone number is incorrect ( he's also really busy and hasn't had time / bothered  to register on the new site) so you'll have trouble contacting him 
 
 But his shocks are good and they do carry a 5 year warranty !
 
 Baz 

[andy352299]

just found this info on the web and have sent an email. so we will see if its the same Guy
 
 
 

Caledonian Engineering[/t][/t] Address:[/t] 15 Glenartney Road Chryston Glasgow Scotland G69 9NS Contact:[/t] Mr Kruger Telephone:[/t] 0141 779 2335 Email:[/t] cal.engonmail.co.uk Category:[/t] suspension / wheel building County scope:[/t] scotland

[kebab19]

Andy,
TRX850 swingarm details:

spindle area 255mm wide
full length about 575mm
widest point of arm (just before chain adjusters) about 335mm from outer surface to outer surface.

Can post up images or more measurements if required.

If it'll fit the FZS & anyone wants my swingarm for an FZS conversion they can have it for the postage costs. The problem with it is that one of the chain adjuster bolts has snapped off in situ. A decent engineering shop should be able to extract it.
My swingarm has the rear wheel spindle, wheel adjuster blocks and chainguard. Can post a pic if anyone's interested.

[Fazbaz]

just found this info on the web and have sent an email. so we will see if its the same Guy
 
 
 

Caledonian Engineering[/t][/t] Address:[/t] 15 Glenartney Road Chryston Glasgow Scotland G69 9NS Contact:[/t] Mr Kruger Telephone:[/t] 0141 779 2335 Email:[/t] cal.engonmail.co.uk Category:[/t] suspension / wheel building County scope:[/t] scotland

As per my earlier posting... This is the same bloke BUT he's moved address and his contact numbers aren't the same

If you're keen to contact him send me a message and I'll pass on your contact details.

Baz 

[andy352299]

thanks Baz you have an email  this is going to be my prefered option at the moment however
Kebab could you take a couple more measurements please
can you measure the width of the swinging arm where it attaches to the frame and also the distance from the centre of the swinging arm pivot point to the centre of the wheel spindle slot to see how it will affect the wheelbase.
 
thanks in advance
 

[Fazbaz]

Andy, you've got a message with his details and also an email if that's easier.

Baz 

[bwizz]

The thou shock on my thou works much better than standard 600 unit   and   ride height is the same . just need to swap 600 spring to thou unit .
full details on old site.

[YamFazMan]

Revs Racing in West Mids does Fazer shock rebuilds.
ATB YFM

[YamFazMan]

Link to Revs Racing
http://www.revsracing.co.uk/shockrefurbs.php
ATB YFM
 

[kebab19]

Kebab could you take a couple more measurements please
can you measure the width of the swinging arm where it attaches to the frame and also the distance from the centre of the swinging arm pivot point to the centre of the wheel spindle slot to see how it will affect the wheelbase.

Width of the TRX swingarm where it attaches to frame is 254 or 255mm.
Center of swingarm pivot point to centre of wheel spindle is adjustable from minimum of 508mm to a maximum of 534mm.