[Help req] Anything i can do to tighten up the rear shock?

[helloindustries]

Ahoy all.

I'm about to get a lowering kit for my 5DM1 as i find the seat angle a bit much on the old sensitive bit and wrist-loading. But wondering if there's much i can do to tighten up the rear? It's a bit on the spongy side for my liking.

Cheap options preferred. But open to swapping it out for an R6/R1 shock (or whatever fits)

[darrsi]

Rear shocks tend to have a lifespan of 20k miles, then feel knackered.
Check for any oil leaks for starters.

[helloindustries]

Hmm, there's a possibility. The bike had done 34000 when i got it a couple of months ago.

Any modern replacements i can use?

[darrsi]

Mine leaked and i was a bit oblivious to it as i wasn't familiar with shock issues, so i was literally riding on the spring for a while, which made cornering a bit of a lively experience.
It felt like the rear tyre was losing grip all the time.
Fortunately i bought a refurbed shock from a fellow foccer which immediately sorted it out.

[ozpom]

A lot of Foccers (including me) have gone for a Hagon replacement shock. It's British and you can get it rebuilt

http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/

[helloindustries]

While it'd love to buy one of those, it's WAY over budget.

[darrsi]

Unfortunately it's another one of those expensive parts on these bikes, along with brake discs, that seem to have a heavy price tag.


Unless you can find a 2nd hand one in very good nick, which is unlikely, then you are realistically looking at around £150 minimum just for a refurb, once P&P has been paid.


I don't know how reliant you are on your bike, mine is my only transport so i need it roadworthy all the time, but if you're the same then i would consider buying a used one and sending it off for a refurb so you can keep the bike on the road, then either sell your old one, or even keep it do do the same next time if you think you'll still have the bike in the future.


Otherwise you've just gotta save up and get it over and done with. Your shock will only get worse over time until you have to get it sorted anyway. 


This one is a little bit better in price for a new one, but maybe also worth putting a post up in the "For Sale & Wanted" section and see if you get lucky.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-FZS600-Fazer-1998-Rear-Adjustable-Gas-Shock-Absorber-YSS-Suspension-/311031196491?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item486ae76b4b

[darrsi]

You'll have to ask the question but i just spotted a rear shock in a photo in "Noggy's Shop" and knowing him on here i would imagine it's in good condition, but whether it's still available or not is another matter?


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,13952.25.html

[noggythenog]

You'll have to ask the question but i just spotted a rear shock in a photo in "Noggy's Shop" and knowing him on here i would imagine it's in good condition, but whether it's still available or not is another matter?


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,13952.25.html

Good spot Darrssi......& im liking the promotional material.......alas i gave it away to fizzypies though in the great noggyshop giveaway bonanza.




Sorry helloindustries

[darrsi]

Oh well, never mind, cheers for letting us know anyway Noggy 

[red98]

Ooooooo...that would have been good....only 15,000 miles aswell.....I know this as I have the clocks   

[noggythenog]

Oh well, never mind, cheers for letting us know anyway Noggy 

Yeh i really need to get my arse on those threads and update to what i actually have......not allot......but to summarise in the face of an opportune marketing window.............


- fibreglass box eye front fairing
- standard can ( for the future fazer antique)
- seat
- rear undertray complete with indicators
- front foot pegs and hangers
- rear right foot peg and hanger
- top yoke and ignition module
- horn
- left side mirror and bracket
- water pump
- blue rear centre piece for fairing
- frame and v5




Soon available after refurbishment:-


- centre stand
- front fairing mounting bracket  and grommets








What a shameless bump

[helloindustries]

Well, i'm waiting on a reply from some ebay sellers on a used shock, to see how many miles the bike had done. No point if it was over 16-ish thousand.

[darrsi]

Well, i'm waiting on a reply from some ebay sellers on a used shock, to see how many miles the bike had done. No point if it was over 16-ish thousand.

You're talking about bikes that are a minimum 11 years old, plus there's no way of telling what mileage they've really done either.

[helloindustries]

Apart from knowing the odo reading at time of breaking, i guess. If accurate, and if it was the original shock from new.

[JoeRock]

Apart from knowing the odo reading at time of breaking, i guess. If accurate, and if it was the original shock from new.

I wouldn't bother buying second hand at all mate, it's not just milage that wears them, time does too (although milage more so). You'd be better off I imagine going down the R6 shock route?

[helloindustries]

I have no objection to doing so. Money is the main difficulty, then part compatibility. I've already spent just over the cost of the bike on repairs etc, and i'm plain out of cash. I could perhaps manage £100 at a utter maximum.

Presently; There's a Fazer shock for less than £50 which had done under 11.5 thousand miles before the bike was written off. From an '02 Fazer. It's currently the best option available to me, especially as this'll be coming out of my dole-scum money.

[darrsi]

I have no objection to doing so. Money is the main difficulty, then part compatibility. I've already spent just over the cost of the bike on repairs etc, and i'm plain out of cash. I could perhaps manage £100 at a utter maximum.

Presently; There's a Fazer shock for less than £50 which had done under 11.5 thousand miles before the bike was written off. From an '02 Fazer. It's currently the best option available to me, especially as this'll be coming out of my dole-scum money.

If that's your true option then go for it, at least you can build up to a known future problem which you can deal with and think about over a period of time.
There are no rules here, do what you need to do and what suits you best.

[helloindustries]

I've just ordered a shock which had done 11,200 miles, and it's cost me £40 including delivery. That should happily see me through for longer than i'll have the bike, provided it's as described.

Next up: Removing the rear plastics and going properly 'naked' with it. Will be getting some LED brake lights etc, and making infills from woven steel wire mesh. Might look a little ratty, but i'm OK with that.