Suspension upgrade advice

[Fuzzy]

Looking for some advice in regards to my 2000 Fazer's suspension, hope you can help. It has 34k on the clock and although it's actually not too bad yet, I think a suspension upgrade maybe on the cards this year.
 
I'm a light fella at around 10 stone or 65kg. Mostly solo riding on the road, though I take a pillion regularly. Not looking for a rock hard ride, just a refresh of the suspension so it's confidence inspiring when I push a bit harder.

So, for the rear - first of all, am I correct in thinking that NONE of the oem fzs600 shocks are rebuildable? Assuming it's not, I think my first choice is the basic Wilbers through MCT or Revsracing who'd fit it and set it up for me. An alternative is buying the basic Nitron, though I think I'd like them to set it up and fit it for me also.

As for the forks -  I think I want to get them rebuilt & set-up by MCT or Revsracing. Is it worth spending another £100 on new springs or is a rebuild & a set-up by a pro enough?

This is all going to be pretty expensive! :'( Do you think it's worth spending £500+ and do you have any recommendations or suggestions? I'd be really grateful to hear them. Cheers!

[Fazer Jake]

at ypur weight i wouldnt bother spendiong money on adecent shock. pretty sure theres acompany on ebay that recondition them for 100 pounds

[wraith600]

def new stronger springs std ones are to soft

[kebab19]

Hagon fork springs with slightly heavier oil should sort out the front on a tight budget

Standard rear shock is not 'officially' rebuildable, but can be done by fitting a Schrader valve. I believe one of the Scottish owners can do this type of rebuild, but the info is buried away somewhere on the old Foccer website.

2nd hand aftermarket shocks pop up on ebay occasionally, if going new Nitron prob'ly the best choice & they will set it up to your specifications

[Strifae]

I have a Hagon Rear shock on mine and it was bloody brilliant 

[Fuzzy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.... I wish Yamaha fitted the Fazers with easily rebuildable shocks in the first place, or better still a shock that wasn't so crappy. Shame there doesn't seem to be any alternative oem ones from other bikes that fit either.

As for the forks, I'll have to figure out whether new springs are necessary bearing in mind my Fazer has preload to harden them, and that I don't seem to be so negatively affected as heavier riders by the soft originals. I think I'll take it to a pro and see what they say, maybe a service/rebuild will be enough.

So, there is less of a concensus than I expected concerning whether the original shock is rebuildable or not. So, I guess I better look into rebuilds first before going for a new shock.

@Fazer Jake, you're right there is a seller on ebay. I will get in touch with him so I can ask him exactly what he does and how, as well as whether he's actually done a Fazer shock before!

I did speak to a very helpful chap at Revsracing who said that some of the shocks are rebuildable while some aren't. I think he said that the ones with a 14.5mm damper shaft are rebuildable (by them anyway) whilst the ones with a 12mm shaft aren't. Two other firms I spoke  to flat out denied they were rebuildable at all. Further investigation needed!

I'll investigate, make a few phone calls and report back when I get it sorted.

[thom_1991]

Preload doesn't increase the springs stiffness just how much they initially compress. Don't bother with Hagon as they're progressive and a one size fits all "solution". Linear forks springs in the front probably 0.85 or .9kg/mm along with that Nitron which will come correctly sprung and setup for you.

[Fuzzy]

Thanks, had heard linears are better than progressive, so will go with those. Talking of Hagon, despite a lot of good feedback of their shocks I've also heard bad things about them, for not a lot more you can get a Nitron or Wilbers that seem to be higher quality. If I'm spending £300 on a shock, I guess I might as well spend 10% more on something that's a little more advanced.

[thom_1991]

Exactly. Sort of wish i'd bought a "basic" Nitron sport for about £350 supplied with the right spring instead of going mad and buying a second hand NTR track shock (higher spec more adjustment more expensive) from eBay intended for a Honda Nc30 which i now need to remove to get repsrung and then setup. Ah well it'll be worth it when its done...