Rear shock rebuild.

[BobQ]

I want to rebuild my rear shock, I have a 2007, has any one done one? I have experience with dirt bikes and have the nitrogen charging equipment, just need some insight into installing the nitrogen filling valve and disassembly.

Any thoughts?

Thanks Bob

 

[Ignacio]

Discussed many times before. While technically possible....the question inevitably comes around to why spend the considerable expense to rebuild an OEM shock that was intended to be disposable? You'll probably find a gently used one far cheaper and........consider getting a real shock. It's one of the single best improvements you can make on your FJR.

 

[garyahouse]

+1

Just curious, how many miles on your shock?

You'll find em on the forum from time to time. Post up an add in the classified section and see if someone might have a gently used one.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[escapefjrtist]

The rear shock can be rebuilt successfully, take a look at post 12 on this thread for info.

You can buy a budget aftermarket shock that is fully rebuildable for $500 - $600...

--G

 

[Fontanaman]

I will be more blunt. The rear shock on Gen II's is a piece of junk. I wallows like a poked pig. Treat yourself to a new rear shock and a front fork upgrade to transform the FJR's suspension from a barcalounger to an outstanding suspension worthy of a world class sport touring bike.

 

[Patriot]

I will be more blunt. The rear shock on Gen II's is a piece of junk. I wallows like a poked pig. Treat yourself to a new rear shock and a front fork upgrade to transform the FJR's suspension from a barcalounger to an outstanding suspension worthy of a world class sport touring bike.

not everyone is kin to Bill Gates !!!

 

[Fontanaman]

I will be more blunt. The rear shock on Gen II's is a piece of junk. I wallows like a poked pig. Treat yourself to a new rear shock and a front fork upgrade to transform the FJR's suspension from a barcalounger to an outstanding suspension worthy of a world class sport touring bike.

not everyone is kin to Bill Gates !!!

I am not kin to Bill Gates - don't even like that remark. If I was I'd have a BMW or three. The FJR's low price comes at a price - garbage stock suspension.

 

[MCRIDER007]

I will be more blunt. The rear shock on Gen II's is a piece of junk. I wallows like a poked pig.

I am going to have to partially disagree. The Gen 2 rear shock seems to have pretty good damping when the "soft" setting is used and is capable of giving a pretty plush ride on relatively smooth pavement. The problem is that the spring rate on the soft setting is made for a 150 lb rider...which few of us are....and even a 150 lb rider is going to find the soft setting inadequate at a brisk pace on a back road. OEM shocks can be re-sprung and re-valved with very good results. Traxxion did it to my Goldwing shock and that re-built shock was as good as any aftermarket shock I ever ever owned but the rebuild wasn't cheap, it was just the only thing that was any good that was available at that time.

 

[Fred W]

The rear shock cannot be rebuilt unless you do some machine work to add a nitrogen charge port. RaceTech will rebuild your stock shock, and add a nitrogen port. They can also modify the spring rate and improve the damping rates, Their price list is here.

That said, I have no first hand experience with them or their work, only the knowledge that they will do it. I have a Penske rear shock setup by GP Suspensions.

 

[dirttracker30]

So has anyone had Race Tech do this ? Some of the pricing details are sketchy.

 

[Fred W]

If you do, I would not trust their spring weight calculator. When I enter in 220 lbs for rider weight it tells me .985 kg/mm for the fork springs (which is close but maybe a bit on the light side) and 18.75 kg/mm for the shock spring. That converts to 1050 lbs/in. That would be way to stiff. I previously had an 800 lb/in spring on my shock (Penske) and at the last rebuild at GP they upped it to a 900. For my riding on rough New England roads the 900 is a bit too stiff, and I am probably going to go back to the 800. No way I could run a 1050 lb/in spring. That would be like having a hard tail.