replace 03 rear shock with 05, hummm

[dingofarmer]

So I have 37K on my 03. I am going to take a 3k+ trip out to California to motogp and back to colorado. I'm somewhat concerned about my rear shock, as the original owner spent a-lot of time on long trips. I found a 05 rear shock for dirt cheap in great shape and under 13k miles. The price is under 100.00. I looked at part numbers through my favorite online parts place and it seems that the numbers are the same, with exception to what I think is the Euro version where the part numbers differed by one, both numbers in the last case were different than the 06 and above models. I did some searching around and I know that the 06 changed quite a bit. Any experience or advice is very welcomed. I'm just trying to cover myself with what I feel is my only potential weak spot for the trip. Everything and I do mean everything else has been lubed torqued or replaced.

John

 

[dcarver]

Great question -

At 37K my gen2 06 was toast but I continued on anyway due to lack of finances.

Serious miles later replaced the oem with a Penske 3-way and have been soo happy ever since -

but if you can source a low miles oem for 100 USD or less, I'd say go for it - unless you can spend the additional $$ now for a Penske/Wilbers/Whatever.

My experience has been that GP Suspension in Oregon is a *great* shop to deal with.

 

[dingofarmer]

THanks for the reply,

Id like to go for a full upgrade on the front and back next summer, however I cannot argue with 100.00 at this point. The rear does not feel too stiff and I think that I'm in a similar position you were in. My main concern is a breakdown in the middle of nowhere or in a corner. I'm heading up from denver to boise to vale oregon, down through tahoe and to monterey, about 1800 one way, loaded down. I may pick it up anyways just for piece of mind. Just hope it fits, it looks exactly the same.

 

[FJRay]

The 05 shock is a nice improvement over the 03. Better spring by a bunch. I had two 05 shocks before my bride bought the Penske so we could ride in comfort. You won't be sorry.

 

[dingofarmer]

The 05 shock is a nice improvement over the 03. Better spring by a bunch. I had two 05 shocks before my bride bought the Penske so we could ride in comfort. You won't be sorry.

FJray,

THHHHAAANNNKKK YYYOOOUU,

looks like the install will be a 6-pack and a saturday. Ill have to get on FJRTech and look at his work up as he replaced the stock with a after market but the removal is what I'm looking for. I have the service manual also.

 

[FJRay]

Changing the shock is a real easy job.

 

[Bugnatr]

Changing the shock is a real easy job.

Spoken by a man with a real nice bike lift

 

[HaulinAshe]

Changing the shock on a non-ABS 2003 really is no big deal. 2006-2007 ABS models are the MOST difficult because of interference from the ABS motor assy. bracket. That problem was fixed in 2008-up.

If you opted for a later model rear shock, say 2007 or later, the spring rate is so much improved that it works EXTREMELY well on Gen-I bikes. The significantly increased spring rates used in Gen-II shocks are a near perfect match for the shorter swingarm of the Gen-I bikes.

That's not to say that $100 worth of peace of mind is a bad investment. It is not. But if you could locate a good used Gen-II (2007-up because not all 2006 models got the new spring rates), you will be even more pleased with your end result.

 

[Donal]

While you're there have a good look at all the suspension relay arm bearings and grease them up - it's an ideal time to do this often overlooked job.

Don

 

[FJReady]

While you're there have a good look at all the suspension relay arm bearings and grease them up - it's an ideal time to do this often overlooked job.

Don

+1

 

[FJRay]

Changing the shock is a real easy job.

Spoken by a man with a real nice bike lift

You are wrong. I have two real nice bike lifts but I didn't want to brag. Got lots of other good **** if you are in the area and need anything.

 

[dingofarmer]

I found a great tutorial, and it does look pretty easy, when compared to the CCT. Thanks for all the great advice. I will probably spring for a full upgrade next year as I would like a little more, kinda miss my R1 suspension. The FJR is a much better fit for me now.

 

[xcsp]

So a rear shock from any other model year will fit the '03 FJR's?

I noticed the part # for the oem shocks of newer FJRs have different numbers than the '03, possibly due to a different spring used in later models?

 

[Ignacio]

So a rear shock from any other model year will fit the '03 FJR's?

..... possibly due to a different spring used in later models?

Check post #4, #8, and already answered on the forum many many times.

 

[dingofarmer]

So a rear shock from any other model year will fit the '03 FJR's?

..... possibly due to a different spring used in later models?

Check post #4, #8, and already answered on the forum many many times.

I have in my hands an 05 and my 03 rear shock and yes it is a direct bolt in. The 05 seems much better, but my 03 also had 37k on it.

 

[carlson_mn]

What had you believing that your rear shock is in trouble? My bike also happens to have 37k miles on it and a lot of it was 2up. My bike seems to handle just fine though... but i want to know what to look out for as warning signs of a replacement needed. Nice to see Gen2 shocks fit Gen1!

 

[dingofarmer]

What had you believing that your rear shock is in trouble? My bike also happens to have 37k miles on it and a lot of it was 2up. My bike seems to handle just fine though... but i want to know what to look out for as warning signs of a replacement needed. Nice to see Gen2 shocks fit Gen1!

Honesty, mainly the worry of it crapping out on a 3k ride and being stuck in the middle of no-where paying 1000.00 for a stock replacement. It seemed loose in rebound and the squat seemed low with me on it. The 05 is a much improved feel and only confirmed my thought that it was time. The plus was that it was a great time to get in there and relube all areas, and there is a little play, so I think I will need new spacers and bearing next time it is apart. i hope this help, but the upgrade for the price was great. I now have an 05 12k on, a spare 05 with 6k, and the original 03 with 37k, I may get into the vintage shock collecting business. Seriously, I could have probably put 15k more on the original.

 

[rogdeb]

What had you believing that your rear shock is in trouble? My bike also happens to have 37k miles on it and a lot of it was 2up. My bike seems to handle just fine though... but i want to know what to look out for as warning signs of a replacement needed. Nice to see Gen2 shocks fit Gen1!

Honesty, mainly the worry of it crapping out on a 3k ride and being stuck in the middle of no-where paying 1000.00 for a stock replacement. It seemed loose in rebound and the squat seemed low with me on it. The 05 is a much improved feel and only confirmed my thought that it was time. The plus was that it was a great time to get in there and relube all areas, and there is a little play, so I think I will need new spacers and bearing next time it is apart. i hope this help, but the upgrade for the price was great. I now have an 05 12k on, a spare 05 with 6k, and the original 03 with 37k, I may get into the vintage shock collecting business. Seriously, I could have probably put 15k more on the original.

Our original shock had 24,000 on it, 99% 2-up riding, and was totally shagged. It was a contributing factor in our low-side in 2004 (ouch !) when the right muffler touched town in a corner and jacked the real wheel off the road.

You're doing a good thing replacing a 2003 shock with 37,000 with any shock from 2005 and up.

I'm now running a HyperPro shock on the rear with remote adjustment and am really happy with it.

 

[squeezer]

I found a great tutorial, and it does look pretty easy, when compared to the CCT. Thanks for all the great advice. I will probably spring for a full upgrade next year as I would like a little more, kinda miss my R1 suspension. The FJR is a much better fit for me now.

Got a link for the tutorial?

And is this even possible without a bike lift?