RF400/RF600/RF900 rear shock rebuild

[328FTW]

The rear shock on my new daily is shagged, zero dampning and it pogos on rough corner exit so I need to fix it. I've tried searching but there isn't much on the RF setup. Does anyone know if the shocks can be rebuilt or are they sealed? I'm not overly keen on a used shock given age, wear and uncertainty so if they're not able to be rebuilt what's the best option to replace? Some of the GSXR 750 shocks look pretty much the same with only 5mm eye to eye difference which I can deal with in various ways. Is there anything else there I could be using aside from spending an age on the depths of the internet looking for suitable new replacements that aren't priced inline with solid gold?

It really doesn't look special and I've used my lathe + mill to do custom shocks on cars before but I'm hesitant to apply the same logic to the bike which has way less travel and margins of error that are much more fatal.

[husaberg]

The rear shock on my new daily is shagged, zero dampning and it pogos on rough corner exit so I need to fix it. I've tried searching but there isn't much on the RF setup. Does anyone know if the shocks can be rebuilt or are they sealed? I'm not overly keen on a used shock given age, wear and uncertainty so if they're not able to be rebuilt what's the best option to replace? Some of the GSXR 750 shocks look pretty much the same with only 5mm eye to eye difference which I can deal with in various ways. Is there anything else there I could be using aside from spending an age on the depths of the internet looking for suitable new replacements that aren't priced inline with solid gold?

It really doesn't look special and I've used my lathe + mill to do custom shocks on cars before but I'm hesitant to apply the same logic to the bike which has way less travel and margins of error that are much more fatal.

Most anything can be rebuilt even the "non rebuildables" its whether it is worth it or not.
http://www.racetech.com/page/title/SPNV%20Installation
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/857373-how-to-rebuild-a-non-rebuildable-crf150f-rear-shock/
there was a place years ago in I think Takapuna that used to advertise..........

[nzspokes]

My old K1 Bandit 1200 had a Busa rear shock in it which was abit longer and helped turn in. It handled great.

But anything RF I would ask Drew.

[328FTW]

Thank you, and yes you are correct I have done "non rebuildable" shocks before but among those are ones that had welded on caps which require sizable effort to fix; enough I'd probably junk it. Even a press fit cap I can deal with but hate most welded ones. The bike has no centre stand so I'm struggling to get my head under it to see properly, I'm just asking because I'll have a break from my work soon and if someone suggests a good option that requires lead time on ordering it'll be ready for when I start :)

[ducatilover]

Bro, drill a small hole and fit a grease nipple. Grease till it's hard as fuck and then re-paint the bastard.


<_<

[328FTW]

Bro, drill a small hole and fit a grease nipple. Grease till it's hard as fuck and then re-paint the bastard.


<_<

If I paint it red will it go faster?

[ducatilover]

If I paint it red will it go faster?

:niceone: No but it will speed the damping action up.

[328FTW]

Just finished rebuilding it bar refilling with with pressure charge. There is no filler on the RF400 shock and it holds a pressure charge, ie sealed unit. Taking it apart basically you find it's like a normal shock with the circlip around the inside of the shock body holding the seal head etc in. I had to drill the housing to release the pressure so I could push the shock head down to access the circlip; also have to grind the main nut to release. After I did that just changed out all the seals, gave the shaft a quick buff to remove some surface scratches and welded on a schrader valve off my GN250's leaking tube over the hole I drilled way down at the bottom of the base below where the seals run over. Gone from zero dampning to having plenty again. If anyone in the realm of the internet ever finds this thread I'd advise if you drill a hole like me that you think carefully about where so it clears everything on your frame, else you basically fucked yourself over.

I'll throw some nitrogen charge in it tomorrow and put it back on the bike. I would still like a new shock to be most comfortable but at least it won't be a kicking bronco hiding under some fairings anymore.

[ducatilover]

:2thumbsup That's as cool as shit bro.
You didn't happen to get any pics while you had it open did you?

[328FTW]

:2thumbsup That's as cool as shit bro.
You didn't happen to get any pics while you had it open did you?

Nah, just looks like any shock though. The main difference being no filler port.

My bike is well behaved again now, no more bouncing to infinity and beyond.

[ducatilover]

Nah, just looks like any shock though. The main difference being no filler port.

My bike is well behaved again now, no more bouncing to infinity and beyond.

Grouse
I have three spare shocks sitting around so I might open one up and have a gander inside it

[F5 Dave]

I hope you put some seriously light oil in it rather than 15w or it will pack down which will be more dangerous. But I've done the same on 50s.

[ducatilover]

I hope you put some seriously light oil in it rather than 15w or it will pack down which will be more dangerous. But I've done the same on 50s.

How light would you recommend?

[F5 Dave]

Modern rear shock oil, easy enough to find.

[328FTW]

I hope you put some seriously light oil in it rather than 15w or it will pack down which will be more dangerous. But I've done the same on 50s.


How light would you recommend?


Modern rear shock oil, easy enough to find.

All of the above, was very light oil. I'd almost describe it as cooking oil, I didn't taste it though to see if it was made of olives.


I passed my warrant though, new tyres, new sprockets, new brake pads, new shock bits, new mirrors, new LED indicators, new stuff I can't even recall right now. I finally feel like I'm on top of the issues it had.