Rear shock on my DR250

**kro** · 17th March 2006, 21:30

My DR has zero rear suspension. The spring seems ok, but the shock is just a big spongy mess, with no damping etc etc.

It looks as though the shock could be dismantled, and messed with. Would the replacement of the oil, and gas recharging make any difference?. I only ride once a week, for about 6 hours at a time, and really low key adventure riding, with a bit of stropping up and down some rutty tracks/hills.

I am loathed to spend money on it, its just a hobby bike. I have the tools and the mechanical aptitude, but don't want to launch into something thats not gonna make it any better.

Thanks troops.

**crazyxr250rider** · 17th March 2006, 21:36

Buy a RMX shock.

**Brian d marge** · 18th March 2006, 01:24

Its not that hard to rebuild a rear shock, I do mine every hand full of meetings, This time round I replaced all the bump stop, seals etc so was a little more expensive than usual, but no that much so

if you are careful you can do it yourself. and take it to a dealer to get recharged with nitogen .

Stephen

**cowpoos** · 18th March 2006, 09:27

very typical of dr's....god knows why....I got a new rear shock under warrenty on my drz 250....and was told by the dealer that quite a few have failed aswell....apparently a weak bladder is the main weakness in the shock...

**kro** · 18th March 2006, 09:39

Thanks troops. I might launch into it, and see what happens.

**Brian d marge** · 18th March 2006, 20:29

if you need any photos or pictures to help , I have my rear shock apart again. Trying a modded low speed horiface.

Stephen

**kro** · 20th March 2006, 06:34

Sorry Brian D, I lost track of this thread. Thanks for the offer, I will try get a schematic or similar off the net. My one is covered in oil, the shaft, the lower body, the spring. I'm starting to wonder if there's any oil left in the old shock at all. There is definitely a removeable cap on the thing, so I'm going in tonight, and inspecting the "damage".

**Wellyman** · 21st March 2006, 17:54

Originally Posted by kro

Sorry Brian D, I lost track of this thread. Thanks for the offer, I will try get a schematic or similar off the net. My one is covered in oil, the shaft, the lower body, the spring. I'm starting to wonder if there's any oil left in the old shock at all. There is definitely a removeable cap on the thing, so I'm going in tonight, and inspecting the "damage".

O dear all that oil is not a good sign! I think it would now be empty judging on what you said and that is a disater. many vitals inside could be damaged. I would get an expert on it (your local shop) or best be would be a suspension Guru (Tjbbe Bruin,Norm Cobb, Browny at Colemans).
WM

**kro** · 22nd March 2006, 22:00

dammit, don't say that, I just got my sidestand fixed, and I'm taking zeRax out on sunday, for a ride, and can't be worrying about such things.

grrr, now I have more work to do.

**kro** · 2nd April 2006, 20:34

Just getting back to this.... is there a speacial oil to use in the rear shock?

**Brian d marge** · 2nd April 2006, 20:42

yes the thinner the better .... depends on the speed at which you want your shock to move.

ATF is a touch to hard, I used it in me CR but it slowed the shock to much and I lost traction you may not notice if you are just trail riding

Stephen

**Wellyman** · 2nd April 2006, 21:16

Aren't you supposed to use fork oil, they can be used for forks and shocks I think. but ain't sure, best bet is to ring a shop to ask.
WM

**kro** · 2nd April 2006, 21:41

My riding is almost exclusively forest work, i.e loose clay, some rocky hills, some loose dirt, and a fair bit of gravel road. I dont race at all (yet), and if I did, it would be low key VMX if at all.

I am not going hard out at all, I just want some traction, of which I have very little at the moment.

**Brian d marge** · 2nd April 2006, 23:47

If you dont mind waiting untill tomorow I am picking up some oil myself , There is quite a range to chose from so I can tell you some more!

Shock oil has a lot of anti foaming sstuff in it, which is why you can use atf , I use atf in the gearbox ( good for 1 race session only), front forks , and as I said the rear , but it was to hard in the rear put that one down to experience !
I do have a list somewhere with the viscositys , I pinched it off a web site some where! I can find if needed.

stephen