'96-97 BANDIT 1200 rear shock needed

[Macstar]

Hey chaps

I'm after a '96-97 BANDIT 1200 Rear Shock for my RF900. If anyone has one please PM me, or if anyone knows someone wrecking a Bandit....

Cheers.

Ph: 027-447-6683

[Robert Taylor]

Hey chaps

I'm after a '96-97 BANDIT 1200 Rear Shock for my RF900. If anyone has one please PM me, or if anyone knows someone wrecking a Bandit....

Cheers.

Ph: 027-447-6683

Just maybe I might have one and will look tommorrow, please pm me to remind me. This is one of the few shock interchanges that works well.

[Macstar]

So I've heard (good interchange between RF & Bandit). Awesome mate thanks.

[F5 Dave]

Get him to sell you a spring as well, both the RF & Bandit I measured were something pathetic like 6.6 (or was it 6.8) which borders on dangerous for all but the truly anorexic. Some model RFs may have stiffer springs. Maybe.

[Robert Taylor]

Get him to sell you a spring as well, both the RF & Bandit I measured were something pathetic like 6.6 (or was it 6.8) which borders on dangerous for all but the truly anorexic. Some model RFs may have stiffer springs. Maybe.

You are pretty much on the money with this and thanks for reminding me. The fitted spring measured at 6.4 newtons on my test rig. The Ohlins shock listed for that model has a 9 newton spring standard with rather less preload, that says something in itself.

[Colapop]

Is it possible to replace just the spring or do I have to get a whole new shock?

[Robert Taylor]

Is it possible to replace just the spring or do I have to get a whole new shock?

In fact the biggest problem with respringing oem road bike shocks is sourcing suitable springs to fit. There almost seems to be a horrible habit of making a spring totally peculiar to each shock. We have on many occassions found we can fit Ohlins springs but that invariably often involves making a distance spacer. If not done properly this creates long and even short term problems. ( Evidence my Heath Robinson comments in other posts )

Many of the especially ''single tube'' oem shocks are also very limited in their performance and compatibility with different rate springing, as the internal damping control is very often a product of an accountants rather than an engineers pencil.

So the results most often struggle to attain mediocre status

[Macstar]

Have I taken the right measurement Robert?

[roogazza]

I know its a budget fix, but after poking around on a Bandit site in the States I found a mod some do by fitting an early 90's gsxr1100 shock.
The shocks are 25mm longer and this affects the clearance, (tyre to ground )while on mainstand , but I find the extra clearance a bonus and the shocks are a step up on the oem bandit shock. Remember too that the increase in rear ride height will alter steering rate. Gaz.

[Macstar]

Yeah thanks, I had heard they fit too. I think Rob and I have got it sussed now. cheers.