Replace or Rebuild Shock?

**Coyote** · 10th January 2008, 11:04

The shock in my VFR is fucked. It's like riding a trampoline. I PM'd Robert Taylor and he estimated it would cost $300 to rebuild my shock, but that's an estimate and it may not be rebuildable. If I'm lucky it could be cheaper, but this bike hasn't given me a break at all since getting it (could've paid off the loan with the amount I've had and have to spend on it).

Every so often a shock appears on trademe, there's currently a 99-00 CBR600 shock that I'm pretty sure would fit (I think the current shock is 300mm long) and it's half the cost of the estimated rebuild. There is also a TZR250 shock and a Sachs RSV1000 shock too.

What I'd like to know is what could I reasonably get away with regarding replacing my shock with something different? Would a cheaper alternative be better (which I very much doubt)? The current shock is an adjustable Showa shock with remote reservoir so it's pretty flash (at least in it's day) so if the alternatives aren't as great I may as well borrow the extra money I need. Otherwise there's other things the bike needs that I can put my money towards (headstock breaings, front brake pads, carb balancing, fixing the hole in the exhaust, fixing headlights and neutral light, de-buckle/replace front wheel, valve clearance check, find out and fix whatever is making it smoke when it's cold, oil and filter....).

**imdying** · 10th January 2008, 11:11

You should PM Robert again...

**montsta56** · 10th January 2008, 11:11

Hey Coyote
I've got a Sp1 rear shock that may interest you ( a Common conversion on an Nc30) I loved it on mine but I've recently ordered an Ohlins rear. The shock has done bugger all K's.

**cowpoos** · 10th January 2008, 11:43

Does any of these shocks share identical linkages?? NO...does it share the same motor torque,swingarm angle,weight,chasiss dynamics??? I could babble on for hours here!!!

Get it re-built I don't care what any arm chair expert says about swaping shocks from other bikes...they are fricken wrong!!! and will always be wrong!!

Pm robert again as imdying suggested...and ask him about this...he many not reply for a while as he will be very busy with the NZ superbike nationals and helping testing at the WSBK test at phillip Island this week.

**imdying** · 10th January 2008, 11:51

Woah woah woah there poos... everyone on the internet says it's a good swap, and on the 400greybike forums, they all do it. So it must be good and work properly. I mean, they couldn't all be wrong could they? People aren't fundamentally retards are they? Say it isn't so!

**Coyote** · 10th January 2008, 11:51

Originally Posted by imdying

You should PM Robert again...

Originally Posted by cowpoos

Does any of these shocks share identical linkages?? NO...does it share the same motor torque,swingarm angle,weight,chasiss dynamics??? I could babble on for hours here!!!

Get it re-built I don't care what any arm chair expert says about swaping shocks from other bikes...they are fricken wrong!!! and will always be wrong!!

Pm robert again as imdying suggested...and ask him about this...he many not reply for a while as he will be very busy with the NZ superbike nationals and helping testing at the WSBK test at phillip Island this week.

Will ask if he doesn't see this thread.

I was just asking as all money going into the bike at this point is borrowed since I haven't got a proper job yet. I've already poured a tonne of cash into the stupid thing for the last 8 months since I got it and I'll be pouring a lot more in untill I can actually afford to start again with a better, newer bike. Just seeing if there was something cheaper out there.

Originally Posted by montsta56

Hey Coyote
I've got a Sp1 rear shock that may interest you ( a Common conversion on an Nc30) I loved it on mine but I've recently ordered an Ohlins rear. The shock has done bugger all K's.

I've always wanted an SP1. Maybe I can just have a part of it

How much?

**cowpoos** · 10th January 2008, 12:23

Originally Posted by imdying

Woah woah woah there poos... everyone on the internet says it's a good swap, and on the 400greybike forums, they all do it. So it must be good and work properly. I mean, they couldn't all be wrong could they? People aren't fundamentally retards are they? Say it isn't so!

well...lets just say...if we started removing all the warning labels and signs in the world...we would systimatically kill these sorts of rumours by natural selection!!!

**limbimtimwim** · 10th January 2008, 12:28

Originally Posted by Coyote

The shock in my VFR is fucked. It's like riding a trampoline. I PM'd Robert Taylor and he estimated it would cost $300 to rebuild my shock, but that's an estimate and it may not be rebuildable.

I think the VFR shock is rebuildable to a certain extent. Don't have a parts fiche handy to double check though.

**montsta56** · 10th January 2008, 12:30

Say what ya please but the conversion worked fine for me!

**cowpoos** · 10th January 2008, 12:46

Originally Posted by montsta56

Say what ya please but the conversion worked fine for me!

LMfao...and you know coz?? your a ride god?? skill in everything including delusional bullshit??? hahahahahaahahahahaha

**vifferman** · 10th January 2008, 13:07

Originally Posted by cowpoos

LMfao...and you know coz?? your a ride god?? skill in everything including delusional bullshit??? hahahahahaahahahahaha

Oh come on, Mr Poos, Sir! Play nice!
If the bike handled more betterer afterwards, surely that's good enough? Even if it was suboptimal, if it's an improvement over how it was, then it can be deemed "to have worked".

**cowpoos** · 10th January 2008, 13:41

Originally Posted by vifferman

Oh come on, Mr Poss, Sir! Play nice!
If the bike handled more betterer afterwards, surely that's good enough? Even if it was suboptimal, if it's an improvement over how it was, then it can be deemed "to have worked".

hmmmm....Sir?? I like that...Sir Poo's ...has a certain grandurous ring to it!!

Yeah I should be nicer...but it seems on here sometimes...you have to be an arse to get a point across...and I and many other get irritated by people preaching stupid suggestions...especially in the case of suspension,brakes and tyres...as these thing directly effect safety...so if some irrisponsable ass recomends something stupid based on some delusional thought of a twat on a forum somewhere or mate of a mate in a pub that once said xxxxxx?!? and the out come is dangerous or potentually dangerous...I don't mind shoting it down and sound like arsehole if thats what it takes to get a point across...one of the bad things about the internet is people that spout this crap hold no liablity...think what would happen on a publication recommended putting a SP1 shock in a vfr400...they would be in all kinds of shit!! and the reason they don't recommend such things is liability...

My $1.43

Ps: That and I need a coffee!!

**James Deuce** · 10th January 2008, 17:00

Originally Posted by montsta56

Say what ya please but the conversion worked fine for me!

NC30s and NC24s aren't exactly the same. Coyote is actually a pleasant lad and it would be nice to see him make curmudgeon.

I'll often disagree with people but I won't call them a wanker because I do.

What I don't understand is why people will replace one worn shock with another and then claim it's an improvement.

Most OEM equipment will last about 20,000km before it is utterly shagged. People shout at me when I say that, but it has certainly been the case with anything I've owned, and in some cases, even sooner.

My NC24 shock seized at about 14,000kms. The rebuild was comparatively painless and the mechanic and I did the work and re-sprung it for good measure at the same time. It cost me $300 for the rebuild. In 1990. The Showa spring was about $120 from memory.

Get the shock rebuilt. You have the opportunity to get it done by an expert, or you can put a shock in there on the advice of people who don't have a poofteenth of the experience and knowledge that Robert does. Your (and your wallet's) choice.

Steering head bearings can be done yourself. Buy the replacements from Shrodoco and it will cost you about a third of the price for OEM bearings. The front wheel can be repaired easily. I try and find the name of the company who fixed my TRX front wheel and repainted it for $230 inc. freight.