I'm rebuilding my suspension to fit my weight - 230 - but the cost of a new shock isn't very tempting at the moment. Maybe I'll just get new springs for now. Waiting for the stock shock to wear out and then upgrade is on my mind.
How long will the wait be?
If you're very certain that I'll be MUCH happier with a new shock right now I would appreciate it if you would talk me into doing it sooner than later.
Is the stock shock really that bad or can it handle the extra work from my weight?
A Pemske or Ohlins unit will be a huge improvement. If you're contemplating swapping springs, you're already $200ish into a new shock.
You can get a Penske, suited to your weight/riding needs for around $800+/- through any Penske dealer. I worked for Evolution Suspension, in San Jose, and have done several shock swaps on various brands of bikes. In the long run, going with a new unit is the best value, and gives the greatest results.
Your shock is blown out right now, I can see it on the camera. [cheeky]
They seem to last pretty good, not a lot of talk here on ones going dead.
Thanks and since you guys know what you're talking about:
Just to give me something more specific than "huge improvement" - if a totally worn out shock is 0 and 10 is really good Penske (or WP which my "guru" recommends) - where do you place a stock shock?
My guru adjusted the rebound from 16 to 6 clicks - counting from it's slowest - and it didn't help a lot (?) so I suspect the spring (not to mention the dangerously soft front) is the weakest point. That's why I was wondering if changing the spring will be "enough" for now.
You make a good point on the first $200 spent on a spring - I guess I won't be able to buy a cheaper shock later just because I already have "my" spring. Besides the labour will double up.
Actually you should be able to reuse the spring. Whether you get a new spring now or not you will need to respring the new shock for your weight or you'll simply have an advanced version of your current issue. From websites it appears WP will spring for weight on purchase. Your WP guru should be able to help you with this including the reuse of the spring cost wise if you need to apply it to the new shock.
The cost of the spring is redundant.
Get the forks and shock resprung for your weight and go from there.
I'm going this route...
http://www.traxxion.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=SPORT
the shock w/o the reservoir saves about $300.
Quote from: stopintime on July 01, 2008, 04:13:05 PM
Waiting for the stock shock to wear out and then upgrade is on my mind.
How long will the wait be?
I got almost exactly 100,000 miles out of mine before it dumped all its oil out thru the shaft seal (and all over the exhaust right in front of the rear tire!)
big
No opinions on the 0-10 scale?
Quote from: bigiain on July 02, 2008, 01:44:58 AM
I got almost exactly 100,000 miles out of mine before it dumped all its oil out thru the shaft seal (and all over the exhaust right in front of the rear tire!)
big
100k :o best get to it then - vrooom vroom
Quote from: RandyFloyd on July 02, 2008, 12:30:39 AM
I'm going this route...
http://www.traxxion.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=SPORT
the shock w/o the reservoir saves about $300.
That's more or less the same route as my guru suggested. Cost is similar, but now I know that customized valves should/could be included. [thumbsup]
Quote from: stopintime on July 02, 2008, 02:55:19 AM
100k :o best get to it then - vrooom vroom
Keep in mind that was 100k to complete failure - while it was immediately obvious that it wasn't working at all any more with no oil in it, it was equally clear when refitted after a rebuild that I'd gotten used to it not working nearly as well as intended over the last few tens of thousand miles... My intention now is to get it seen to every 50-70k miles instead of letting it go that long again...
big
I'm having to have mine rebuilt on an '03 620 with 11,500 miles. Must of been a "bad" one from the getgo as it just started pissing oil. Sachs=sucks?
I think it's worth it to note that Penske shocks are designed to be user-serviceable/rebuildable. Not certain but I think Ohlins and others must be sent out to an authorized service center.
Furthermore, a shock sock keeps dirt off the shock shaft, which I assume would prolong seal life. These are commonly sold on the internet. If you want to be cheap an empty water bottle split down the side accomplishes the same.
stop, I would urge you to go Penske. At 230 you have a good reason to go all out. Penske gives bling factor, performance, and the practicality of user serviceability. The prospect of being able to rebuild it myself should I need to do so is what sold me on the Penske, in addition to its construction quality vs the Ohlins. Look at them side by side and one gets the suspicion that the Penske is more robustly built.
But you should have a slew of choices. Elka, Ohlins, Penske, WP, Wilbers. You're going to want more than just a respring on the stock Suchs. Go big or go big!
Quote from: bergdoerfer on February 23, 2011, 07:02:05 PM
I think it's worth it to note that Penske shocks are designed to be user-serviceable/rebuildable. Not certain but I think Ohlins and others must be sent out to an authorized service center.
Furthermore, a shock sock keeps dirt off the shock shaft, which I assume would prolong seal life. These are commonly sold on the internet. If you want to be cheap an empty water bottle split down the side accomplishes the same.
stop, I would urge you should go Penske. At 230 you have a good reason to go all out. Penske gives bling factor, performance, and the practicality of user serviceability. The prospect of being able to rebuild it myself should I need to do so is what sold me on the Penske, in addition to its construction quality vs the Ohlins. Look at them side by side and one gets the suspicion that the Penske is more robustly built.
But you should have a slew of choices. Elka, Ohlins, Penske, WP, Wilbers. I think at this point in your ownership your bike deserves more than just a respring on a shitty stock shock. Go big or go big!
Are Penske shocks not nitrogen charged?
Who has the capability to do that in their home shop?
Quote from: ducpainter on February 23, 2011, 07:06:52 PM
Are Penske shocks not nitrogen charged?
Who has the capability to do that in their home shop?
They are nitrogen charged. Purge via schraeder valve, disassemble, reassemble, fill back up with nitrogen at a tire shop or welding supply.
Penske has a manual explaining how to rebuild them.