Ducati Monster Forum

Well the Heading says it all really, very happy with the result, The back of the bike is much better, It doesn't wallow around, you can start to apply the power coming out of a corner and the back of the bike doesn't flop around like a cock in a Shirt sleeve anymore, very happy with the Result.
Here's a Pic:
(http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg286/SpankyMK/Rear%20Shock/DSC01088.jpg)

Here's the how to Thread.
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=8896.0

Very informative - good work [thumbsup]

Which shock is that and what was the price?
Have you started to think about what to do with the forks - my impression is that they are of even lesser quality than the rear. They need to be worked on to balance what you achieved in the rear, no?
I'm having a full rebuild on my bike and would be interested in what a fellow S2R 800 owner discovers.

It's the Du321 from Ohlins with a new rear spring and revalve to suit the spring, everyone told me to get the next model up, but for my type of riding, I really couldn't see the point.

I commute mainly with a little weekend fun thrown in, and for the price of having the Showa Shock re valved and resprung $450 + freight, I got the Ohlins resprung/revalved and shipped for $600 and getting parts and rebuilds later down the track should be a bit easier for a shock like the Ohlins, unilke the OEM which is not really meant to be serviced.

The forks were meant to go to a company in Sydney to be rebuilt and a adjustable Rebound kit fitted, but when things were close to happening, they suddenly seemed very uninterested (not returning Emails and phone calls)
So at this stage I have some heavier springs and my Dealer is keen on playing around with some Oil heights and Mixes to see what difference it makes.

I spent more Money on the rear because for me, I have never been happy with the rear of the bike, I have always hated the performance of the rear shock and spring, the adjustment never seemed to make any real difference. It used to bounce and flop around. useless! (And like you I expected the front to be the weakest point of the suspension, but for me at least it's been the exact opposite)

The front on the other hand is pretty good (For OEM!) They bottom out because of my weight when braking very hard, but I like the way the handle the crap roads up here in northern Australia, So hopefully some new springs and a fiddle with the oil, and it should stop the bottoming out, but keep the feel they currently have.

Thanks - I'm with you on the need (not) for a super duper racing shock for average riders (like me).

About the forks: I have gotten the impression (in theory) that they are hard on high speed compression (like on uneven surfaces, rocks, cracks aso) while they are soft on low speed compression (turning, braking). It should be the other way round.
This impression was confirmed by DMLer Brad Black who discussed this in a very recent thread (if I understood)

 http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=8749.msg144345#msg144345

In that case the forks definitely needs an upgrade too?

EDIT: Brad talked about Showa forks, we have Marzocchis right? Same weak points nevertheless (again; I believe so)

We have the Marzocchi's, I'll be very Interested in finding out how things go when my dealer starts playing around with my forks, should be happening this coming week (Well should be this week, They cracked open my new Termi/DP kit and the Air filter has a hole in it, so we are waiting for that) they are going to fit my termi kit at the same time (Pipes/ECU/Filter Kit) So I might be a little distracted by the new Shiny/noisy bits before I notice how the Forks are going.

Should be Fun  [thumbsup]

Fun is very modest - it is going to be much more than just a giggle - the sound is amazing [moto] [evil]

Please post what you find when you start playing with the forks?

No worries  [thumbsup]

The dealer and I are keen also to try different oil weights and test the results, As he said they can put it in the file for future reference, I win/He wins.

Thinking I might be going down the same road.
Already eyeing them off.

Well, it now has to come back out, it looks like a seal in the lower body was damaged when it was revalved for the heavier spring.


EDIT: Problem Solved, not a shock fault, excess grease on the seals, see my Topic in the Tech section to learn more.