| Author | Message | ||
     Snowscum |
So I hear you cant rebuild them. Where can you buy one thats affordable? Thanks in advance. | ||
| Djkaplan |
They can be rebuilt but I don't where. Nothing is affordable new, but used Penske and Works Performance shocks show up in the classifieds now and then. If you see one, jump on it cause they go fast. Penske says they charge $90 plus shipping for a rebuild and recharge, btw. I can't say enough about how poor the stock Showas are compared to how great the Penske is. I used to think the underslung shock arrangement wasn't a good concept, but it was just the extremely bad shock making it suck. | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
Dj, what is it about the stock shock that sucks? I have a 97 S1 that is my first street bike so I have nothing to compare it to. Its a really stiff suspension though. Im just curious what an aftermarket shock will do that a stock one wont. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Its a really stiff suspension though." That's exactly it. I found the stock rear Showa on my 2000 M2 to be not just stiff feeling, but also jarring. It's like it would go into compression lock over bumps and was very harsh no matter how much I reduced the damping or spring preload. The replacement Showa with the reservoir wasn't much better. The used Penske I got last year (right here in the classifieds) has firm damping that will actually yield to sharp bumps in the road and I can actually feel the rear suspension working. I feel certain the Penske has saved my bacon already with it's incredible control over the rear end. That, and my bag of luck, which is still a little full. | ||
| Jc000 |
Dj, you're running the Penske on your M2? Which model is it (the shock)? Did you have to do any mods to get it to work/mount on your bike? | ||
| Djkaplan |
I got the mid level 8900 shock (from Anthony Caligiuri at Liberty HD). It has has the rebound and compression damping adjustment, ride height adjustment (more important than I realized), and of course, spring preload. I called Penske and got the special spring preload tool (just a little bent rod... the shipping cost more than the tool!) and was good to go. The only mod I had to make was finding a place to mount the reservoir. I made a little bracket to mount it under the engine. Click the link for pics of beautiful M2's and a rousing discussion... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/251321.html?1174501613 Make sure you know the weight of the rider the Penske was built for if you buy a used one. They are spec built for each application. Luckily, I'm the same weight as Anthony Caligiuri... | ||
| Jc000 |
Nice! Thanks... BTW, you're a fellow Mtn Biker? Or you just happen to have bicycle parts hanging around 'just in case'? | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'm a guy with a mountain bike, but I am no mountain biker. It's just a cheap DS aluminum framed Motiv that I upgraded with an old Rockshox Judy TT fork, nothing special. I mainly use it to get around the manufacturing plant I point and holler at, but sometimes I'll launch off the loading docks for kicks. I should really know better. | ||
| Eshardball |
PM 98S1Lightning. I just bought his reworked S1 shock when he upgraded. He has a friend that rebuilds them at a reasonable price. Made a major difference in handling. I am more than disappointed in the fact that my shock crapped out after less than 14K considering that it is a replacement for the recalled shock | ||
| Rick_a |
I rebuilt my Showa...installed a Gold Valve and moved the reservoir away from the exhaust. Race Tech is the only suspension shop I know of that will do them. I don't think any Showa can be expected to last over 15K. They just don't have enough internal support with the shaft extended and use a small bushing with little bearing surface. The Race Tech'd shock is a lot better than stock but still fades when rode hard...and still doesn't last. | ||
| Eshardball |
So it would seem that the Penske is the way to go. The question is how much? | ||
| Djkaplan |
"...how much?" I paid $500 for mine and think it was worth every penny. There isn't too many times in my life I've had something that can lay claim to being 'best in the world'...the closest I've come is with that used Penske. | ||
| Jc000 |
Have any of you got experience with/opinions on the Works shock? | ||
| Bad_karma |
Jon Not yet have one ordered from American Sport Bike for the S3. Joe | ||
| Snowscum |
Thanks for the info guys! |
