| Author | Message | ||
     Cbig |
I've been going thru this new to me M2 - and I'm ready to do something about what I consider a crappy, harsh suspension. I'm wondering - which is better or is the showa rebuilt/revalved about as good as the works shock? I'm wondering just how much revalving they can really do - the compression on this shock is in what would normally be a rebound thru the shaft for a dirtbike shock. On the opposite side of the shock there's space to do a two speed shim stack. Is that possible with the showa or works shock, but I just don't recognize it? I'm wanting a shock that can handle the sharp bumps like concrete cracks and square edged bumps without pushing it thru to me. Is that possible, or should I just accept a revalve and the works is just a gentler, better valved showa? Make sense? thanks, cb | ||
| Warlizard |
cb- I have not heard of one person who likes the Showa. Even when new-it's average at best. I can't wait until I can replace mine. Personally, I will go w/ either the Penske or the AST. The Works, according to those who have them, is a major improvement. Even the base model w/ be a noticeable upgrade.I have also heard that what the Works is to the Showa, the Penske is to the Works. The Penske is reported to be that good. IMO opinion lose the Showa, and replace it w/ the best alternative your finances allow. Then you could go this route and have a traditional shock; http://www.twinmotorcycles.nl/webshop/artikel.asp? guid=YXHFSC&aid=470&cid=214&s=&a= | ||
| Cbig |
warlizard - thanks - I was hoping to hear from someone that the revalved showa = works! Thus I could save money. I don't want to go the penske route due to the $$. I don't think the front end can take advantage of it - I'm hoping to stop there with some goldvalves and springs.. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
i dont think you are going to find a bad opinion on the works i love mine | ||
| Cbig |
does the works have hi and lo speed compression? | ||
| Jstfrfun |
I just got mine back today! The bill was under 300 dollars and it only took 1 1/2 weeks. I'm sure you could ask the fine people at Aftershocks about re-valving for specific needs, but I'm OK with the stock adjustability. Since I got my X1 at 15K miles I don't think I ever had a good working shock anyway(especially after last year in Buellton)too begin with. I'll tell you more after I get some ride on it and dial it in. | ||
| Cbig |
Thanks - I'm waiting to hear about that - if they can do a semi decent revalve and the sharp bumps like minor pot holes and concrete seams, work better that might be the ticket..Should be able to adjust the shim stack .. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
mine is fully adjustable | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Hey!!!! I had the recall replacement shock (Showa) rebuilt last summer and it made a huge improvement in performance and comfort. Freeway riding is a lot better. Track handling is great. I had not been able to get my knee down at the track on my own bike at the Buell track day (demos I was doing it all afternoon), with the rebuilt shock I was grinding my pucks on my first session of my next track day. So much better. Cost was $275 plus the shipping. Problems, well they didn't tell me everything was good to go, just bolt on and ride, so I had to call and double check about that, rough huh?! Uhhh, softened compression damping 1/8 to 1/4 turn to smoothe out those freeway edges a little more. I had to re-secure the lockring after my track day, it shook loose. So I guess I might want to let them know that, just so they make sure to really crank it down on future rebuilds... One remaining problem is that now I really want my front end redone to match the handling of the back... I think it was good money spent, while I'd LOVE to put a slick exposed spring Penske on my bike, I'd rather keep paying off bills instead of stacking them up. Plus money saved on suspension helps me buy a new bicycle, keep my weight down, which helps have a better handling motorcycle too.  | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Oh yeah, as far as how much re-valving they can do, I don't know... they did not have to replace the stock spring for me, a heavier spring would cost a few bucks more. I was coming in just about 200lbs (195+/-) with full track gear last Aug, so maybe that will help out too... | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'm glad I kept my old shock. At least something can be done. | ||
| Dfbutler |
Littlebuggles, Race Tec gold valves and springs to match your weight will convince you that somebody switched bikes on you and you got the better deal | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Yeah, I'm pretty stoked to get it done. | ||
| Warlizard |
If you really want to fix up the front, these look pretty impressive:http://www.twinmotorcycles.nl/webshop/artikel.asp? guid=YXHFSC&aid=695&cid=170&s=&a= | ||
| Cecil1 |
Littlebuggles Where did you get your shock rebuild? I just noticed fluid around mine so it looks like I'll need this done as well. I'd love a penske but cannot justify that much money. | ||
| Cbig |
I think he went to aftershocks - I notice racetec will do it also. Those who did the forks - did it need any special tools to get the gold valves in? | ||
| Dfbutler |
Cbig, if you do the front, get the springs to match your weight too. You will need help with the new springs, they'll be much stiffer than what came out. If you run into prob;ems, Race Tec customer support will lend a hand | ||
| Cbig |
dfbutler- I was planning on doing the springs as well. I'm kinda concerned I might need a special tool to get the bottom cartridge valve out. I've done dirt bikes before where I just spin the nut on the bottom with a air wrench. Do I need any special tools to hold the thing? Also - were you happy with a revalve on the stock shock or definately go with works? Racetec is close and they say they will do the stock revalve.. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Cecil, pm'd you on that. I couldn't find a local Racetech guy familiar with the Buell shock and they (main office) didn't seem to want me to send it to them, just referred me back to the local guy who I wasn't comfortable with. I'll probably have my forks done locally since they are a easier project. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Hey LB, did you check w Phil@ Aftershocks? We had a discussion on my forks about just this. You may have to wait a bit since the shop is in the middle of a move to a different town...keep an eye on the website. | ||
| Dfbutler |
Cbig, I have the works rear shock. Your best bet is to call RacTec and ask about the install. You can send the shocks to them and they'll do the job for $100 plus parts. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Dave, I have not talked to Aftershocks about my forks, just had the shock done by them last year. I want to have the forks done locally so the bike isn't down for two or three weeks. | ||
| Cbig |
Well, I'm getting ready to do this.. hopefully next week. I need to get a decent stand first to jack up the bike. Seems people are happy enough with racetec in the back as well as the front? I'd kinda like to do the fronts myself but I am unsure if I need any extra tools to either remove the midvalve and rod from the shock (normally I just use an air wrench to pull the bottom bolt/shim stack out - dunno yet what is at the bottom of the M2 forks) Would it be better then to just have Racetec do the whole deal? Still cheaper than a works? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Heads up on that back end, you'll need to keep the weight off of the swingarm, so get a stand that works at the foot pegs, or just put jack stands under the passenger peg brackets, you can carefully rock it up one side at a time - be careful, I dropped mine once this way. Using the stock spring I paid $275 for my rebuild with custom re-valve, so hopefully Racetech will get you done in that range, their gold valve kit is about $100, then you pay for seals oil and labor... | ||
| Cbig |
Thanks - I'm going to try and get a hold of one of those don strollo dealeos - I had one earlier and like a dumb ass I tossed it when I sold my first M2 4 yrs ago or so. Racetec's Ok, I put some of their gold valves in a dr350 and a drz400 I had, and they did the forks and shock on my Husky 610. The gold valve installs I did I was real happy about. Hopefully, this will work well on the M2! Get that suspension done, then worry about the seat (sux - to soft) and I'll have something all day rideable. THen on to the other stuff. (CF air cleaner , pipe) Never ends, does it? chuck |
