| Author | Message | ||
     Desertfox |
So, my original style rear shock just died. It was one of the early showas with the skinny tail end. http://www.doncasto.net/Showaleaker.JPG Link to a picture. I was wondering about a couple of things. 1. Do the stock style shocks die off from people over-loading them or just a bad design? (if it's from over-load I'll buy an original style replacement as I only weigh 135lbs) 2. If the consensus is that all original style showas are crap, is there anything cheaper than the Works or Penske shocks? Maybe something that allows a push style shock to be used? It seems ridiculous to have to pay so much for a shock when I don't plan to race... (of course, I WILL if I HAVE to because I love my buell  ) | ||
| Two_seasons |
i've got one that leaks at the reservoir front seal---10,193 miles on the clock. Looking to replace with another 14.7". i've never (and this is bike # 16) had a rear shock leak. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Tuber shocks are mounted to the engine which is always rattling around due to the rubber mountings. This is what I'm told is what kills them faster than anything. | ||
| Rick_a |
These shocks also have the least amount of stability when they are under the most load due to the extension design. That, if anything, is why the seals don't last as long as they should. Two_seasons, Race Tech and others have reservoir seals. That's an easy fix. The hard part is finding someone to recharge the nitrogen. My shock has 28,000 miles on it and has blown twice. Number three should be happening anytime now. | ||
| Hootowl |
I believe that the stock shocks are push-type shocks used in a pull application, which is why they don't hang out that long. I can't remember where I read that, but it was probably here. Someone (Penske?) made a bracket that allowed the use of a push type shock. It was more expensive than the Penske or Works pull shocks. Looked neat though. | ||
| Desertfox |
Rick_a, are you saying that I may only need to replace the oil in the shock and put on a new seal? I'm not sure I fully understood your post. | ||
| Ratbuell |
No. The shocks are charged with oil...and pressurized nitrogen gas. Find a speed shop nearby, they should be able to take care of you. Hell, even Costco and WalMart are filling auto tires with nitro now...just a matter of whether they can get the right pressure in there! | ||
| Babired |
My X1 shock started to leak too. I have the original with 36,000 miles on it. Last time I pulled the X1 into the garage I noticed a quarter sized drop of oil under the bike and felt the seal with my finger and there it was! I got the 14.7 used shock from another Bad web rider and I'm looking a the recall mount kit on e-bay but I'm not sure if it is the right part. Plan is to put the 14.7 on and have the other one rebuilt by Race Tech E-bay has tons of tuber shocks listed now I saw a 16 inch shock listed today for 59.00 | ||
| Desertfox |
I'm thinking about scooping up that 16 incher as it would be a direct replacement for mine. The only issue is that one has 13000 miles on it, and that's exactly when mine started leaking... Ratbuell, are you saying that I could probably just find a shop with the equipment to refill the oil and gas in the shock and I'd be set? It sounds too good to be true. Don't these old Showas need specific tools or something? (I remember the phrase non-user-serviceable) | ||
| Hootowl |
You'd need to replace the seals first. While they're not officially rebuildable, folks have had them rebuilt. Some good info in this thread... http://badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/1 53702.html?1235769632 | ||
| Desertfox |
It looks super involved, but I found a thread in which Oldog and Benm2 disassemble and rebuild the stock shocks. Looks like the shorter shock, but I could maybe follow these procedures... Just a matter of using my parents garage Here's a link, in case anyone else needs it. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/452222.html?1240017976#POST1433113 | ||
| Babired |
that's a good thread! | ||
| Babired |
Desertfox http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10-29-1995-2002-BUE LL-Showa-16-5-rear-shock-absorber-_W0QQcmdZViewIte mQQhashZitem5ade23bb31QQitemZ390273940273QQptZMoto rcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories | ||
| Ducxl |
What're we paying for a Penske and who sells them? My stocker is still ok but i'm ditching it.I thought it was 14.5 but i guess it's 14.7 on the '99 X1. I found a Penske shock and fork revalve kit from G.M.D Computrack for $1300(fork kit installed) | ||
| Littlebuggles |
A.S.B. sells the Penskes, just check their site for pricing. $1100 for top end, $8-900 for a little more basic if I remember right. It's been a while since I thought about getting one. | ||
| Desertfox |
I think for now, I'm going to save for a while and store the bike for a month or so. If I can save the money for a superior shock, I'll get one. If not, I'll try to get a like-new stock style shock. I'm sure my patience will be rewarded in the end... So cliche. | ||
| Ducxl |
You can have my old shock. I paid $1470 today for a Penske shock AND a Penske fork "kit" (the kit installed). The deal runs out today.Another project consumes my time so the shock won't install for a month or so  | ||
| 2kx1 |
What are you doing to that 996? | ||
| Ducxl |
The 996.SIMPLE clean up/wash.I'd intended to replace swingarm and headstock bearings but they're LIKE NEW.I did the X1 a few years ago and found rusty bearings  .I'll replace oil seals and repack. Also got a matching Braketech Axis(iron) rear rotor,have Braketech AXIS ceramics on front.A new set of cam belts too.Bike is already "built" and needs only basic maint. From back in '06  I'll have a good used X1 tuber shock available soon | ||
| Ducxl |
How do you guys who've converted to a Penske routed the remote reservoir hose? Over or under the voltage regulator?  Not behind it,that'll lead to major surgery? Face down.Not face up right?  Anybody need a good used shock?  | ||
| Blks1l |
I mounted my Penske with the 90 fitting face down but I tightened it more to face to the LH side. My regulator is still mounted in the back so I can't help you there. | ||
| Foximus |
hot | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Mount the elbow up, that way it's protected from rocks, curbs, etc. | ||
| Ratbuell |
90 facing down. Hose running between exhaust hangar bracket and VR, zip-tied to exhaust hangar. I guess that makes it "under" the VR, and up between the exhaust bracket and VR.  Reservoir mounted to frame downtube, just above the heim joint. I put a keyring ring in the adjuster nut (mine has just a hex with a hole in each flat), so I could have a "handle" for on-the-fly adjustment.  | ||
| Desertfox |
I did manage to save up some money for a Works shock. I'm really looking forward to it! I'm still riding my X1 to work because it's just a couple of miles away over smooth roads. Without the dampening, the bike is just no fun around corners though. |
