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Message started by savagebob on 06/26/13 at 21:26:57

Title: quick question about rear shocks
Post by savagebob on 06/26/13 at 21:26:57

Took apart rear shocks to power-coat the chrome black..

Noticed the actual shocks seem pretty slack.. in fact, they don't do anything. Push them down and they don't return.

So in other words they seem had it, what do people do for replacements? Trying to find something local and I could only find these which are NZ$500 :-/

http://www.motozone.co.nz/products/hard-parts/suspension-2/shocks/yss-twin-shock-absorbers.aspx

Seems weird to replace the springs and everything when the shocks are easy removed. Is it normal for them to come with springs?

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/26/13 at 22:15:25

how fast can you close them?

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by savagebob on 06/26/13 at 22:33:29

..pretty fast, I can just stand it up on one end on the ground and push the top with my hand straight down in like, 1 second. Then they don't return.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 06/27/13 at 01:55:24

http://www.cdxetextbook.com/steersusp/susp/shocks/hydshock.html

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by arteacher on 06/27/13 at 04:54:31

Shocks will not return on their own, without the spring. It is the resistance to movement, either in or out, that the shock is needed for, to damp the movement of the suspension (spring).

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by Dave on 06/27/13 at 05:03:53

444F4F464A45445E5F2B0 wrote:

Shocks will not return on their own, without the spring. It is the resistance to movement, either in or out, that the shock is needed for, to damp the movement of the suspension (spring).

The higher end shocks that have Nitrogen chambers in them will return slowly on their own......but the Savage shocks are not charged with Nitrogen.

The Stock Savage shocks do not have much travel.....and are barely a step above a hard tail. I hit a pothole on mine when it was stock and myl whole spine compressed and I got that electrical shock feeling in my neck. I rode MMRanches bike and he has taller shocks on it....and it rode really smooth....it was a great ride.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by LANCER on 06/27/13 at 05:39:17

Stock shocks suck.
I replace them with 12 1/2" Progressives. I like the extra height and travel they have.
I have a set of 412's for the stock S40, and 418's on REX and the 1200 Sporty. The 412's are cushier and the 418's handle better during aggressive riding.
The better quality shock will save your butt and your spine, and handle much better on the road.

I use the Progressive shocks because they are a good shock, they are generally plentiful when searching on ebay and with a little patience you can get what you want for a decent price.
Of course, you can always pay retail and get them quickly if you want to go that route, but you pay more for that service.

There are other good shocks out there that will work well on this bike, but being an ebay junky I go for the best deal available and there seems to be more Progressive's available there.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by arteacher on 06/27/13 at 05:47:55

I put 11" 412 Progressives on mine. I am 250 lbs, and still get occasional bottoming, with them set at level 3.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by verslagen1 on 06/27/13 at 07:16:05

stock sportster shocks are a little light for us hefty folk.
you'll find you'll need the stiffest preload.
look for springs for the next heavier range... perfect.
I got 412's with the "1919" spring and have never touched them since.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by savagebob on 06/27/13 at 12:20:03

Cheers guys, so my shocks aren't necessarily worn out, but are just crap.

Being a bobber build I don't really want to raise the rear height

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by paulmarshall on 06/27/13 at 12:39:02

I use YSS shocks.
Cant remember what I paid.
I have thrown the box away. But I found a poor quality pic of the box and it states LS650.
Same hight but smoother ride.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by engineer on 06/27/13 at 12:56:22

Even if you don't want longer shocks you would still benefit by using higher quality shocks like Progressives with stiffer springs as Versy mentioned so you don't bottom out as often. And you can get them in black. Progressive publishes good spec sheets and catalogues.

If I were you I would buy shocks that are slightly longer if you really want to enjoy the ride and preserve you back for the future.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by markbacon on 06/27/13 at 17:48:53

Hagons are cheaper here (in NZ) than progressives or YSS. I went for 31 cm, but they do have a standard-ish length option for the savage. You won't see it listed on NZ sites, but the importer can assemble it. Ikon in aus also have a standard length option for the savage.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by rodeoclown on 06/28/13 at 03:47:31

Can I just buy any 412-4233C off Ebay or do they need to be made for Suzuki.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by engineer on 06/28/13 at 14:11:48

I checked a catalog and it looks like the 412-4233c is an 11" long chrome shock with a spring rate of 115/155 lbs per inch of travel. The Progressive shocks I have seen are all narrow at the ends like the Suzuki and come with rubber bushings and various sizes of hard bushings for the studs that they mount on.

Nobody wants to say the 412-4233c shocks would be OK and then see you spend your money to get something that doesn't fit right or feel right. The spring rate you have selected is what the Suzuki 800 Intruder uses and many people like it, others say it is soft. Your weight will have some effect.

Buying from Ebay the seller might not have the bushing size you want but you could probably order some from Progressive or make some out of tubing.

Short answer is I think it would be OK but this post will at least bump up your post and maybe someone who has actually fitted these Progressives on their bike will see it and give you a better opinion.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by LANCER on 06/28/13 at 15:16:53

You can order the METRIC inserts for Progressive shocks; maybe $10-12, which will fit the Savage/S40.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by Gyrobob on 06/28/13 at 17:50:25

I have four stock shocks left over from the Double RYCA build.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by arteacher on 06/29/13 at 08:24:25

313338333A333F25560 wrote:

I have these exact shocks on mine. I weigh 250 lb. I have mine set at level 3. They are far superior to the stock shocks. They feel stiffer to me but bottom out far less than stock. On bad roads the rear wheel stays in contact better than with the stock ones. Because they are progressive, when they do bottom out it is far gentler than when the stock ones do.
Hope this helps.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by wearsabrowncoat on 06/29/13 at 12:43:04

How does one install the 12.5" shocks? With the bike on a stand and the stock shocks off I need to have the 12.5" stocks slightly compressed to get them on.

Local parts wharehouse rents out a spring compressor for cars but it is too big for my needs.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by Dave on 06/29/13 at 13:02:08

203236252436352538203934383623570 wrote:

You take off both stock shocks, the swing arm drops down....and you install the longer shocks!

Easy Peasy!

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by wearsabrowncoat on 06/29/13 at 14:15:12

I did that and it doesn't drop down enough. They measure 12.5" eye to eye. What am I missing?

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by paulmarshall on 06/29/13 at 14:17:43

2D3F3B28293B3828352D3439353B2E5A0 wrote:

I did that and it doesn't drop down enough. They measure 12.5" eye to eye. What am I missing?

Sounds like your swingarm bearings are sticking. Push it down with your hand.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by wearsabrowncoat on 06/29/13 at 18:00:50

Put it back on the stand and pulled the stock shocks. Swing arm is dropping and the license plate on my BCB kit is hitting the exhaust. I ended up pulling the exhaust installing the 12.5" shocks. Then I took it off the stand in hopes the weight would compress the new shocks enough so the geometry would allow the exhaust to go back on without interfering with the license plate bracket. Still a no go so back with the stock shocks and a new search for heavy duty shocks in a stock length.

By the way. I have some nice 12.5" shocks for sale.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by ToesNose on 06/30/13 at 04:47:41

Since we're on shocks,, I know that WD has suggested Intruder 800/VS800 shocks as direct replacement shocks with improvement in handling for more weight on the LS650. I'm only 155Lbs. so the stock shocks are fine for me, but I love the look of solid cased shocks and was wondering if Marauder/VZ800 shocks would fit our LS650? 8-) I've tried to find specs for them as to the mounting hole size and offset measurements since in close up pics they look wider with thicker mounting points, but with no luck.

http://en.kadusa.com/files/foto04.jpg

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by Dave on 06/30/13 at 05:05:57

3A282C3F3E2C2F3F223A232E222C394D0 wrote:

Move your license plate to the other side. Most of them are on that side anyhow. You might need a different plate mount.....but the better ride is worth changing things.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by wearsabrowncoat on 06/30/13 at 13:57:51

If I had a stock ride I would but the Blue Collar kit doesn't give me the option. I'll be looking for an 11" inch set of stocks now.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by savagebob on 06/30/13 at 16:48:51

stock savage shocks are 10.5" aren't they?

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by WD on 06/30/13 at 17:08:23

Toes, VZ is a VS variant, they'll work. Same sized mounting studs.

Started working on mine again today, if I can't get the rear fender gap right, it's going rigid, bad back be f'd. Rear fender is sitting too high and too far rearward with the 800 Intruder shocks on mine. How it would look with a stock fender... no idea, mine went to the melt yard 8 years ago in favor of a full fender. The dork-mobile factory tail light on the Savage and 800 Intruder ruins the lines, they should have run a VS1400 under tail style cat eye taillight.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by paulmarshall on 06/30/13 at 17:11:43

2B392E393F3D3A373A580 wrote:

stock savage shocks are 10.5" aren't they?

Yes that sounds about right.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by ToesNose on 07/01/13 at 04:32:13

Thanks for the 411 WD, I think the solid looking shocks will look cool. Also I agree that the stock toaster tail light is out of place, a cat's eye was one of the first things I did when I got my scoot.

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/bcrx2/IMG_3846.jpg

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by Dave on 07/01/13 at 04:39:21

25373320213330203D253C313D3326520 wrote:

If I had a stock ride I would but the Blue Collar kit doesn't give me the option. I'll be looking for an 11" inch set of stocks now.

The Blue Collar website shows a rear mounted tail light option. However if that is not the look you want I understand.

With a little work you could also change your plate to the other side...but it would require some fabrication.

Title: Re: quick question about rear shocks
Post by wearsabrowncoat on 07/02/13 at 05:29:18

Yes, it comes down to the look for relocating the tail light and I was also disappointed with the look the tall shocks gave the bobber. Made the back tire look too small. Going to be looking for a set of progressives in 11".