When restoring/rebuilding, do any of you bother to check this ?

[Huffa]

I noticed it is rarely mentioned that "I had my rear shock oil changed and repressurerized with nitrogen".

It really should be part of a restore or not even a restore job, simply something that should be checked, your machine will certainly or should certainly ride better with it done, that's if you have one where it has the nitro and can be rebuilt.

It's always on my list no matter what machine I have but many just seem satisfied as long as the shock has damping and it goes up and down.

Figured if I pass this by some, they might go out and do so.

It could possibly mean the difference between endoing or not, or winning a drag race.

Same goes with your forks, reguarding just an oil change though.

Just dicking around on machine well no, not all that important but if your an agressive rider and ride long motos, that's where the rear shock will thank you very much and keep performing close to the same performace through out the moto.

Trail riding too ..........once that oil gets so hot the machine will tend to bounce more which translates into not getting traction climbing a rough hill and will give a slighty more bouncy ride, at least that's what I think will occur, on hot days more so too.

[Dirtcrasher]

I think most of us would love to have our shocks serviced. But, at the cost of close to a couple hundred bucks, most people would rather find another EBAY shock for 50$ that isn't leaking.

I always disassemble the front forks on anything I ride because usually no one changes that oil either. Thats a one hour or so job and 8.99$ for the oil. Most of the time I clean the seals and pop them right back in. It's easy and I have all the tools and knowledeg, unlike the rear shock!

Sometime I have to learn to service the rear shock myself because I have access to free nitrogen on my work truck......

[Nightbiker07]

you know that cylinder that attaches to the rear shock and makes it stiffer or softer by turning a dial?
How do you fix it when the dial stops making a difference in the shock stiffness?

[chris200x]

you know that cylinder that attaches to the rear shock and makes it stiffer or softer by turning a dial?
How do you fix it when the dial stops making a difference in the shock stiffness?

Rebuild it!

I'm gonna hafta agree with DC on this one.. I'm guilty of this as well. Replacing is easier and cheaper. heck.. if its beat up ya cover it with a shock cover.

[rally4x4racer]

it costs how much to get them rebuilt / pressurized?

[Huffa]

Rebuild it!

I'm gonna hafta agree with DC on this one.. I'm guilty of this as well. Replacing is easier and cheaper. heck.. if its beat up ya cover it with a shock cover.

Your not getting it Chris, the shock you would buy for 50 bucks most likely has never been recharged or changed with oil either.

He's simply talking about a leaking shock.

Look at it this way, what sense does it make to do all kinds of engine mods when the suspension can't apply it to the ground in the proper manner because the shock is not functioning how it should?

What ever horsepower you gain in mods, really doesn't mean squat if it's wasted bouncing up and down or in the air at times.

I just find it odd that most want to look the other way and not ever service the shock.

I don't think changing the oil in a shock and getting it charged up is a couple 100, more like 125 or so, but I think my manual shows me how to change oil and all I would have to do is take the shock to have it recharged.

Tell ya what guys, I'll call a race tech suspensiopn guy I know and see just how much it is (I could be off with my estimate, it's just a approx. guess) and let you know then.

In the mean time why don't you check you manual and see if it shows how to change the shock oil, I know mine does but I didn't read thru it yet and see if any specialty tools are needed, I will though and post my findings.

I do realize for you Chris it really doesn't matter that much but you start motxing it (hope you go with me sometime?) that procedure could very well save you from a bad crash and that one time it would of paid for itself.

I'll give you a hand changoing the oil if the procedure is beyond you capabilities, that's if your interested at all. Heck, at the momment, I'm not sure if I can do it, will find out though.

[Dirtcrasher]

you know that cylinder that attaches to the rear shock and makes it stiffer or softer by turning a dial?
How do you fix it when the dial stops making a difference in the shock stiffness?

I personally can't feel much of a difference in my suspension when I change the settings. I do notice a big difference when I preload the spring though. I think stock shocks don't offer much adjustment in damping and thats why people buy 800$ ELKA shocks. Which by the way, I would LOVE to own someday....

[Huffa]

I personally can't feel much of a difference in my suspension when I change the settings. I do notice a big difference when I preload the spring though. I think stock shocks don't offer much adjustment in damping and thats why people buy 800$ ELKA shocks. Which by the way, I would LOVE to own someday....

Your shock is 20 years old DC, it may very well just need a oil change and need to be pressurized !

That's unfair to be judging the shock damping when it may be in poor condition reguarding gas/oil to begin with.

[edog]

Those 200X shocks don't have rebuild kits.The liquid 250R has rebuild kits.

I tried to restore one of my old 200X shocks.The seal on the shaft leaked.

I have been thinking of rebuilding my 250R one when it starts leaking.

[Huffa]

The cost is much cheaper then you think DC (cheaper then I said!) and Nightrider they can repair your clickers too, that is if parts are availble for these old shocks.

http://www.atvconnection.com/Departm...PEP-Shocks.cfm

http://www.shock-works.com/atv_shocks.htm

Buy a used shock for 50 and your 1/2 way there to the cost of servicing one, of course more if it needs parts.

[deathman53]

Huffa, has the right idea. Too many people are obsessed with the motor. My friend works at a honda dealer, people who buy 450r's, what is their first purchse??? Pipe, cam, piston, air intake, cdi, but they still ride with the same crappy tires and suspesion. I have beaten many on my 200x, stock motor, supertrapp pipe, 27mm carb, 83/84 250r front suspension, works rear shock, new bearings all around, extended axle and good tires. People don't realize, there is more to the bike than the motor, your suspension plays a huge part.

[edog]

Your shock is 20 years old DC, it may very well just need a oil change and need to be pressurized !

That's unfair to be judging the shock damping when it may be in poor condition reguarding gas/oil to begin with.

Sticking up for old tired shocks everywere......................
















It's shock man.

[Huffa]

Those 200X shocks don't have rebuild kits.The liquid 250R has rebuild kits.

I tried to restore one of my old 200X shocks.The seal on the shaft leaked.

I have been thinking of rebuilding my 250R one when it starts leaking.

Rebuild kits from Honda ?

I would not wait till then, that could be years and the oil that comes from factory is not of high quality, can you imagine how black and beat it must be!

Do it up edog!, I'm doing mine for sure.

[Huffa]

Huffa, has the right idea. Too many people are obsessed with the motor. My friend works at a honda dealer, people who buy 450r's, what is their first purchse??? Pipe, cam, piston, air intake, cdi, but they still ride with the same crappy tires and suspesion. I have beaten many on my 200x, stock motor, supertrapp pipe, 27mm carb, 83/84 250r front suspension, works rear shock, new bearings all around, extended axle and good tires. People don't realize, there is more to the bike than the motor, your suspension plays a huge part.

That's for sure and it is the least talked about thing on this site.

Far better to dial the suspension in 1st then it is the motor. Lot's on here would be faster with a better suspension then motor mods anyway.

[edog]

Huffa, has the right idea. Too many people are obsessed with the motor. My friend works at a honda dealer, people who buy 450r's, what is their first purchse??? Pipe, cam, piston, air intake, cdi, but they still ride with the same crappy tires and suspesion. I have beaten many on my 200x, stock motor, supertrapp pipe, 27mm carb, 83/84 250r front suspension, works rear shock, new bearings all around, extended axle and good tires. People don't realize, there is more to the bike than the motor, your suspension plays a huge part.

Your only as fast as your suspension.You can put all the horsepower into the motor you want.What good is it going to do you when you can't put the power to the ground.

I recently bought new ITP Holeshots HD for my 250r.The old tires were spinning and not getting traction.I swear I have gained an extra 5 horse power just by putting the new tires on.I also messed with the damping on the shock and have noticed a great inprovement in the overall handiling of the machine.