Suspension rebuild/upgrade on a road bike - worthwhile?

[number9]

My '00 VFR800 has about 25k miles and, as far as I can tell, is 100% stock and has never been apart.

On a street bike -- a sport-tourer at that -- how worthwhile is it to send it out to someone like PK? I believe RaceTech make springs for the forks and maybe other bits too, and there are a bunch of options for rear shocks. In fact many people go with a CBR929RR shock (rebuilt) because they're adjustable whereas the stock VFR rear isn't.

Am I pissing my money away, or is this worth doing? I'm a little heavier than your average Japanese test rider too..

[nhbubba]

Suspension, tires and track time are the three things I've never regretted spending money on in the motorcycle world. Proper sized springs and racetech emulators TRANSFORMED my DL650.

I'm a massive tinkerer and have always rebuilt forks myself. It isn't that bad.

Expect your fork oil to look and smell putrid.

[Kurlon]

I'd chime in but bubs nailed it, find someone who's been upset after putting money into their suspension.

[jasnmar]

I might have an elka shock sitting around that may work on the viffer... It's a bit shorter than the f4 stock shock (which if you needed a donor to rebuild from an f4 I might have as well). I never used it on the f4 as it was about 1" to short, even adjusted as far as I was comfortable adjusting it.

The Elka I have supposedly has 2 track days on a rebuild from Traxxion if you are interested. I can't speak for the vfr, but a shock swap on the CBR is about a 15 minute job (not counting finding the tools).

If you are interested I can dig up numbers on the shock.

[number9]

Thanks gents. How hard are forks to do? I've never taken forks apart before but fuck, I had several mid-1990s Ducatis so I know one end of a wrench from the other.

When guys go to GMD Computrack etc., do they give him the whole bike or just take the forks off?

Mrs #9 likes going on the back (of the bike, you perverts) so some adjustability back there (with the suspension, you perverts) would be nice.

[jasnmar]

You seem to be reasonably mechanically inclined.

Forks aren't rocket science. Shocks are rocket science.

My first time rebuilding a set of forks took me about 4 times at assembly to get right (I was also swapping springs, which confused me) My second time (also swapping springs) took me one try.

It isn't all that hard.

[jasnmar]

GMD will do either the whole bike or just the forks / shock. Giving them stuff already taken off will save you some dollars.

[number9]

You seem to be reasonably mechanically inclined.

Forks aren't rocket science. Shocks are rocket science.

My first time rebuilding a set of shocks took me about 4 times at assembly to get right (I was also swapping springs, which confused me) My second time (also swapping springs) took me one try.

It isn't all that hard.

Did you mean rebuilding a set of forks or shocks took you 4 times? I don't think I would bother tinkering with the factory rear shock as there's apparently next to nothing you can do with it. Or so it says on the internet...

Here is the Racetech cattledog for VFRs: RT - Digital Product Search

[jasnmar]

Getting the spacer / preload right took me 4ish times.

First time I mis-understood the directions. I had waaaaaayyyyy to much preload. When I got on the bike the forks didn't compress at all. Took it apart.

Pull (the tops) apart and adjust the spacers. Then I mis-understood the preload adjuster. I'd never had an adjustable suspension and did it wrong. I started with as much adjustable preload as possible and decided the spacers were wrong. Took it apart.

Pull (the tops) apart for new spacers... Now I figure out how the preload works. Took it apart.

Put the spacers from step 2 back in... Now I understand how the preload works. I was right, I just wasn't smart enough to know I was.

Yeah. Shocks require professionals, and are not a DIY job in my opinion.

[nhbubba]

My advice is biased: My DL and SV forks are easy as pie. They are also stone age simple damper rod types. Sucky from the factory, easy to upgrade.
Your VFR has cartridges? Upside down? I have no experience with inverted forks. But really, how bad could it be?

Shocks are another story. Requires special tools and experience to rebuild. Pull it and pay a pro to rebuild. Although that may be throwing good money after bad if it is a crappy non-adjustable OE unit.

I have a Penske on my SV. I dig it.
I have a Hyperpro on my 3rd gen VFR. It is a bit harsh until you wail on the bike, then shines.
I have a Elka that was "custom" valved and sprung for me on my DL. It is the bestest.

[SwiftTone]

PK charged me $125 when I brought him my bike for removal and install the forks and shock.

I think for the time and frustration I would just have a professional do it. The cost of parts is usually higher than labor.

[Paul_E_D]

At 25k the stock stuff is usually smoked. You will thank yourself after doing this!

[breakdirt916]

I'm a noob - but imho - I only find it's worth it when the spring rate and valving changed...I wanna feel it! but I'm so much of a noob, that I can't tell the difference from minor changes...

[jasnmar]

https://plus.google.com/photos/11283...KGTmoTkoP3i5gE

Pic's of the Elka.

If you are interested you could take it and see if it works for you. We can figure out monies later.

[number9]

https://plus.google.com/photos/11283...KGTmoTkoP3i5gE

Pic's of the Elka.

If you are interested you could take it and see if it works for you. We can figure out monies later.

Yeah would you mind seeing if you can track down a model number? I have a 5th gen VFR so most use a 929/954 shock to convert. 6th gen VFRs use a F4i shock so yours might be the right size after all.

[jasnmar]

I'll look, but if I remember correctly there didn't seem to be one... There's some stamp on the thing that doesn't seem to match any Elka model number on earth, but I'll try to look again tonight.

[jasnmar]

Looks like the 929 replacement (the one that Jamie does) requires a "custom extension" be added to the shock. The "unpainted aluminum" bit on the left side of the image below is added by Jamie.




There are some examples of "home made" versions of this as well...
929/954 Shock Install (5th Gen) - Modifications - VFR Discussion

At ~11.25" this will be too short to be a "bolt in" replacement for the VFR, or would significantly impact ride height (with out making some sort of spacer).

I'll still look for a number.

[number9]

Looks like the 929 replacement (the one that Jamie does) requires a "custom extension" be added to the shock. The "unpainted aluminum" bit on the left side of the image below is added by Jamie.




There are some examples of "home made" versions of this as well...
929/954 Shock Install (5th Gen) - Modifications - VFR Discussion

At ~11.25" this will be too short to be a "bolt in" replacement for the VFR, or would significantly impact ride height (with out making some sort of spacer).

I'll still look for a number.

Thanks mate! Yeah, I did notice that about Jamie's option, which saves me having to modify the stock 800 mount. $420 seems a pretty good deal given that it gets you a new spring, new valving, the mount adapter and the shock itself.

[wiggeywackyo]

Just go see Computrack Boston and get it done right.

[jasnmar]

No model number. The closest thing I can find is where it says AL6043, but that doesn't even look like an elka part number.

[nhbubba]

I thought Elka made their shocks custom or semi-custom. I know mine came direct from them.

[jasnmar]

This one did not come directly from Elka... I was told it would fit any of the CBR F? bikes, and technically it will at least fit mine, but would lower the rear ride height by about 1" (even adjusted to it's max length adjustment). I didn't think a lower than stock ride height for a track bike was the best of ideas.

[nhbubba]

Who did it come directly from? I bought mine from someone who "custom builds" them for the DL. Once the dust settled it turns out he just notifies the factory of my specs and it was shipped direct from their factory in canadia.

[jasnmar]

Directly used from flea bay.

[nhbubba]

Right. So the last guy probably..
..crap, I can't remember why I'm arguing with you anymore.

Oh yeah! My point is you may not have any luck finding a part number or any such. I'm not sure Elka has P/N's like Penske or the like.

But anyway.