RSV Shock Project - Donar Needed

[GaThumper]

If anyone has a take-off shock from the RSV that they would consider donating, please let me know. It will be analyzed and probably taken apart and I wouldn't expect it to be returned, but we may end up with a good alternative to the Works shock to replace the Yamaha OEM shock on the 2nd gens. It would be good to have another option, right?

 

Anyway, I have a contact who has a suspension shop and he has done some great work building shocks for other bikes (Ducati, KLR650, DR650, SV650, and Honda TransAlp). He is located in North Carolina and is well respected in the road racing and dual sport community. This is a small family business and he rides and races bikes himself. I have one of his "moab" custom shocks on my KLR650 and I love it. Everyone who has one has nothing but praise for the work that he has done giving the 400+ pound pig some manners in the dirt.

 

He can't promise anything, but when I talked to him about my failing shock and the replacement options (oem and Works afaik) we discussed the possability of him coming up with a replacement. He would need to examine an oem shock to determine what he can do and what he would recommend. I believe that if he was able to build a replacement, it would be a good one! There is also a chance he could come up with a modification or re-manufacturing process for the oem shocks. It all depends on him getting a look at the oem shock.

 

Thanks!

James

[SaltyDawg]

What part of NC is he in? If I am not mistaken I still have my shock in the garage at home.

 

At work right now, but will check when I get home. If I can remember.

[Bvinson]

Rick Butler here on the site has one that has already been taken apart. I don't know if he still has it. That was a couple of years back. Shoot him an e-mail.

[GaThumper]

He's in Fletcher NC, about 10 miles south of Ashville.

 

I'll check with Rick and see what he's got. I remember reading his write up about the shock when I was learning about the shock problems.

[SaltyDawg]

If it's not a rush to get it to him, I can drop it off in July at the Asheville meet. Otherwise I can box it up and send it to him.

 

It would be nice if he can do something for us. Although the Works shock works great for me.

[GaThumper]

Quick update.

 

I talked to Rick @ Cogent Dynamics today and the testing and measurement he needs to do is not destructive. He would just take some physical measurements and then put it on the shock dyno for further measurements.

 

I've PM'd SaltyDawg and Rick Butler who both have spare shocks available for testing, so we should have something to send him. I'm waiting to hear the condition of their shocks. The better the condition of the shock being tested, the better the measurements will be. This is something I had not considered, but it makes sense. I guess springs do lose their energy over time? He did say that if the shock has already leaked all it's oil it would NOT prevent him from getting the necessary measurements, but I expect it would be preferable to have an intact shock for testing.

 

If anyone just happened to have a new OEM shock that has not been installed, or a low mile take-off, this would probably be the best scenerio for testing and I'd be glad to pay for Priority Mail back and forth to Cogent Dynamics in NC. He can do his testing in a couple of hours and send the shock right back.

 

I was also thinking more about the failure of the OEM shocks and the Works replacements. I'm not sure if it's just poor design/engineering/construction causing the failures or if the shock is too small/light for the bike? Any thoughts?

 

I know Works takes into consideration your weight, and if you ride two up the passenger weight, and weight of cargo and/or trailering when they spec the replacement. I'm guessing they have different weight springs they can use? and adjust the preload and/or dampening and/or rebound? But as far as I know all the Works replacements use the same body and internals?

 

Thanks for all your help!

James

[SaltyDawg]

I'm guessing they have different weight springs they can use? and adjust the preload and/or dampening and/or rebound? But as far as I know all the Works replacements use the same body and internals?

 

Thanks for all your help!

James

 

No the Works is not the same body and internals. Totally different, in a side by side comparison between the two the Yamaha shock looks like a WWII Jeep and the Works looks like a HUMMER. Big, Beefy, and impressive to look at, hold, and ride on.

 

I have not heard of any Works shocks failing, and if they did you can have them rebuilt for about $100.00. Can't do that with an OEM.

Edited June 11, 2009 by SaltyDawg

[1BigDog]

And the Works shock isnt an air shock.

 

My shock just dumped its oil while sitting all week in the garage. I guess 10 years of hard service was a pretty good run. I have another shock coming from a member who triked his RSV. I just dont have the cash for that Works shock. So, if you need a third shock for testing, I have one.

[GaThumper]

No the Works is not the same body and internals. Totally different, in a side by side comparison between the two the Yamaha shock looks like a WWII Jeep and the Works looks like a HUMMER. Big, Beefy, and impressive to look at, hold, and ride on.

 

I have not heard of any Works shocks failing, and if they did you can have them rebuilt for about $100.00. Can't do that with an OEM.

 

 

I guess that was a little bit confusing, I didn't mean to say that the Works shock has the same body and internals as the OEM. I know they are completely different. I was just guessing that all the RSV Works shocks probably use the same body and internals, just with different weight springs and preload set for each bike based on the customer input. Also, I'm not sure if the Works shock has adjustments for damping or rebound?

 

Thanks,

James

[Eck]

I have a bad shock that someone gave me.

You can have it for the cost of shipment..........

[SaltyDawg]

I guess that was a little bit confusing, I didn't mean to say that the Works shock has the same body and internals as the OEM. I know they are completely different. I was just guessing that all the RSV Works shocks probably use the same body and internals, just with different weight springs and preload set for each bike based on the customer input. Also, I'm not sure if the Works shock has adjustments for damping or rebound?

 

Thanks,

James

 

Yes the Works shock has adjustments for damping and rebound as well as preload if needed. I will try and find my paperwork that came with it and post it. It's possible I still have it in the trunk with the spanner wrench.

[GaThumper]

Well, I talked to Rick yesterday and he has decided he can't help us out with another aftermarket shock option for the Venture. He was afraid the cost would be higher than the Works shock, and he was also concerned about the development, testing, and profitablilty of a shock for the Venture.

 

So, he'll be returning the OEM shock to Wayne and I'll be saving my pennys (literally, I have several quart fruit jars full of coins) and ordering a Works shock for my '01.

 

Thanks Again!

James