Rear Shock

[RandyR]

Just an update on this project.

 

They also found, before I left, why the oil had leaked out - a score in the ram under the boot. They explained to me that, with this design, the load spring built inside the shock causes side load and any dirt that gets caught up inside the boot may cause the scoring on the ram.

.

 

Makes me wonder 2 things.

 

1. can (some) problems with the OEM shock be avoided by maintenance, like removing the boot and cleaning, or installing a new boot, or just tightening the old boot ??

 

2. can adding some slightly heavier fork oil or stopleak additive help the situation once a leak is detected?

Edited September 23, 2010 by RandyR

[gunkylump]

Just an update on this project.

 

I dropped off the shock from Ian's bike about two weeks ago to Gabriel. The morning I was there, four Engineers had their hands on that shock. They were very interested.

 

They also found, before I left, why the oil had leaked out - a score in the ram under the boot. They explained to me that, with this design, the load spring built inside the shock causes side load and any dirt that gets caught up inside the boot may cause the scoring on the ram.

 

I also sent them the pictures and the write up from Rick Butler on our shocks.

 

I talked with the Engineer this week to see if he needed any more from me. He stated that he has a guy doing some research on this shock to see what they can come up with. I may have to take my bike down to them so they can do a further study.

 

So far they are looking at three options.

 

I will keep you all posted when I find out anything. I deal with this company on a regular basis and will ask from time to time how they are doing.

 

They may say no, they may say yes we have something.

 

Thanks for your efforts T. J.! Without your initiative, Gabriel probably would never have even considered this.

 

gunk:shock3:

[T.J.]

Makes me wonder 2 things.

 

1. can (some) problems with the OEM shock be avoided by maintenance, like removing the boot and cleaning, or installing a new boot, or just tightening the old boot ??

 

2. can adding some slightly heavier fork oil or stopleak additive help the situation once a leak is detected?

 

From what I had observed from looking at Ian's shock, you cannot add any oil. There is no place to add it. Ian's shock had a lot of scoring in one section but not all were leaks. Only one was deep enough to tear the seal up inside.

 

As far as cleaning goes. The boot will come down for you to clean but that would be a lot of work to get all of the creases cleaned in the boot. Maybe putting a sealant around the top of the boot when the bike is brand new might help. You would have to do it right away.

[ken]

How can you tell when the shocks dead?

[Seaking]

How can you tell when the shocks dead?

 

It starts to have a funny smell after a while.. like most dead things...

 

Cheers

[T.J.]

How can you tell when the shocks dead?

 

 

Chances are the first sign will be a small oil spot under your bike and the bottom of the shock will be covered with oil.

[T.J.]

I received a call from Gabriel today. The engineer told me they are still looking into a new design for our bike. Nothing on the shelf they could use or adapt. He said it would take some time and they do not want to put the load spring on the inside as Yamaha has done. Not much info except they called me and not the other way around.

Have a great day if you want to.

[etcswjoe]

I received a call from Gabriel today. The engineer told me they are still looking into a new design for our bike. Nothing on the shelf they could use or adapt. He said it would take some time and they do not want to put the load spring on the inside as Yamaha has done. Not much info except they called me and not the other way around.

 

Have a great day if you want to.

 

Just wondering if you had heard anything else?

[wes0778]

I received a call from Gabriel today. The engineer told me they are still looking into a new design for our bike. Nothing on the shelf they could use or adapt. He said it would take some time and they do not want to put the load spring on the inside as Yamaha has done. Not much info except they called me and not the other way around.

 

Have a great day if you want to.

 

Just wondering if you had heard anything else?

 

Yup, I been wondering too! If I'm not already in need, I guess I eventually will be in need...

[Mikealiasmike]

I AM in need so lets hope to hear something back soon lol.

[T.J.]

Well, here is the latest on the rear shock from Gabriel.

 

Well, the bad news is that the higher ups cannot make a business case to produce this. Not that there isn’t a huge profit margin to be had but because it is so drastically different than any of our other products that the tooling costs cannot be recovered.

 

Now, on the other hand, I do have the resources here to basically work with you to see if we cannot improve what you have.

 

Let me know the next time you are in the vicinity with the cut-away shock that you had before. I have a guy that we need to discuss this with.

 

We make TAPs (Take-A-Parts) with screw collars that you make for us occasionally. Why couldn’t we turn this into a TAP? Why couldn’t you start doing this as a service to the Yamaha world?

 

As a TAP, we could basically replace the wear components.

 

That was their email to me.

 

I really don't want to get into the shock business so I guess this has come to an end for me.

[etcswjoe]

Well, here is the latest on the rear shock from Gabriel.

 

Well, the bad news is that the higher ups cannot make a business case to produce this. Not that there isn’t a huge profit margin to be had but because it is so drastically different than any of our other products that the tooling costs cannot be recovered.

 

Now, on the other hand, I do have the resources here to basically work with you to see if we cannot improve what you have.

 

Let me know the next time you are in the vicinity with the cut-away shock that you had before. I have a guy that we need to discuss this with.

 

We make TAPs (Take-A-Parts) with screw collars that you make for us occasionally. Why couldn’t we turn this into a TAP? Why couldn’t you start doing this as a service to the Yamaha world?

 

As a TAP, we could basically replace the wear components.

 

That was their email to me.

 

I really don't want to get into the shock business so I guess this has come to an end for me.

 

 

TJ Thanks for all the digging you did now get out and go riding!!

[T.J.]

TJ Thanks for all the digging you did now get out and go riding!!

 

I was going to ride to work this morning but only 36 deg. and a chance of rain. It has been a cold and rainy spring around here. The days have been spotty for riding but I have been.

 

Thanks for the reply.