Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

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freeflyer1
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Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#1 Post by freeflyer1 » Wed Apr 02, 2014 3:46 pm

Hi, I have an '84 that I'd like to convert the rear shock. I was thinking about picking one up on Ebay. Does anyone know the easiest and best solution? I was hoping to do a swap out out with very little, if any, modifications. I've read the R6 works. Any specific years? I'd also like to keep my stock swingarm. Thank you for any future advice.

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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#2 Post by hondaror » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:16 pm

I've been reading about this, '99-'02.
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#3 Post by silverstrom » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:30 pm

John at Economy Cycle sells the shock with the required bushings for $89.99. He also has the CBR600RR shock. That is the easiest, and likely cheapest, way to do it.

http://www.economycycle.com/servlet/the ... Categories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The mod is easy and is documented online. When I did my R6 conversion I took a lot of pix and have them on file should you need them.

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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#4 Post by JonW » Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:20 pm

Simple to do...

http://2smoked.com/R6_shock_in_a_Yamaha ... _YPVS.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Don T.
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#5 Post by Don T. » Thu Apr 03, 2014 12:29 am

Of the two shock conversions, does one have any damping or load advantages over the other? All other things being equal, I would think not having to modify anything in a way it can't be readily reversed is well worth the $10 difference in price( if the performance is comparable).
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#6 Post by pez » Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:54 am

I run a cbr f4i rear shock. Some people complain that it's too hard but I have no issues. Good bang for buck.

Fitment is just different bushes & clamping the remote res to the frame. No cutting or permanent changes.
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#7 Post by freeflyer1 » Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:14 am

Thank's for the replies. I read up on it, and looks pretty straightforward. Just ordered a '99 R6 shock off Ebay for 37 bucks shipped. Ordered the Bushings from Econonmy cycle. So for 50 bucks and labor, looks like a great Mod.
I've read that there are some Issues with the height causing a problem with the side stand. Anyone have any comments on that?
Does anyone know what has to be removed to get at shock? Can I get away with just removing back wheel and fender? Thanks again for the info, it was, and is greatly appreciated!

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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#8 Post by Don T. » Sat May 31, 2014 8:12 pm

pez wrote:I run a cbr f4i rear shock. Some people complain that it's too hard but I have no issues. Good bang for buck.

Fitment is just different bushes & clamping the remote res to the frame. No cutting or permanent changes.
I really like the idea of this for my `87, as I don't want to change anything on it that I can't return to stock by simply swapping the parts back. My `85 is already too far beyond that point to worry about, so it'll likely end up with an R6 shock conversion eventually.

You mention that the CBR600/F4 shock is just fine for you- not too stiff. If you don't mind my asking, how heavy are you? All around size would be helpful, as I'm trying to decide if I should do this to the `87.

I'm currently way over my prime weight (6'2", 265 lbs.) and don't believe that I'm going to shake it off this time around as easily as I've done in the past after a long layoff from riding. I generally feel pretty good around 215 lbs., so I need to get the suspension sorted to allow me to ride now while I try and get back down to my fighting weight. The bike was a bit soft for me when I was last on the road with it at around 245, so add my extra pounds and a 35-40 lb. backpack (my portable office) and I'm pushing 300 lbs. when I ride to work. :smt009
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#9 Post by Consciousness » Sat Jun 14, 2014 3:46 am

I used a Fox Twin clicker from a CBR400RR, Fox will still rebuild this shock for around $60.
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#10 Post by T.RexRacing » Sat Jun 14, 2014 11:10 am

Here's a Fox Twin Clicker for ya.
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#11 Post by pushstartrearset » Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:29 am

The only thing bad w/ the cbr shock is it raises the rear ride height quite a bit. So much so, you can just easily roll it on the center stand w/o much effort. The other possible down side is the shifting of weight to the front. Would think this quickens the steering, but maybe more likely to tuck the front...just don't know.

if the CBR400RR is the same length as stock, I would use that! Probably need a rebuild if you buy the rusty ones i just saw on ebay (UK rainy!).
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#12 Post by Consciousness » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:59 pm

Late post but just fyi the Twin Clicker from the CBR400RR is exactly 290mm between mounting holes same as the stock RZ shock.
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#13 Post by Grant » Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:15 am

The Honda CBR600 F4I is 310mm between centres and the spring rate is 13kg/mm.
The standard RZ shock is 290mm and the spring rate is 10.5 kg/mm.
The bike is fully topped out on the F4I shock at rest, no static sag at all.
I have fitted a 10.5 kg/mm spring and had the it re-valved to suit.
I have not been able to get the bike to handle properly at all.
pushstartrearset is absolutley right the F4I shock is too long and causes the front to tuck.
It has tucked on the track and I have crashed.
It sounds like a good idea, looks good in the workshop.
Just don't ride it, it is wrong.
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#14 Post by JonW » Mon Jul 07, 2014 9:29 am

Damn, with Grants news and Mikes issues with his R6 shock (tho not everyone has the problem it seems), its sounding more and more like people will have to stump up their cash and be forced to buy aftermarket shocks designed for the RZ.

Ok, yes we know that was always going to be best, but sadly they are not what anyone would call cheap :/
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Re: Easiest Rear rear shock replacement?

#15 Post by mike YPVS » Mon Jul 07, 2014 6:57 pm

mmmmmm! as the R6 spring is, as we know approx 9.3 Which I found soft, and the CBR600 is hard at 13. My estimated spring rate that I wanted to fit to the R6 shock of about 12.3 would have been about right, well for me anyway. By the way, the suspension guy told me that if a 12.3ish spring had actually been available for the R6 shock it would more than likely overpower the internal damping so it would need re-valving. The cost would have been spiraling out of control.

Get a shock made for the bike at any cost! it's safer, as Grant as found out the hard way. Tuning and pipes may make it faster, but suspension and brakes help keep you alive.

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