R1 vs R6 shock for RZ350

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Ollies930
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R1 vs R6 shock for RZ350

#1 Post by Ollies930 » Fri Aug 15, 2014 3:26 pm

Has anyone ever done any research on what the differences are between the various years of R1 and R6 rear shocks? On a cursory search through the internet, I found references to R6 shocks having stiffer springs than R1 shocks, but 07 and up R1 shocks are supposed to have high and low speed damping adjustments.
Anybody know if any of this is true?

RuZty
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Re: R1 vs R6 shock for RZ350

#2 Post by RuZty » Sat Aug 16, 2014 11:45 am

Not sure about all years but the early R1 shocks had vertical reservoirs that would hit the RZ swingarm. Rates vary somewhat through years and models, linkage ratio matters. A heavier bike can run a lighter spring and still ride the same as a lighter bike with a heavier spring.

subxero
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Re: R1 vs R6 shock for RZ350

#3 Post by subxero » Tue Oct 14, 2014 11:24 am

are they the same length?

for the adjustments just look at some pictures. Typically the rebound adjustment is down at the lower eyelet on the shaft. The compression dampening is on the reservoir junction. Typically a flat head screw in the center of a hex nut. The flat head screw in the center controls low speed compression dampening and the hex nut is either to remove the valve or controls the hi speed dampening. If it has hi speed dampening adjustment, there is often yet another hex nut larger than that one that removes the valve. If you turn the hex nut and you don't feel it click at all, it could be a sign that it is just to remove the valve. Worst case scenario is you loosen it and then you loose all the oil out of the shock and have to get it refilled.

Keep in mind that hi speed and low speed dampening has nothing to do with speed you are traveling and more to do with how sharp/quick of a hit the suspension takes.

I like having both hi and low speed adjustments personally.
Last edited by subxero on Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

waltmil
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Re: R1 vs R6 shock for RZ350

#4 Post by waltmil » Tue Oct 14, 2014 11:50 am

Uh, don't forget there could be some high pressure nitrogen to deal with if you remove the valve. It could come out in quite a rush.
Red/White US '84, Spec II pipes, Y-boot w/K&N, Fox Shock, Mikuni carbs?

subxero
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Re: R1 vs R6 shock for RZ350

#5 Post by subxero » Tue Oct 14, 2014 2:58 pm

^ this for sure, The nitrogen is typically in a bladder which applies pressure to oil chamber. One bad thing about losing the oil out of some of these shocks is that they are not meant to be serviced and a lot of shops won't touch them for liability reasons so you are left to do it yourself which isn't overly complicated but I'm not sure if the R1/R6 shocks have a valve to allow you to easily drain and refill the Nitrogen or not?

sometimes you can install a schrader valve on shocks for this purpose

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