Stock 1986 VFR750F shock - how's it work?

Just curious and thought I'd ask here.

How does the shock work on the 1986 vfr750? I has the dial with the little tube to the shock that when you turn it changes the compression/dampening of the spring.

Does it use oil? Air? Magic pixie dust?

I see a bunch of shock on eBay without the reservoir but ready the manual see no mention of servicing it or adding oil.... Or magic pixie dust.

Thanks... Just curious.


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Those shocks are non-rebuildable, I did however see a YouTube vid on how to change the seal and oil ,(Requires) calls for atf most people prefer to use 10-15W shock specific fluid. The knob on top controls hydraulic dampening. The shock is primarily held up by a standard spring, the spring can get a little help from the addition of up to 10-12psi of air. This makes the spring feel stronger, designed to work hand in hand with the adjustable dampening.

Most of these shocks are not much good by now nor by today's standard, new oil and seal can bring back much of that factory new feel if the rest of the shock is in good shape.

Lots of info on this Google is your friend.


Regards
db

 

Talk to Jamie Daugherty. He's a member here and owns/runs www.daughertymotorsports.com He knows the VFR very well and can tell you what your options are. His pricing is very reasonable and has a good reputation with the VFRWorld members.

 

You are describing the 83-85 shock. The 86 shock just has hydraulic preload adjustment. No air or dampening adjustments.

 

86 - 87 shocks are very short. Your options for modifying and swapping another shock are very limited.

 

Oops my bad , I was speaking of the '83-85 shock. For some reason I equated the dial and the little tube with the adjuster and air line for the vff model.
It goes without saying that I am ignorant when it comes to the '86-'87 model shock.

 

The "reservoir" and line you see is just the preload mechanism. The shocks have no valve adjustment to them at all.

On top of the spring is a short hydraulic cylinder. Then you have another smaller bore hydraulic cylinder that bolts to the frame and is connected with a hydraulic line. Turning the knob on the smaller cylinder clockwise pushes fluid through the line causing the larger cylinder to expand which compresses the spring adding preload to it and stiffens up the rear suspension.

Maybe you've seen other springs that have a mechanical ring that you rotate and it has a series of steps on it. As you rotate it you compress the spring making it stiffer. The VFR uses the same concept except it's a little more elegant and easier to do.

I weigh about 200 pounds and the stock rear suspension was just too stiff for me. I sent my stock shock assembly off to Jamie Daughetry and he revalved it for me. He uses a valve of his own design along with a custom shim stack and can adjust the valving to whatever rider weight you want. This is the cheapest option and is what I chose due to the stock spring rate feeling pretty close in my opinion. You can also have him swap to a different spring rate if you feel the need.

It came back to me feeling great and I haven't thought about the rear suspension since then.