Rear shock opinions needed!

My rear shock on the vf500 is blown! it's about 2 inches lower than it used to be. I have the option of buying one from ebay for 35 USD from a bike with 5000 miles on it or a shock from a local parts place with what seems to have a after market spring(red?) on it for 60 USD. Or im I wasting my time with this and should do the cbr shock swap?

 

I wouldn't suggest buying a used OEM shock for a first generation VF. It is most likely just as bad as what you already have. Plus, shipping will stir up the debris that causes the failure in the first place. That means even if it was good before it left (doubtful) its chances of still being good are very slim.

It would be interesting to know more about the shock with the red spring. You never know, it might be a Fox or something. That would be a steal for $60. If it's a Hagon then turn and run.

 

Hey Jamie,

Is there something bad about the Hagon's? Sorry for the de-railment

 

I've got a Hagon and it's fine. Much better than the OEM anyway. They service them too and do a pretty good job IMO.

 

Hagon shocks are very poor quality. Although the company is in the UK I believe they are made in China. I have seen them fail (miserably) after just one season of riding.

 

Good to know! Arent they almost $500 too? Glad I got one of yours in the mail somewhere between here and there.

 

Two things: 1. Listen to Jamie. 2: Gold Valves in the forks.

Yes the CBR upgrade is worth it. I used a Fox twin clicker from an F2 and made my mount at home.

The mount was easy because it just threads on. I used a cut off wheel on my angle grinder to cut the bottom mount off the stock shock, cleaned the hole that's all ready in it up so a 5/8-18 rod would go through it. Cut a piece of the rod to 75mm, lock tighten a nut flush on one end, used the cut off wheel to cut half the nut thickness from the end of the nut and rod. That had to be done so the nut would clear the link with no mods tot he bike. then just stick the threaded rod through the mount, a nut on the other end, lock tight and tighten that nut so the original mount is sandwiched between the two nuts, add another nut to the threaded rod and screw the mount to the shock shaft, adjust the length and tighten the last nut against the shock shaft.

I put my Fox on as a test fit and have ridden it, 1000% improvement. It still has to go to Jamie for the correct spring and to be serviced. The 750 pound spring that was on it, just like Jamie said, is too soft. To get the appropriate rider sag it had to be preloaded to the point here there is no free sag.

After every thing is said and done I'll have about $400 in the Fox after getting it serviced and re sprung and it's a much better shock than Hagon ever thought of being.

If you are just rolling in cash Works Shocks makes 2 directed bolt on shocks but at 800-1000 bucks I personally wouldn't consider them.

btw it took me about 6 months to come up with my Fox but it was worth the wait.

oh yeah, the rod and nuts I used are 316 stainless from McMaster Carr

 

Knife to the heart! I design and produce my own valving parts, RaceTech is my competition! If I installed RT valving the prices for my services would be significantly higher. DMr valving also performs better, another advantage of having control over your own design.

 

man, I didn't even realize you made your own valving. I only have 1 bike with gold valves, the other 3 bikes I'll order from you. I don't know how I missed that :doh:

 

Hagon shocks were made in the UK last time I looked, but it was a few years ago. I had one on my 500 for 5 years, no problems with a couple thousand miles per year. Much better than the old stock one.

As suspension is what makes or destroys most bikes reputations, then I'd go for something new if you can afford it. Nitron/Wilbers/Hyper-Pro etc all make base model shocks with limited adjustments for around $500.

 

No big deal, I think a lot of people have that preception. I'm hoping to roll out some new advertising this year to help clear things up.

 

They are a UK company, but that doesn't mean the products are made there. I've not heard anything for sure, but rumor has it the shocks are made in Asia. They certainly look like it, and have the quality to prove it too.