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Rear Shock Needs Help

Tech section strictly for the FJR. Everything from oil changes & suspension setup's to removing sheep hair from hard to reach places on the bike so that your wife never finds out.
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BikerGeek
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Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by BikerGeek »

Sooze and I were all pumped up to knock out the States of Confusion Tour this weekend. We hopped on the bike a bit ago and headed out.

But something did NOT feel right to my butt-chassis dyno. The bike was pogo-ing over every bump. I don't know much, but I know my bike and that wasn't normal at all. Aboot 9 miles out, we stopped at a stoplight in a small town and I just 'bounced' the bike and it bounced right back.

We turned around and headed back to the barn. I checked tire pressures - the back was a little low. Would that be enough for the CT to induce this? Short answer: no. So it's gotta be the shock.

It's a Wilber's that we put on at a Tech Day several years ago. I got it used. I have no idea how many miles were on it when I put it on, but I've put roughly 50K miles on it. So, it's prolly due. I took a look at it from down low - there's some spooge on the bottom of the shock around the shackle. Didn't look like much to me, but I don't make a habit of looking at the bike from that angle. It could be leaky blinker fluid or it could just be road spooge.

The last time we were two-up was at EOM last year. It may have been a little squishy then, but nothing like it is now. I rode to work yesterday and noticed an odd bounce when I hit a bump on an on-ramp. Kinda reminded me of my HD Ultra Classic when I'd push it hard in corners. Again, definitely NOT how the FJR normally handles. I didn't really think anything of it until now.

So I ask for advice. Who would be a good choice to rebuild it? Anyone got a GenIII stock rear shock laying around? If we go the rebuild route, any chance I could get it back and installed in time for EOM? Yes, our EOM is now at risk. If nothing else, though, we can take the drop-top to EOM so we'll at least be there for the parking lot funtivities no matter what.

TIA
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by raYzerman »

Definitely rebuild it.... I suspect you've lost the nitrogen but not the oil (unless splooged). IF so, you've lost damping. IF there's a hydraulic preload adjuster, might have lost oil out of that. Yer spring is yer spring. You may have a Powersports place that does suspensions nearby (ask The Pony?), as most seals are pretty standard, nitrogen comes in a tank, and oil in plastic containers...... IF the shaft needed replacing for reasons of rust or scoring, then they gotta get a Wilbers one (whatever one Wilbers uses).
If you're in deep crap without a shock to use, better talk to me so I can get a Gen3 OEM one there... I know this guy... two actually. You ain't gonna miss EOM. Iff'n I have to come a day early to Casa Geek, I'll just show up and we'll git 'er done. We (I) can drop off the Wilbers at Cogent on the way down.
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by two_wheeled »

My OEM shock is worn out. Where do you guys source your GEN3 OEM shocks from? Cheapest I've found so far is RockyMountainATVMC.
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by BkerChuck »

I just got a Gen 3 shock from Partshark for $404.00
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by jwilly »

Geek I have a GEN3 Shock with about 40k on it. Might get you by for bit if needed. Shoot me a text if you want it and I will ship it to you on Tuesday. Total cost: 2 beers at EOM, Ahh OK 3..
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by LKLD »

raYzerman wrote: Sat Aug 31, 2019 1:25 pm Definitely rebuild it.... I suspect you've lost the nitrogen but not the oil (unless splooged). IF so, you've lost damping. IF there's a hydraulic preload adjuster, might have lost oil out of that. Yer spring is yer spring. You may have a Powersports place that does suspensions nearby (ask The Pony?), as most seals are pretty standard, nitrogen comes in a tank, and oil in plastic containers...... IF the shaft needed replacing for reasons of rust or scoring, then they gotta get a Wilbers one (whatever one Wilbers uses).
If you're in deep crap without a shock to use, better talk to me so I can get a Gen3 OEM one there... I know this guy... two actually. You ain't gonna miss EOM. Iff'n I have to come a day early to Casa Geek, I'll just show up and we'll git 'er done. We (I) can drop off the Wilbers at Cogent on the way down.
jwilly wrote: Sat Aug 31, 2019 9:49 pm Geek I have a GEN3 Shock with about 40k on it. Might get you by for bit if needed. Shoot me a text if you want it and I will ship it to you on Tuesday. Total cost: 2 beers at EOM, Ahh OK 3..
See...this right here is why I feel lucky to have chosen the FJR and this forum.

:bowdown:
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by Hppants »

My stock Gen 3 shock has 50K on it and I can assure you, it's long in the tooth. None the less, it's another offer, all you have to do is tell me where to ship it.
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by BikerGeek »

LKLD wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 7:47 am
See...this right here is why I feel lucky to have chosen the FJR and this forum.
Yep. I'm kinda stunned.

I made arrangements with jwilly - he's got some beers in the bank at EOM. Or whenever. Just because.

Thank you for the offer, 'pants. I truly appreciate it.
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by Powerman »

Geek knows his spooge.
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by BikerGeek »

Powerman wrote: Tue Sep 03, 2019 9:46 pm Geek knows his spooge.
I feel like that should be on a t-shirt... :lol:
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by wheatonFJR »

BikerGeek wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2019 9:03 am
Powerman wrote: Tue Sep 03, 2019 9:46 pm Geek knows his spooge.
I feel like that should be on a t-shirt... :lol:
It might already be. have you looked down?
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by bungie4 »

wheatonFJR wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2019 9:08 am
BikerGeek wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2019 9:03 am
Powerman wrote: Tue Sep 03, 2019 9:46 pm Geek knows his spooge.
I feel like that should be on a t-shirt... :lol:
It might already be. have you looked down?
:lol:
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by jwilly »

BikerGeek wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 5:43 pm I made arrangements with jwilly - he's got some beers in the bank at EOM. Or whenever. Just because.
Turns out UPS won't let you ship a flaming bag of shit so I just sent the shock this time.. :D
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by wheatonFJR »

jwilly wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:13 pm
BikerGeek wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 5:43 pm I made arrangements with jwilly - he's got some beers in the bank at EOM. Or whenever. Just because.
Turns out UPS won't let you ship a flaming bag of shit so I just sent the shock this time.. :D
"Two Men and a Truck" will. Total lack of imagination there Jason.
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Re: Rear Shock Needs Help

Post by Hppants »

jwilly wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2019 2:13 pm
BikerGeek wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 5:43 pm I made arrangements with jwilly - he's got some beers in the bank at EOM. Or whenever. Just because.
Turns out UPS won't let you ship a flaming bag of shit so I just sent the shock this time.. :D
Where's Duane when you need him? 8-)
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