I've been putting money aside for more then one year to buy the rear RPM shock for my bike.
Out of stock... :-(((((((((((((((
Don't know what to do but wait.
Alain
i had Penske build me a twin-clicker in 2weeks, same price
Alain, did you get a ETA from RPM?
Wrote to RPM, Robert told me the company building the shocks were waiting for parts and had no ETA.
In this situation I would usually turn around and buy elsewere but the reviews on this shock are so good.
There is not much to do but to wait.
Wow with customer service like that how do they stay in business? How can there suppliers not give an ETA! If you already had that shock and a part failed that's effectively your bike off the road with no idea when it will be fixed! If it was me I would take the advice of others and spend your hard earned money with a company like Penske who will custom build a shock for you. But as said that's only my opinion :smile: Russ
The Good options for the FJ are:-
1. RPM (obviously)
2. Penske (similar in price and performance)
3. Hagon (based in UK - cheaper, but I don't know about quality - I have this on my FJ11, I like it)
There may be other option, but I don't know them.
Mark
You've waited this long. A little while longer is going to hurt too bad.
Get the best. Wait for RPM
www.epmperf.com (http://www.epmperf.com)
These guys will build or rebuild any shock.
Jeff
Quote from: BikeryJeff on May 01, 2015, 01:48:54 PM
www.epmperf.com (http://www.epmperf.com)
These guys will build or rebuild any shock.
Jeff
The OEM shock was good 30 years ago, why rebuild it? Our friend is intending to upgrade. Many shocks are way better than OEM. I cannot vouch for them as I went from a sacked out old OEM shock to the RPM shock. The difference between them is Night and Day. My last ride was a pleasant surprise to me. I found my Chicken Strips reduced by half, I did not feel that I was riding any harder or faster than my normal rate. Having a better shock than OEM allowed this new comfort zone to happen with no intentional input from me. I am not saying not to rebuild the OEM shock. Just consider the cost to benefit ratio. How much to rebuild? How much to upgrade.
FYI, it seems that you have helped bust a myth that the OEM FJ shock cannot be rebuilt. I think there is also a convict scum outfit that also rebuilds the FJ shock... :bomb:
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 01, 2015, 02:37:56 PM
The OEM shock was good 30 years ago.....
Really? :nea:
The early FJ shock combination preload and dampening adjuster was kinda cool...but the oem shock itself sucked.
I still maintain that the single most significant improvment you should make to your FJ is to throw away that oem shock. #1 on my mod list.
In all fairness I have not tried the RPM shock. All reports I have heard are glowing...except for the lack of height adjustment (tactical error)
However I have tried several Penske shocks and they are good shocks.
The double clicker Penske (rebound/compression) has 2 main advantages over the RPM shock and they both have to do with adjust-ability.
1) It is nice to be able adjust the compression on the fly...soft for the slab, stiffer for the twisties. Reach down and turn the knob.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/49_13_12_09_8_15_34.jpeg)
2) it is height adjustable, needed for the '84-87 FJ's that don't have dogbone linkage. Raising that back end (more rake) loads the front tire, improves handling.
The triple clicker Penske (high speed/low speed compression and rebound) is a bit nicer. I have one on my '84
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 01, 2015, 02:37:56 PM
The OEM shock was good 30 years ago, why rebuild it?
Probably because "The rebuild service is priced between $ 95.00 and $ 125.00". Given that the next cheapest option for a shock with new innards is Hagon for $400, that seems attractive.
Is Hagon in the UK?
Pretty sure that Hagon is a UK company.
They are, I'm not sure but I think they might've got all the tooling or took over from Girling shocks. Either way, their not a bad shock and they have distributors all over the world.
http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/common/pagedetail.aspx?PageCode=distributors (http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/common/pagedetail.aspx?PageCode=distributors)
Where in this gamut of shocks, new, rebuilt, etc. does the Honda F4 shock get placed, for comparing dollars to dollars in terms of ride improvement?
Also if there is a consensus that the F4 shock is a viable way to go, how do you shop for those? Every conversion I've seen is using someone else's used (i.e. unknown) surplus part.
My application is a 1984 FJ1100 and I am probably 250 lb. Moderate rider. Thanks.
The spring controls the suspension and the shock controls the spring.
So the first question to ask is: Based on my weight and riding style, what spring rate do I need?
Over the years in dealing with the rear suspension of our FJ's we have learned the answer: You will need a 1100lb/in. spring (or 1200lb spring riding with a passenger and luggage)
Next question: Based on needing a 1100lb spring to control my suspension, what shock can I get that can be valved to control a 1100 lb spring?
Can the Honda F4 shock be revalved to control a 1100 or 1200lb spring?
Quote from: Arnie on May 01, 2015, 11:48:23 PM
Pretty sure that Hagon is a UK company.
Yep hagon is a uk company ..good shocks ..I have one on my gpx 750 that I put on in 2000 started leaking 2yrs ago so sent it away for to get rebuilt ..thinking they would jus replace the seal and give it a clean up ..but no they gave it a complete new body/spring and collar they only used my original bottom shock mount .. !!! not bad for £100 .. got one on my 3xw and it does the job just fine ... :i_am_so_happy:
Quote from: Charlie-brm on May 04, 2015, 10:57:48 PM
Where in this gamut of shocks, new, rebuilt, etc. does the Honda F4 shock get placed, for comparing dollars to dollars in terms of ride improvement?
Also if there is a consensus that the F4 shock is a viable way to go, how do you shop for those? Every conversion I've seen is using someone else's used (i.e. unknown) surplus part.
My application is a 1984 FJ1100 and I am probably 250 lb. Moderate rider. Thanks.
I ran a business for several years rebuilding, revalving and tuning motorcycle suspension. Valving and construction wise the F4 and F4i shocks are a slight upgrade over stock FJ parts and do offer some adjustability. Unfortunately I found in the past that the stock valving was barely adequate for the Honda it came on. I am not sure what spring was stock on the F4i (correction, I checked my records and it is appx 800in/lb) and is far too light for your application.
In the least you would be looking at a spring upgrade ($100+ install) and even then you would be running a 10+ year old shock with unknown history.
Quote from: Russfjr1 on May 01, 2015, 04:52:47 AM
Wow with customer service like that how do they stay in business? How can there suppliers not give an ETA! If you already had that shock and a part failed that's effectively your bike off the road with no idea when it will be fixed! If it was me I would take the advice of others and spend your hard earned money with a company like Penske who will custom build a shock for you. But as said that's only my opinion :smile: Russ
The supplier, Ricor has had issues meeting demand for a while. They are a small operation and in several market segments they are extremely popular. The shocks that they are building for RPM are a very nice replacement for the stock shock and a good option when available but as you can imagine they are not selling in huge numbers.
Quote from: delarbreavous on May 01, 2015, 03:12:23 AM
Wrote to RPM, Robert told me the company building the shocks were waiting for parts and had no ETA.
In this situation I would usually turn around and buy elsewere but the reviews on this shock are so good.
There is not much to do but to wait.
If the RPM is what you want I would wait for it, but as others have stated you can get a Penske double for similar money which is more adjustable to boot.
Another option would be a Penske 8900E series which offers similar performance to the RPM, and is comparable in features. Both are emulsion shocks are custom built for your bike.
The RPM offers "inertial damping" with very sophisticated valve system but limited adjustability
The Penske offers
Adjustable rebound
Adjustable shock length
Can be upgraded at a later date to a double or triple clicker non emulsion shock
Last time I ordered an 8900E I believe thy retailed for around $700.00
Quote from: the fan on May 05, 2015, 05:54:09 PM
Quote from: Charlie-brm on May 04, 2015, 10:57:48 PM
Where in this gamut of shocks, new, rebuilt, etc. does the Honda F4 shock get placed, for comparing dollars to dollars in terms of ride improvement?
Also if there is a consensus that the F4 shock is a viable way to go, how do you shop for those? Every conversion I've seen is using someone else's used (i.e. unknown) surplus part.
My application is a 1984 FJ1100 and I am probably 250 lb. Moderate rider. Thanks.
I ran a business for several years rebuilding, revalving and tuning motorcycle suspension. Valving and construction wise the F4 and F4i shocks are a slight upgrade over stock FJ parts and do offer some adjustability. Unfortunately I found in the past that the stock valving was barely adequate for the Honda it came on. I am not sure what spring was stock on the F4i (correction, I checked my records and it is appx 800in/lb) and is far too light for your application.
In the least you would be looking at a spring upgrade ($100+ install) and even then you would be running a 10+ year old shock with unknown history.
Thanks. I have seen it come up once in a while as an easy modification but it doesn't sound like the way I want to go.
Rpm has two models of shocks, one for 84 to 88 and one for 91 to 95.
I have a 1988 3cv shock and it is clearly not the same model as the 84 to 88 showed on the rpm site.
I tried to use the bike bandit site to compare parts # and see what model to use but they don't have any numbers for the rear shock. I know by experience that my 88 is a copy and paste version of the 1989 US bike. So my question is, will a 91 to 95 rpm rear shock fit on my 1988 3cv?
Give Randy a call. Then you'll know.
I'm sure he can give you any dimention you need to compare with your current shock so you'll get the version that will fit your bike.
Quote from: delarbreavous on May 11, 2015, 09:33:17 PM
Rpm has two models of shocks, one for 84 to 88 and one for 91 to 95.
I have a 1988 3cv shock and it is clearly not the same model as the 84 to 88 showed on the rpm site.
I tried to use the bike bandit site to compare parts # and see what model to use but they don't have any numbers for the rear shock. I know by experience that my 88 is a copy and paste version of the 1989 US bike. So my question is, will a 91 to 95 rpm rear shock fit on my 1988 3cv?
Short answer is no they are slightly different. Some of the difference is in the width of the lower shock mount. The 88-90 uses a different relay arm. The 91 and newer relay arm has a different dimension (width) where the shock bolts to. Also the upper mount is different in dimension on the frame. 91 and newer rear shock is offset slightly, I think to make room for ABS stuff. Not a player with any aftermarket shock, but the 91 and newer stock FJ shock had a different spring rate. Plug and play you need a 88/89-1990 shock for those years.
George
Went on the Penske site. Turns out they have 4 categories for fj shocks. 85-87, 88-89, 90 and 91-93.
RPM has two...
I'll have to contact randy.
Alain
Quote from: Russfjr1 on May 01, 2015, 04:52:47 AM
Wow with customer service like that how do they stay in business?
Supplier issues appear to be common with many parts dealers, particularly with low-volume production items, such as replacement parts specific to FJs. RPM's customer service is nothing short of exceptional, but I agree that the supplier should at least provide a delivery date.
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 01, 2015, 02:37:56 PM
Quote from: BikeryJeff on May 01, 2015, 01:48:54 PM
www.epmperf.com (http://www.epmperf.com)
These guys will build or rebuild any shock.
Jeff
The OEM shock was good 30 years ago, why rebuild it? Our friend is intending to upgrade. Many shocks are way better than OEM. I cannot vouch for them as I went from a sacked out old OEM shock to the RPM shock. The difference between them is Night and Day. My last ride was a pleasant surprise to me. I found my Chicken Strips reduced by half, I did not feel that I was riding any harder or faster than my normal rate. Having a better shock than OEM allowed this new comfort zone to happen with no intentional input from me. I am not saying not to rebuild the OEM shock. Just consider the cost to benefit ratio. How much to rebuild? How much to upgrade.
FYI, it seems that you have helped bust a myth that the OEM FJ shock cannot be rebuilt. I think there is also a convict scum outfit that also rebuilds the FJ shock... :bomb:
Mr FJ Monkey on the brain made me curious on the rebuild so I inquired about rebuilding an FJ shock. I received a direct response from the owner. I had mentioned these guys in an earlier post since EPM had helped me out in my old enduro days. In other words (to monkeys point) the myth continues.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your interest in our products and services.
To determine whether the shock can be rebuild I need to see at least some photos of it, if not the shock itself.
The rebuild service – if possible is at least $ 152.50 and can be as much as $ 269.00 depending on the type of shock.
A new spring will be necessary at $ 149.00, and possible reshimming is $ 95.00. This would but you over $ 500.00
A new shock from Hyperpro is $ 619.00 with a 5 year warranty a FREE 1st service coupon.
There is a Spring Season Discount in effect which will bring it down to $ 569.00, which is a much better value then rebuilding the "old" shock.
Either way, call the office in NJ at 732-786-9777 with your questions and/or order.
Regards
Klaus Huenecke
EPM Performance Imports
Email: info@epmperf.com
Phone/ Fax: 732-786-9777
www.epmperf.com (http://www.epmperf.com)
I installed the HyperPros on my BMW R1100RT this past winter and after about 2k miles have been very pleased with the results. The included rebuild credit is certainly a bonus, but only if the shock doesn't crap out after 15k. Not sure about that yet, but reviews for the HyperPros are generally good. Not quite up there with Wilburs or Ohlin's, but still quite good, particularly when you factor in price. I've already bitten the bullet on the RPM shock upgrade for my FJ, but would imagine the HyperPros would be a decent alternative for a couple hundred $ less.
The stock FJ shocks do not have shim stacks. They use a needle and orifice circuit. Not worth rebuilding since that type of damping control cannot be fixed with a rebuild. It will always be way inferior to a shim stack design
Quote from: Urban_Legend on May 01, 2015, 05:06:08 AM
The Good options for the FJ are:-
1. RPM (obviously)
2. Penske (similar in price and performance)
3. Hagon (based in UK - cheaper, but I don't know about quality - I have this on my FJ11, I like it)
There may be other option, but I don't know them.
Mark
Quite a few guys over here won't use anything else than Wilbers (me included).
The suspension of my 3YA was modified 2 weeks (~800 miles) after purchasing the bike by progressive fork springs and the mod. 641 Wilbers shock (which offers adjustable height & pre-tension of the spring as well as + & - damping adjustment), raising the rear end by 1,5" at the same time to improve handling. The spring of the shock can be chosen acc. to your weight and riding/gear/baggage preferences.
The difference to OEM is absolutely fantastic.
OK, the whole stuff is at about € 800,- regular retail (roughly 700 the shock and 1oo the fork springs) , that's not cheap at all, but it's worth every single €...
I just checked the RPM and Penske Websites for their offers (and prices); their stuff is looking quite good. Would be interesting to compare.
Hagon might work good for Cruiser style bikes, but as soon as you want to r i d e & have fun in my area with a Kind of sportsbike, thanks, but NO thanks. Just MHO...
I owned & rode quite a few bikes in the past 35 years all over Europe, but as soon as a suspension needs to be overhauled (Yeah, sometimes brandnew stock bikes need their suspensions to be overhauled...) Wilbers is the 1st choice. In Germany. When you are willing to pay for the best you can get (IMHO).
Greetz Jo
Quote from: jo-sommer on May 18, 2015, 08:55:26 AM
Quote from: Urban_Legend on May 01, 2015, 05:06:08 AM
The Good options for the FJ are:-
1. RPM (obviously)
2. Penske (similar in price and performance)
3. Hagon (based in UK - cheaper, but I don't know about quality - I have this on my FJ11, I like it)
There may be other option, but I don't know them.
Mark
zx
Quite a few guys over here won't use anything else than Wilbers (me included).
The suspension of my 3YA was modified 2 weeks (~800 miles) after purchasing the bike by progressive fork springs and the mod. 641 Wilbers shock (which offers adjustable height & pre-tension of the spring as well as + & - damping adjustment), raising the rear end by 1,5" at the same time to improve handling. The spring of the shock can be chosen acc. to your weight and riding/gear/baggage preferences.
The difference to OEM is absolutely fantastic.
OK, the whole stuff is at about € 800,- regular retail (roughly 700 the shock and 1oo the fork springs) , that's not cheap at all, but it's worth every single €...
I just checked the RPM and Penske Websites for their offers (and prices); their stuff is looking quite good. Would be interesting to compare.
Hagon might work good for Cruiser style bikes, but as soon as you want to r i d e & have fun in my area with a Kind of sportsbike, thanks, but NO thanks. Just MHO...
I owned & rode quite a few bikes in the past 35 years all over Europe, but as soon as a suspension needs to be overhauled (Yeah, sometimes brandnew stock bikes need their suspensions to be overhauled...) Wilbers is the 1st choice. In Germany. When you are willing to pay for the best you can get (IMHO).
Greetz Jo
It's time someone made a high tech, stand alone electronic shocker for bikes. I took the BMW for a spin through the week. Similar weight to the FJ and a magic carpet ride by comparison, better through the twisties and great at high speed.
I'd be first in line.
Noel
A discerning co-worker of mine, just bought one of these http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/super-tenere-es (http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/super-tenere-es) ES-equipped bikes, and loves it. Says that you can really tell the differences between the settings. Push-button suspension settings. Great idea.
Quote from: FJ1100mjk on May 18, 2015, 12:17:40 PM
A discerning co-worker of mine, just bought one of these http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/super-tenere-es (http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/super-tenere-es) ES-equipped bikes, and loves it. Says that you can really tell the differences between the settings. Push-button suspension settings. Great idea.
I know two "older gentleman" who own S Tens and take them all over the US both on and off road. With cruise control they use them for touring and enjoy a more upright riding position. If Yamaha would put the FJ09 motor in them I might be interested. Dave
I HAD a Wilbers shock for the FJ....never got to ride on it. Sent it out to be refurbed. Got it back, and had it in the trailer that was stolen before I got it installed :mad:
Looked like a nice piece though
Quote from: FJ1100mjk on May 18, 2015, 12:17:40 PM
A discerning co-worker of mine, just bought one of these http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/super-tenere-es (http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sport/models/super-tenere-es) ES-equipped bikes, and loves it. Says that you can really tell the differences between the settings. Push-button suspension settings. Great idea.
I frequently ride a BMW with on the fly electronic suspension. It's no gimmick, it's the way of the future, I love it.
Noel
To me it seems the future is a suspension that works effectively in all conditions without intervention from the rider. Smooth turns to rough sometimes without notice. A relaxing pace turns into a panic stop in an instant. For my $, the RPM solution is the better one.
Quote from: bharvey60 on May 19, 2015, 07:44:12 AM
To me it seems the future is a suspension that works effectively in all conditions without intervention from the rider. Smooth turns to rough sometimes without notice. A relaxing pace turns into a panic stop in an instant. For my $, the RPM solution is the better one.
This would be good in theory but IMO there is a limit to the range of conditions a fixed shocker can accommodate. As you say, the unexpected can appear without notice and you can't be madly twiddling dials everytime you see a bump or a pot hole coming up, that is not the idea. You select an appropriate setting for the general conditions.
As good as many members have found the RPM shocker to be, it is still limited by it's lack of adjustability and even adjustable ones are limited by the fact that this procedure needs to be done manually, in most cases while off the bike, and no one ever pulls over to the side of the road every time conditions change and makes adjustments.
Hammering down a bumpy stretch of road at high speed, no worries, just dial up "magic carpet ride" and the bike will float over a road that knocks the wind out of me on the FJ. Get to the twisties, no worries, dial up sport and feel it tighten. Put a pillion on, same thing etc.
Not knocking the RPM shocker and as far as I know, an aftermarket electronic one is not available at the moment, but the increasing availability of bikes now fitted with this technology suggests there might just be something in it.
I for one love it.
Modern ABS, traction control on big bikes and electronic suspension control are IMO fantastic and do nothing to detract from the experience, just enhance it.
Usual Disclaimer (and I have the RPM hamburger with the lot - shocker, springs, fork valves, brace, oil and even the stickers)Noel
How far do you want to go letting your ride decide how it "wants" to work? The "final" perspective of this are vehicles driving by themselves...
All those automatic Systems are suspect to me.
You should be able (and responsible) to adjust your ride to the way you plan to drive quick/slow, alone/luggage/passenger, paved roads/dirttracks, straights/twisties, whatever. So those adjustable systems offer an opptortunity to make your bike behave somehow different, giving you the fun or safety you want (or need).
Electronic can make the adjusting more comfortable by just pressing Switches, even without leaving your seat.
Nice.
Convenient.
But...
... at least three times a week someone "tries to shoot me off" my bike just because he/she is adjusting the stereo, enters data into the satnav, has got the cellphone at teh ear, is texting a message, checks f...book or is doing anything els not related to drive to the destination.
How many Switches / Systems do you really need to operate while you are driving? For me - three. Throttle, shift, brakes. Anything else is preparation to be done before starting the trip or during a break (yes, I do smoke :yes:).
Allt the other "little helpers" are suspect to me, such as traction control, corner brake assistance and even ABS.
18 months ago I was on the way on a KTM Super Duke, exiting a long right Corner at an angle of about 45° an a Speed of app. 90mph. A driver of a motorhome has decided that just this place would be nice to stop and take a Picture. No real chance to stop the ride when I could see this obstacle in my way, the only way to pass it would have been to do what I call "controlled highsider" by blocking the rear wheel while bringing the ride over to the left and re-open the wheels and pass on the throttle. Did that 20-30 times successfully. Stepped on the pedal "just by automatic reaction" - nothing blocked. Hit the back of this motorhome right in the middle and entered it through it's rear window.
14 weeks in Hospital and 7 unneccesary surgeries.
And now we shall go further on letting an automatic system decide how my ride will behave by adjusting e.g. power control, traction control, braking assistance, Suspension by sensor data it collects itself by camera(s), Radar, rain sensors etc.? Thanks, but NO thanks. I am and will stay happy with my old, antique rides as the FJ without ABS, but pre-ride-adjustable suspension.
Greetz, Jo
I have to agree that a lot of the new technology is fantastic. I've had a chance to ride some of the newer BMWs and Ducs and ended up drooling from the experience. I rode more confidently, faster and with a wider safety margin. However...
This stuff is expensive
I can't fix it myself
Reliability in some cases (BMW) seems to be suspect
I wouldn't be riding a 30 year old bike that I love and that turns heads. When was the last time anyone got chased 7 miles so someone could look at their 2015 Bimmer?
In my case, I don't ride well enough to take full advantage of the 1985 technology that exists in my "stock" FJ and probably never will. However, I can use incremental upgrades to widen that safety margin and maybe improve my riding. Better brakes and a better suspension go a long way toward achieving this without the need to have that latest technology at my fingertips. I can accomplish this for about $2 grand and have bike that turns heads, particularly when folks see the antique plate. Sure doesn't look antique.
Now if my lotto numbers come in this week, I may have to rethink this...
All of the shocks were received and back in stock Wednesday before I left for the rallies. Unfortunately, there appears to be some reorganization of the company and there was significant delays and poor communication.
Hopefully that has been resolved, plus I will also try and plan more effectively to ensure I do not run out again.
Randy - RPM