REAR SUSPENSION UPGRADE OPTIONS?

[tory]

Hello
  Great forum.I have been studying it for awhile and am very impressed with the great knowledge.
I have a 92 FJ1200 that I use for alot of touring.But when loaded with all three GIVI bags and two people (Im not small) I feel like Im botteming out the rear suspension.

  Is there a way to adjust the preload on the rear shock?

  And/Or is there an after market rear suspension upgrade availble more touring minded than sport?

   Thanks,Tory

[winddancer]

Go here some say it cost to much but if you read all the reviews here on the RPM site it is worth it. I changed over and I love it.


http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=M%2FC%3ARPMShock%2891-95%29

[FJ1100mjk]

The RPM shock, and based upon its glowing reviews, is the hot ticket. It and the RPM fork valves, compliment each other very well. Again, based upon those who have gone that route. The RPM shock at, I'm guessing with shipping, is around $1,000.

I went the cheaper route (prior to the release of the RPM shock), and bought the model-specific Hyperpro from this outfit:

http://www.epmperf.com/

The shock if I recall correctly, was $540 delivered, and came in a rugged storage/shipping container. It has capability for ride height adjustment (nice feature), and comes with the first rebuild for free, and a five year transferable warranty. The owner of the company Klaus, knows his stuff when it comes to suspensions. They also offer a cheaper YSS shock for the FJ as well.

Good luck on your choices.

[Bones]

I bought a Hagon for my 93 last year and am happy with it's performance, I haven't even adjusted the preload at all since I got it and seems fine even 2 up, no bottoming out, played around with the damping a bit though. Early model shocks were dearer than the later models for some reason, with mine costing about $500.00 delivered.







Randy's shock would be ideal, but if the dollars are tight, these aren't too bad.

                                                         Tony.

[tory]

Those all sound.like great options although $1000.00 is an awful lot to put into a 22 year old bike.
Is there a way to adjust the pre load on the shock? I'm mainly looking to be able to handle the weight better, not necessarily a performance thing.
I enjoy my so much that I never ride the goldwing anymore but am bottoming out two up with all the luggage.

[FJ1100mjk]

Yes, you can adjust the preload front and back. Check out your Owners Manual for the procedures. If you don't have one, there's copies of them in the Files Section on this website. They are for earlier (I believe) models than your  92, but I think they're the same set up regardless.

There's a way of getting a little more preload on the back, by dialing it up to the max, disconnecting the adjuster's chain, dialing back the adjuster without the chain attached to it, then re-assembling it all, then again dialing up the preload adjuster again. Sounds like a lot of work, but it really isn't.

Even after doing the preload adjustments, you still may be short of what you need. It all depends riders' weight, luggage, and how you ride. A lot of variables. Just to name some.

Others may chime in an about the above too.

Good luck.

[tory]

Thanks for the quick reply, I have seen and read that procedure, and my owners Manuel does talk about the adjuster and chain, but says that is for earlier bikes, mines a 92 and does.not have the chain type.adjuster.
I see a spur on the bottom and top and do notknow which if either, is for adjusting.

[Bones]

You adjust the preload by turning the ring with all the square holes in it. Take the left side cover off as it's easier to get at than the right side and you'll see it's on the top of the shock. It's a bastard to turn if you don't have the right spanner which I didn't, so I made one out of an old set of multi-grips. I think it's clockwise to increase the preload.



                                                     Tony.
                             

[yamaha fj rider]

Other options are cbr600f4, bmw and r6 shocks. Buying used off of ebay. Some mods need to be done to install a shock from a different model. You can do a search and find the details. If you have a question about these shocks just let me know and I will do my best to answer it.

Kurt 

[Arnie]

Suggestion for you:
If you're trying to adjust the preload on the OEM shock

Make sure there is NO weight on the rear when you attempt to rotate that adjuster.
It may also help to spray a bit of lube inside that collar with the square holes.

[Persistant]

Those all sound.like great options although $1000.00 is an awful lot to put into a 22 year old bike.
Is there a way to adjust the pre load on the shock? I'm mainly looking to be able to handle the weight better, not necessarily a performance thing.
I enjoy my so much that I never ride the goldwing anymore but am bottoming out two up with all the luggage.

I have a 93, cranked the crap out of the adjustment and no improvement.  Stock shocks are one of the weaknesses of the FJ.  Bought the RPM rear and I now have a new bike!  I had considered selling it and buy a more modern ride but now there is NO WAY I'm doing that.

[Burns]

does Randy sell a rebuild kit with all the rear suspension needle bearings/bushings?
Putting a 1000 dollar shock on a swing arm with dry/crapped out bearings makes no sense at all.

[X-Ray]

They are listed individually on the RPM website.  http://www.rpmracingca.com/.  In the FJ specific section and just search for "bearing"

Hope that helps.  

[Burns]

Thank you.

[Bettermusic]

Thanks for the quick reply, I have seen and read that procedure, and my owners Manuel does talk about the adjuster and chain, but says that is for earlier bikes, mines a 92 and does.not have the chain type.adjuster.
I see a spur on the bottom and top and do notknow which if either, is for adjusting.

Did you get the problem solved? I have a '92 as well and found the same thing, regularly bottomed out with 2 up. I adjusted the preload 3 clicks and felt it made all the difference in the world. I lubed the adjuster and managed to get in the with a large pr. of channel locks. When I sit on the bike the front drops now, not the back and it doesn't bottom out with 2 up anymore. Handles better when riding solo too.

Gary