Rear Shock Options

[Ruffy]

Hello in FJ world, i've only just joined and making my way through the post in the site. I have a '84 fj and at the moment still planning how i'm going to style the bike as i fixerup, the engine is in the shop as i write getting a freshen up. I'm away on shift so its painful to wait to get home and see how things are progressing, but the reason for this topic is about the rear shock. Hoping all you experienced players might give some options for the replacing it, as far as i know its original. At this stage i'm keeping the standard swingarm.

[Pat Conlon]

Hey Ruffy, here in the states many of us have good results using the ride height adjustable Penske shocks, the entry Penske is the sport shock at $625 at Traxxion Dynamics:
http://traxxionstore.com/shocks-2.aspx
or for a couple of dollars more, ($750) the 2 way adjustable Penske with remote reservoir 8981 series which I have on my '84. I like the ability to reach down with my left hand and dial up the compression on the reservoir when the twisties come around, then dial down the compression when I have to run on the highway.  FYI, a picture of how I mounted the Penske reservoir is in the gallery.

I got mine from Lindemann Engineering here on the west coast:
http://www.le-suspension.com/catalog/

Beware, our '84/85FJ100's have a longer shock body than the newer FJ1200's and the lower shock mount is a eye, as opposed to a clevis, used on the 1200 shocks, so be sure you get a shock for the correct year FJ.

Yeppers, no doubt it's very expensive but most worth it, IMHO addressing the weak oem Pogo Stick rear shock should be the first on the list of upgrades on the FJ.

Other shocks are available for the FJ's like Hagon in the UK :
http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/main1st.htm
I'm not sure what is available to you down under.    Cheers!

Moderator, lets move this over to the Modifications Section

[Ruffy]

Thanks for that Pat, I'll do some checking out of your pics and the links you posted. So far as i've been able to find there really are no options down under to purchase so mi'll be buying from O/S.

[ren-dog]

Hey Ruffy,

Australian Road Rider magazine has adds from all the major
suspenion suppliers down here. So far the Wilber's importer
has been the most helpful. They're a German mob.
But with the difference in exchange rates US vs Euro the
american stuff will likely work out cheaper.

Cheers.

[Ruffy]

Thanks for that Ren-dog, i do read Australian Road Rider Mag so i'll go through the older issuses and see what i can source. 

[Ruffy]

Thank you for your email & your interest in Wilbers Suspension.
Hi Guys,

This is the reply is recieved from Wilbers in Australia, Can you guys give any reccomendations from this info?





We can offer you two types of Wilbers shocks for this model & these include, type 640-097-00 & type 641-097-00.

Firstly, is our Type 640-097-00, it is a 46mm bodied oil & gas unit which has 22 rebound adjustments, it also has a radial flow piston & spring is adjustable via threaded collars, price = $895.00 incl'd GST.

Second, is Type 641-097-00, this is the top of the range shock, it has 22 high + 22 low speed compression adjustments in separate ports, it also has 22 rebound settings & preload adjustable via threaded collars. This unit has a dividing piston to keep the oil separate from the gas & this makes the shock operate much cooler under heavy loads & retain consistent damping control over any situation and it is best suited for long touring rides or when you are carring a pillion, luggage, extra loads, price = $1195.00 incl'd GST.

For both rear shock types there is an optional hydraulic spring preload adjuster available at an additional $395.00.

Please Note: I have included a couple of pics for reference only, they may have very slight differences for your particular model.

*All Wilbers shocks are manufactured to suit our customers weight & carrying capacities & therefore, are not an off the shelf item.
 
If you are interested, we are placing our order to Germany at 5-pm on Monday 11th and expected delivery time is 3 weeks.

Please note: If you order either of these shocks along with a set of fork springs, you will recieve a Wilbers T-Shirt celebrating 25 years FREE.

Once again, thank you very much for your enquiry & if I can be of further assistance with any questions you may have, please contact me directly on the number below.

Best regards,



Greg Fairthorne

ASR Suspension

1138 Arthurs Seat Road

Dromana, Vic, Australia,3936.

Tel: 03 (59) 81 0165

Fax: 03 (59) 81 8465

info@asr.com.au

www.asr.com.au

[racerman_27410]

other than having the shock sprung and valved for your weight (and the FJ) you are also looking for ride height adjustment.

didnt see any mention of the wilber shock having that feature.


KOokaloo!


Frank

[Pat Conlon]

other than having the shock sprung and valved for your weight (and the FJ) you are also looking for ride height adjustment. I didn't see any mention of the wilber shock having that feature.

Yeppers, that's a biggie.
Ruffy, what Frank means is that our Penske shocks are "ride height adjustable" IOW you can raise the rear end via the threaded shaft on the Penske shock. Not sure you can do that on the Wilbur shock.

This is a important feature especially on our early FJ's where we have no "dog bones" or rear links we can modify to alter the rear height. The newer FJ's have these dog bones and raising the rear end is much easier on these later FJ's but, unfortunately not so on our '84/85's. With our shock linkage the only way to raise up the rear end is via the threaded shaft adjustment on the Penske shock. Don't confuse this threaded height adjustment feature with the common threaded collar which controls your spring preload, they're different animals.

Getting the rear end raised on our FJ's and transferring more load on our front end works wonders with improving the nimbleness and handling on our FJ's.

The ride height is the frosting on the cake with the Penske shocks.  BTW, No, I do not work for Penske.

I am so glad I listened to Frank's, David's, Gazza's and Marsh's advice and ponied up the bucks to buy one.

All my discussion on raising the rear end, and threaded shafts, is going to cause Klavdy to chime in right about.....

[tqmx1]

And the other nice thing with the penske is if you ever decide to update the rear end all you have to do is call penske and have them ship a lower fork to replace the ball end.

[fj1289]

If you keep you eyes out, you might find a really good deal on a Wilburs - probably in the Oklahoma City area!     Nice shock, hydraulic preload, 3 way damping adjustments, some ride ht adjustment as I recall - I think the fork could be threaded in or out to adjust shock length.  If anyone sees it...

If you can get a good deal on one where you are, I'd go for it.  Otherwise, the Penske seems to be the performance and value deal that's hard to beat.  Maybe next winter... 

[ren-dog]

If anyone can find a Penske dealer for motorbike shocks down under let us know 

[Arnie]

If anyone can find a Penske dealer for motorbike shocks down under let us know 

Why worry about finding one in Oz?  Just order the damn thing from the US.  It'll cost you about $50 for postage, but if you hurry you can get it done while the A$ is sky high.

Cheers,
Arnie

[SILVERGOAT]

Has anyone tried fitting an 01-05 FZ1 rear shock to an 89 or newer FJ?

[billwest]

Does the Hagen shock increase ride height at all?

Bill.

[Pat Conlon]

Does the Hagen shock increase ride height at all?

No, the Hagon shock listed for the FJ1100, part # M62050 is not height adjustable.