Trying to buy...

[Pat Conlon]

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?

[scotiafj]

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 ... 

[the fan]

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.

[the fan]

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       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.

[the fan]

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

[Charlie-brm]

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.

[delarbreavous]

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?

[Arnie]

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.

[movenon]

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

[delarbreavous]

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

[bharvey60]

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.

[BikeryJeff]

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...     

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

[bharvey60]

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.

[FJ_Hooligan]

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

[jo-sommer]

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