Where is the aftermarket graveyard?

[Davo231481]

I'm just wondering where most aftermarket parts end up. In searching for parts for this and a number of other bikes in the shed I rarely see used Ohlins,  Wilbers , WP , or other aftermarket suspension bits being sold on fleabay or dumbtree. So where do these rebuildable shocks end up?

[aviationfred]

I don't think there is a definitive answer to your question..... But, I will take a stab at it with My personal opinion.

During the 13 year production run of the FJ1100/1200. The suspension bits were inadequate from the factory. For the most part they functioned well enough for....let's say 95% of the FJ owners. Hence.....the fork internals and rear shocks were left alone to continue to function. Now jump ahead 10 years (2006). Some (very few) of these FJ have now accumulated 60,000, 100,000 or more miles. The rear shock is most definitely worn out by now. Many of these owners simply replace with a genuine Yamaha OEM shock. A small few will upgrade to a Penske, Ohlins, Works Performance and the like. These owners are ones that ride often and know the benefits of the upgraded shock. If they crash their bike or replace it with another FJ..... The aftermarket shock gets installed on the replacement FJ. At this point lets say 90% of all FJ's on the road continue on with OEM shocks. Now we are at today 2017. Many many FJ's still have less than 50,000 miles on them. We are talking a tad bit over a 1000 miles of use, a year, on average. The OEM rear shock is still able to do its job. Not exceptionally, but able. Switch gears a bit now. With the advent of the internet and the FJowners  forum, other FJ groups, clubs and such. We (as members) are the enthusiasts'. We ride the beasts, we put high miles a year on them. We wear out the shocks, fork springs, slave cylinders, internal clutch components and such. We are out there riding. Unfortunately...

This leads us back to your original question. Where are the used aftermarket high quality rear shocks. My opinion is..... They don't exist... Yes one will show up now and again, but it is rare. The majority of the Penske, Ohlins, HyperPro, Hagon, RPM, Wilbers, shocks are still in use on rideable FJ's. Simply put.....they're not out there to be purchased used.

This is my general opinion with zero facts to back any of this up. I say this from my knowledge of the used part market for our FJ's. In 5 years, I have seen 1 used FJ1100/1tx 1200 Fox shock, and 2 used Hagon shocks show up for sale. I bought the Fox shock and installed it on my Black 1987 1200 before I sold the bike.

Fred

[giantkiller]

I got a freshly rebuilt ohlins shock from a member here. But only because he bought it, had it rebuilt. Only to find out it was for an 86. And he had a later model. So when they do show up. It's usually here and they get snapped up right away.

[Pat Conlon]

Good post Fred!

Using aftermarket shocks for example, remember that they are rebuildable, the oem shocks are not.
That's why the aftermarket shocks are still in service.

[Tor-King]

Alright, staying somewhat on topic, I have an opportunity to pick up this shock for my '93 FJ...

But, there does not seem to have any markings on it. Does ANYONE have a clue as to the make of this aftermarket shock?

Thanks,
Dean

[Bones]

Going by the little Allen screw in the body at the bottom of the shock and the grub screw in the adjusting ring, I'd say it's a Hagon. The bottom screw is used to adjust the damping/compression and the top one has to be loosened to adjust preload.

[Davo231481]

Alright, staying somewhat on topic, I have an opportunity to pick up this shock for my '93 FJ...

But, there does not seem to have any markings on it. Does ANYONE have a clue as to the make of this aftermarket shock?

Thanks,
Dean

Lucky you. I can't find any local so may need to save some and bite the bullet on a new one

[Hemi Bob]

I'm the same boat can't find a good used shock.Surprisingly there are a number of shocks on the market  to choose from.
Affordable not so much.
My 85 fj with 48,000 km still has the original shock
Only because I can't decide what to replace it with.
As Money is always a contributing factor
Just how would these shocks rate quality vs price
Best bang for your buck.
Prices are off the internet and Canadian funds
Hyper pro $ 450.00
Wilbers premium $500.00
YSS  $600.00
Wilbers stage 1  $650
Haygon remote $700
Wilbers stage 3 remote $900
Works Performance $1000
Penske 8983 remote $1200
RPM $1300
Ohlins $1600

Bob

[Davo231481]

My riding doesn't justify an Ohlins and my back pocket is liking the YSS price wise . That's the trouble with champagne tastes and beer money

[Sparky84]

Any reason there is no Nitron shocks in above list?
Just to add another choice.

[Hemi Bob]

Hey Sparky,
sorry about that, ebay lists a Nitron FJ1200 r1 shock for $1297.00 Canadian
So how do you pick what's best for the price. from a low $450 to a high $1600
I do some spirited riding mostly on weekend. No track days, a couple thousand km a season
No passenger and no luggage. Would be cool to buy an ohlins but $1600 Canadian. their are some other things
I could spend 1/2  that money on for my FJ

Hyper pro $ 450.00
Wilbers premium $500.00
YSS  $600.00
Wilbers stage 1  $650
Hagon remote $700
Wilbers stage 3 remote $900
Works Performance $1000
Penske 8983 remote $1200
Nitron R1 $1297
RPM $1300
Ohlins $1600

Bob

[giantkiller]

My 89 had a works performance shock on it. I didn't think they were that expensive.

[Sparky84]

Gidday Bob,
I know how you feel, our $'s worth about the same as yours against USD & GBP.                 Crap!
I'd like a new shock but the cost is big bickies, mines still original and seems to still go ok
but over the years I suppose Ive got used to it as it slowly fades away and I haven't realised
( I don't have any other bikes to compare it with ) a bit like the old hearing.

Will the 1600$ one perform better than the 450$?, don't know and probably never will, I'm only ever going to afford 1 (unless I can scrap a Lot more copper cable)
Will either be better than OEM? Possibly due to newer technology in them.
Will you notice the difference from OEM? Yes, whether it's better? Possibly

Best Rear shock won't make you a faster rider,
best bits on your bike won't make a faster rider,
It's the rider that makes the fastest rider.

Good bits make it a safer ride But I never scimp on protective rider gear, so important, it's not me it's the people around me, ATGATT
So that's why I'm thinking middle of the road, can't afford the cheapest or dearest but something in between.

If you're doin the rear, have you done the front? To have a balance, to work in unison with each other.

Good Luck
Cheers

[Pat Conlon]

Penske does have a lower cost option than the 8983, it's called their "Sport Shock 8900E" and around $700 US
http://www.le-suspension.com/penske/
http://www.traxxion.com/Penske-Sport-Shock-by-Traxxion-Dynamics-0/

A good shock is the single most expensive component you will buy for your FJ. IMHO it should be high on the priority list of mods. Like #1.

If you have a '84-'87 FJ make sure the shock you get has provisions for ride height adjustment. A feature not critical on the '88-'95's with the dog bone linkage.

[FJ_Hooligan]

I have a Penske Sport Shock on my '85 and it was a SIGNIFICANT improvement over stock!

Preload and rebound damping as well as height adjustments.