Penske Shock install

[Tengu]

2 Reasons:
1. I am wary of dealing with folks manythousands of kilometres away - especially ones I dont know and have no recommendation to deal with
2. I am not yet 100% sure of what I need to get for my 1990 FJ12 (other than reading what you fine fellows are posting)

Due to th ebike being an import from Europe I have received parts before that dont fit!

[axiom-r]

2 Reasons:
1. I am wary of dealing with folks manythousands of kilometres away - especially ones I dont know and have no recommendation to deal with
2. I am not yet 100% sure of what I need to get for my 1990 FJ12 (other than reading what you fine fellows are posting)

Due to th ebike being an import from Europe I have received parts before that dont fit!

There is no better source for a Penske shock than Penske themselves (this should be obvious for all the obvious reasons). I would be much more worried buying through a dealer/distributor that was set up next door.  Go to the source.

I worked with Cole at Penske in Redding, PA- great guy.  I got the 8987 customized for my R1 nuttiness...  for a stock linkage FJ it should be a fairly easy ordering process.  You will have to guess at the spring rate the first time (seems like most folks get a 1000-1200 lb. per inch rate).  BUT- they will swap your spring out as many times as needed to get the shock right.  I don't think the distributors will do that for you...  I started at 1100 and tried the 1200 and am now waiting to receive a 1400lb spring....

The "clip" holding the Res on in a piggyback like position is from Traxxion Dynamics and was possible because I removed stock parts and replaced with R1.  The clip should work more easily on any normal 8987 or 8300 series Penske, eliminating the need to strap the res to your frame.

BAM:

[CanDman]

Penske is an amazing company to deal with....I spoke to Trax and then I called Penske.....and decided to just send it   directly to the source....Penske...and man....am I ever glad I did. Some local shop in Toronto said that they could get me a heavier spring and revalve my shock.....in 3 weeks and for an outrageous price. I sent the shock to Mike at Penske via overnight courier(I needed it back quickly)......well....they got it Monday and had it back to me by Wednesday.....and at the half the cost.............and what an incredible difference.........doesn't feel like I am slaming into a wall when I go over the bumps,pot holes and train trax...I glide over everything now......feels like I was bumped up to first class. I have the 8983 and I mounted it on the right side  basically put it in the same place where the stock resevior used to be . If you grab a penske over ......say..... Ohlins you getting just about the same quality shock for way less money.....American made.....service for it is as fast as you want it to be and parts are local.......not all the way in Sweden. For value , quality and service........Penske is the way to go !!!! No doubt about it.......Paddy.....thx for the tip
Kev

[Tengu]

Well my Penske 8983 arrived yesterday and it is getting installed tomorrow night... I cant wait!

[racerman_27410]

Well my Penske 8983 arrived yesterday and it is getting installed tomorrow night... I cant wait!

you are going to love it!


KOokaloo!

[axiom-r]

The difference is amazing that is for sure!

[Tengu]

Well it's on the bike... that was fun! (Had a fellow who knows a LOT about suspension)
lucky I also knew about removing the airbox!
It took less than 2 hours all up (not racing), fits perfectly and all set up ready to go

Only 2 problems now, the rain has set in here in Queensland and I have had a serious flu which has left my inner ears absolutely rat$h!t, so I have no sense of balance and so cannot safely ride the bike!
Im like a kid with a new present for Xmas that I am not allowed to unwrap even though I know exaclty what it is!

As soon as I can ride again I will give her a test out and then think about adjusting ride height
Seriously happy tho, huge amount of documentation to learn more about suspension and I got stickers as well!

thanks for all the help and advice folks

[racerman_27410]

A good starting point on the ride height is to put the bike on the centerstand and adjust the shock until the rear tire just touches the ground.


KOokaloo!

Well it's on the bike... that was fun! (Had a fellow who knows a LOT about suspension)
lucky I also knew about removing the airbox!
It took less than 2 hours all up (not racing), fits perfectly and all set up ready to go

Only 2 problems now, the rain has set in here in Queensland and I have had a serious flu which has left my inner ears absolutely rat$h!t, so I have no sense of balance and so cannot safely ride the bike!
Im like a kid with a new present for Xmas that I am not allowed to unwrap even though I know exaclty what it is!

As soon as I can ride again I will give her a test out and then think about adjusting ride height
Seriously happy tho, huge amount of documentation to learn more about suspension and I got stickers as well!

thanks for all the help and advice folks

[Tengu]

yes I have heard that rule of thumb...
I have a custom seat that is lower but wider than the stock standard... and being a little short in the legs I have to be a bit more subtle

[Pat Conlon]

James, you would have loved to see this guy we have here on the left coast. A long time FJ rider we call him Doobie Ray. He loves his bag of herbs (for medicinal use) He is 5' nothing. Maybe not even 5'...
Every time he comes to a stop he has to dismount to stand along side the bike to hold it up....His legs are so short.
It's the craziest thing I ever saw. He has to push off on his right foot, left foot on the peg to get the bike rolling then swing his right leg over to get back on.
Regardless....He is a hell of a rider..... I never saw him fall. He also has a Honda ST1300 he rides in the Iron Butt Rally.

Speaking of butts....Here he is at the 2005 WCR saying hello:


Anyone know what happened to him? (and don't say he fell...)

[Harvy]

Pat, whose was the bike in front of him with the non OEM swingarm? Looks like a 92 or 93.

Harvy

[Vernon]

 

Hi there guys

I really need help big time with my FJ 1100 1984 model. Bike ran fine till a while ago when it started to just cut out on me. It turned out a fuse was blown and eventually i had the whole harnass redone.

Problem now is that the motor swings very slowly almost as if battery is weak. I replaced the battery with a new one. Motor swings very slowly at first, then gradually picks up speed until she starts. Revs upo fine but if I switch her off I immediately have the slow swinging problem again ( almost as if the brand new battery is flat ). Please  please help!!!!

Regards
Vernon

[weymouth399]

I though we have a no porn rule

Bob W  

[fj1289]

Pat - would that be Rittner's bike?  Also has the tube handlebar conversion.  I also think it looks like one of the pipes he had on it at one time too. 

Chris

[Marsh White]

Pat, whose was the bike in front of him with the non OEM swingarm? Looks like a 92 or 93.

Harvy

That was Marc Rittners FJ - the pioneer of the Thurderace swingarm mod.  That swingarm and forks were purchased and on Klavdy's US FJ.  Then sold to Flynt - who purchased the rest of the bits off of Rittners FJ and created a beauty!