Let the fun begin...RPM Rear Shock

[Firehawk068]

Waiting to replace the original equipment.   Price point only dictates the when!   

Erich? 
How is the mistress these days?

[FeralJuggernaut]

I'm down to the valve seals.  A few more days of cleaning and should be able to start on reassembly of the lump.  But, let's not thread-jack this very important thread on rear shockers!   We need another update, we're in November and I am thinking of starting my xmas wish list!!   BUMP!   

[nurse]

Randy Any update on progress of testing new rear shock?  Any ideas on price point? I'm thinking in relation to the later models specifically!

[FeralJuggernaut]

Any news or updates?

[racerrad8]

Yes,

I believe the valving package is finalized. They sent me today, hopefully for the last time, the early model shock with the correct upper mounting eye. If the mounting is correct, it will be heading out on Monday for a final riders evaluation for a couple of weeks before production is implemented.


The late model shock lower mounting clevis is being addressed at this time as well, but that correction is much easier than the other shock.

The spring rates are being set based on weight as well and I hope every thing can come together by March 1st.

The shock socks and adjusting wrenches are on the shelf waiting for the shock to be done. After the final changes to the clevis are completed, I will be able to get the price nailed down.

Randy - RPM

[keand3]

This is great news Randy.
One more item ticked of on the "to do list" next winter! 

Cheers
Ken

[FJmonkey]

Sounds like I need to get my 86' and assorted parts ready to convert to dogbones. I have the important part, the rest is bolts, washers and picking the length of the bones I want. I will start with 1/2 off the ground on the center stand. And there is plenty of time before the WCR... 

[racerrad8]

Well, I think forward progress is finally being made on the rear shocks. It has been a difficult process but I got this yesterday.



That is the first batch, five (5) of each version of the shock on the bench being built.

Randy - RPM

[nurse]

Looking sweeeeet Randy! I swear a little bit of wee came out when I saw the eibachs photo bombing the top of the picture!!

[keand3]

Looking sweeeeet Randy! I swear a little bit of wee came out when I saw the eibachs photo bombing the top of the picture!!

+1 

[yamaha fj rider]

Good news Randy!!! Great to see all your work coming to fruition.

Kurt

[p51bombay]

Any idea when these will become available and what pricing or can we assume price will be similar the $550 that Ricor is selling their shocks for since it appears to be a Ricor shock along with the fork valves being Ricors Intiminators?

http://store.ricorshocks.com/default.asp/]<a href="[url]http://store.ricorshocks.com/default.asp/">Ricor</a>[/url]

[racerrad8]

Any idea when these will become available and what pricing or can we assume price will be similar the $550 that Ricor is selling their shocks for since it appears to be a Ricor shock along with the fork valves being Ricors Intiminators?

Well, as I posted last on Thursday they are on the bench being manufactured and I hope to see them shortly, it is only a few posts back in the thread.

You are correct, they are being made by Ricor but that is where everything regarding Ricor stops. They are manufacturing the shock and fork valves for RPM as am RPM product.

I do not assume anything and I will not have a price until I get the first batch and I know the full actual cost of the shock. While you have listed the shock they currently have on sale for $550.00 with a list price of $889.99, but it cannot be compared to the FJ shock.

The FJ products that they manufacture for me/RPM are for bikes that have been out of product since 1995 and longer. The products they make for me are also specifically designed and manufactured for the FJ1100/1200 and no other bike. I contacted them about the suspension components for the FJ and they agreed to design a fork valve and rear shock for the FJ. While the fork valves might be similar in design the internal valving of the valve is exclusively for the FJ. When I contacted them we started with an off the shelf valve for the V-Max 41mm forks, but they would not work. That was the start of the testing of the valving required for the FJ only. It would have been great and cheaper to buy right off the shelf, but they do not have a stock item that will work on the FJ, so I pay for a specific FJ product to offer to you.

Now, the rear shock has been in the design & testing process for over two years. We are finally at a point where I am happy with the product for the FJ. I started with sending them stock shocks as well as a Penske for design. We started testing with a product they valved to be acceptable for the FJ in a shock they were already producing. That shock lasted less than a weekend as the seal started leaking after less that two days of riding. After they received the shock back, they determine the shock shaft size was too small and had bent. So, to the drawing board to make a more substantial product for the FJ and now the product has been put through its paces and is in the manufacturing process.

Now, Ricor agreed to manufacture these items for me/RPM at my expense in the design and development because they know it is an old bike and the market is limited. They do not want to try and market for the FJ and send all customers inquiring with them to me as they are RPM exclusive products.

The FJ products are a limited number production run compared to other items they make. There are tens of thousands of Suzuki SV650 on the road and they are sill being made today so that is a current bike that they can produce product for and continue to produce for many years to come and they will sell tens of thousands of them. The FJ is a limited market and I might be lucky to sell 1000 over the next 10-15 years. I can tell you if I get lucky and sell that many in a year the price will definitely be able to be lowered because of the higher production numbers, but if I only sell 20 a year obviously the production costs are higher and the price is reflected on the production cost.

So, when someone else steps up, spends their money and time to have another manufacture design and market an FJ specific suspension product that is comparable in operation, quality and equal to the RPM complete package, the price can never be compared.

I am not going to bring lower quality or universal products made to fit the FJ to the FJ owner, I will bring FJ specific designed and tested product or it will not have my name on it.

Even current Penske owners are in line to replace the vaulted shock as my product works better since the Penske is a universal product that is adapted to the FJ, not a specific product made for it.

Comparing any other shock or fork valve to the products I have brought to the market is like comparing coal to diamonds.

Randy - RPM

[p51bombay]

Fair enough, been reading about them in a number of threads and when I saw a photo they looked entirely the same (externally) I had been familiar with the product since installing a set of their 49mm versions in my Harley and can attest to the fact that they do work quite well.  I know there was been some discussion between HD forum members and Brian where he had made up some soft stack versions for those who felt they were a bit firmer than they would like - and they are firm but I never found them excessively so.  Do you know if they will offer you the same options of modifying the shim stack up or down as requested - post purchase?  Can't say much one way or another about the shocks, I know many of the HD members bought the twin shock versions and liked them a lot, i guess if they work as well as the IAT valves then it should be pretty good.  Back in 89 I got a new FJ from the dealer and first thing was fitting an Ohlins, it needed a slightly softer spring from what it came with but after that it delivered both plush yet controlled ride, interstate or curves, low or high speed, city or back roads - that's what I'm after. Going to look at a 90 FJ Monday.

[Mike Ramos]

p51 Bombay,

If you review Randy's post explaining how the Fork Valves & rear shock were developed SPECIFIALLY for the FJ then any "logic" that you are using to justify your statements comparing a H-D to the FJ's is sheer, well just say it is comparing apples to oranges.

I suggest you find a previous video posting from last years Rally in Tellico Plains; there on the "fabled" Tail of the Dragon your "super" H-D aka Buell is (oh hell) passed on the right... several times (a day or so later) but not on film he was bested again.  And some where on this Forum is Jarhead with his piss pot helmet who states that his H-D boasts 135 hp...!  Well, there is a reason why the old FJ's continue to perform well (with their measly 100 hp), and it is certainly not from living in the past.  It is because of people such as the creator of this Forum, the gentleman referred to as Preacher & others who contribute to its continuing success AND to the gentleman from R.P.M. who has put forth a considerable amount of time, energy & financial resources into products which we all profit from...!

Prior to the rear shock entering into production, I was offered the opportunity to purchase a pre-production version of the rear shock.  All that was asked of me by Randy was that I e-mail him my impressions of the shock's performance. And so I did, several of which have been shared with the members of this Forum.

I have not corresponded with Randy re: the shock since it was finalized & into production.  However, yesterday I was at the R.P.M. shop to have the motorcycle serviced prior to the West Coast Rally.

After I left the RPM shop I had the opportunity to encounter and answer a challenge under the most unusual conditions.  I felt that it merited comment that I related to Randy because the performance of the suspension units developed and refined by the gentleman from RPM was taken to a new level; certainly not encountered previously.  And it was the first time where the weather was dry and I had new upgraded tires to exploit the suspension to its' full potential.  Well at least it was all I could do at the time...

Anyway, below is an e-mail I sent to R.P.M. last night sometime after my arrival and immediately after I realized I had arrived in without incident and in one piece, if not yet sound of mind...!



Good evening Randy,

Well, I cannot really explain what transpired so I will just go in chronological order.

I left your place [      ].  So I motored on my way up 99 and over 120 to the 580 going over the Altamont Pass.  The wind was horrible, very strong yet more steady than gusty and fortunately at an oblique from the front, not directly from the side. If not the worst I have experienced there, then close to it.

Bear in mind that at speed I usually go by "feel" but I have had to re-acclimate myself, and it has proved rather difficult & problematic because of the uniqueness of your suspension.  However, this afternoon's ride was all by "feel", something which I am quite pleased to note because it allows me to concentrate more on the riding by understanding & acknowledging my limitations without having to check the rpm & mph.  It is a plateau for which I have strived but which has been difficult to achieve. 

I also recall initial trepidation about a lack of experience with the new type of tire, [Michelin Power 3 2CT] but it soon evolved into respect as the tires did very well; actually allowing full use of the suspension components.

As usual I was in the low 70's in the #3 lane when a small Ford motored by in the #1 lane a bit faster, quite a distance before the Pass and again when at just the beginning of the incline.  It did not really mean much. 

However, a Pontiac WS6 with a vanity plate (FAST_ _ _ _) came along side braking hard & then speeding up.  I recall thinking "shall I take a chance?" and down shifted to 4th but under hard acceleration I could not out pull him; he really had some power!  Thus down to 3rd and nearly to redline (which takes the motorcycle into the 90's) and hard into 4th also nearly to redline which I believe is well into triple digits & then into 5th.  However, because of the wind & incline and banking through the turns, I am forced to slam back down to 4th until I crest the grade.  The road surface is in terrible shape, but the suspension is absolutely unbelievable...! 

I am of the belief that the car was unable to keep up because the road was just too rough.  He did have a lot of power, at least initially and it was I, not he who did not have an open road; the lanes which I traversed had cars & trucks well spaced which I rode around, not signaling lane changes as my speed was perhaps twice theirs.  I did keep track of the Pontiac when I was able.  I did not slow down to highway speed until just after the crest of the pass and it took until the flats on the Pleasanton side  before he pulled along side and with a wide grin he waved & I returned his wave as well.  This is when I noticed the rear spoiler & vanity plate.

I cannot emphasize the performance of your suspension and anyone who says there is anything better for street use is foolish.  Penske shock or USD forks just cannot compete nor compensate for all the differences in road conditions; it is impossible to set either to optimum settings outside of a track setting.   

I will even state that your suspension is "active" which is attained without electronics.  I have ridden the gamut of types of road surfaces [with your suspension over these 9,000 plus miles] and road conditions and every reaction of the suspension has been instantaneous.  I cannot fathom how a rider is supposed to toggle from "sport" to "highway" to ''[take your choice of vernacular]'' when street riding changes literally from moment to moment. 

In closing, I am quite certain that the episode was as I describe because after he waved I actually allowed myself to say out loud to myself  "Whew" although it was said quietly.

Take care,

Mike