Let the fun begin...RPM Rear Shock

[David Allaband]

Want want want! Gimmie! Randy comes out with new stuff faster then I can save for it. I just bought the spin on oil filter converter and the.... (in reverent whisper) oil cooler! (thank you Randy for this oil cooler, you're my hero.) I already have the fork brace, uni pods, clutch mods and a few little things. Randy is the kind of motorcycle friend I wish I was.

[aviationfred]

Once the cold weather sets in, about the middle of November. I am planning on doing the GSXR wheel mod. Hopefully the new shock will be completely tested and available by then, so I can stand in line with everyone else drooling in anticipation.

Fred

[racerrad8]

Testing on the rear shock is going well. I am currently testing different sag heights and air pressure to see the effects on the rear suspension. I can tell you the rear of the bike is much more stable. Even though we are using a light spring, compared to the other aftermarket shocks, the valving of the shock allows the rear suspension to work well without much suspension travel, but the high speed travel (bumps) is great as the IAT valve allows the shock to fully adsorb the bumps. The rear of the bike sits higher all the time because the valving is controlling the suspension movement, not just the spring. I guess I was really not aware of how often my stock shock would bottom out and that has not happened with the new shock yet.

I am also playing with the fork valves as well. The improved rear suspension has caused the front to be too stiff and I am working with the preload there as well. I guess the front suspension was carrying more of the rear suspension than originally thought and now that the rear is carrying its own weight, the front is now a little too stiff.

The install of the late model shock should be happening in a couple more weeks so that phase can begin.

Testing continues and the initial set-up is real close to right. Being able to dyno the other shocks as well as using the specs of the bike allowed the initial set-up to be in the ball park and minor changes are the testing phase at this point. Spring changes will come after we get the data logged based on the minor changes. The data will indicate whether a lighter or softer spring might benefit the bike. We need to get some more miles logged documenting the changes, then the shocks will move on to other riders for their input before the final stamp of approval can be applied and ready for sale.

Thanks for your support, Randy - RPM

[nurse]

Is the new rear spring Going to affect the spring weight requirements of the front end or are the adjustments needed that you mention, going to be managed more superficially (ie pre-load adjustment)?

[racerrad8]

Is the new rear spring Going to affect the spring weight requirements of the front end or are the adjustments needed that you mention, going to be managed more superficially (ie pre-load adjustment)?

Based on conversations with the manufacture the rates are going to stay the same, but the preload of the springs and fork oil level will be the fine tune of the front forks.

Randy - RPM

[nurse]

So I can safely order my .85 springs but shall await final fine tuning advice for my 93 3xw before getting on with fitment?

[racerrad8]

So I can safely order my .85 springs but shall await final fine tuning advice for my 93 3xw before getting on with fitment?

Yes, as long as your weight is in the range for that spring listed on the website. I will admit in my ongoing testing of the fork valves, I bumped up to .90 springs and that is what I currently have. I have not found the sweet spot with these springs as I did with my .85 and I weigh 200 lbs.

But I want to keep testing different combinations to make sure I can give educated advice when asked. I am going to ride the Renegade Rally next week with the .90 springs and then will be dropping back to .85.

Randy - RPM

[racerrad8]

Well, testing continues...

I put almost 200 miles on the rear shock commuting back & forth to work, and the shock worked flawlessly. Great ride, much more stable, rear of the bike maintains ride height and the bumps are soaked right up by the IAT circuit without a hint of bottoming out. As I stated earlier, I never fully understood how much the stock shock was bottoming out and now that the swing arm travel is within a controlled range, the bike is much more enjoyable and sporty.

I then took it to Napa last weekend for the Nor-Cal Renegade rally and we rode a wide variety of roads, from bumpy, tight & twisty, moderate to high speed sweepers and then we got to Skaggs road. The one trip west was the whole rally wrapped up in one stretch of road with the exclusion of the bumpy surface. The trip back to the east was hampered but still enjoyable...

I guess I never really noticed, but after the WCR & Colorado rallies I have warped the front & rear brake rotors and the more I used them, the hotter they got, the worse the pulsation became. So, the brakes were my limiting factor, but that tells me the RPM fork valves and rear shock have allowed far superior handling to the point I have now exceeded the performance capabilities of the stock 86 calipers & rotors with EBC HH pads.

While Andy and Craig stretched it out on me on Skaggs Rd, I was able to find a good rhythm with only moderate braking required and I can tell you the RPM rear shock has once again transformed my bike. The bike is much more stable on the acceleration and the control swing arm travel provides much more confidence.

I did find the rebound circuit of the shock a little too light as if I really climbed all over the brakes it would kick the tail up right away and make the back of the bike twitchy under heavy braking.

The shock is already back in the manufactures hands for valving adjustments and I should be back to testing next week.

Based on the initial testing the shock has already exceeded my expectations and with the changes being made, the improvement will be even greater. Once I get the shock to my satisfaction it will start being tested by other riders and the late model shock will also include the valving changes for testing as well.

Randy - RPM

[FJmonkey]

 

Not a real post but it is how I feel right now. I rarely saw your tail light in Napa so if it works for you on an almost bone stock 86' running with the fast dogs then it will do my FJ Kookaloo good......

[craigo]

This is great news, Randy.

So when do you expect to place the shock on the market? Any idea as to a price point?
If this does not happen soon, I will be forced to buy a Penske. The ride on my bike is now at God Awful and I worry any time I start to push it. It wallows all over and just kinda bounces over any rough roads. I really have to be careful on setting the bike up going into any corners, and any fast directional changes makes the bike very unsettled.

I really am ready to pull the trigger on this. Let me know.

Thanks a bunch for the update,

CraigO

[racerrad8]

This is great news, Randy.

So when do you expect to place the shock on the market? Any idea as to a price point?

I really am ready to pull the trigger on this. Let me know.

Thanks a bunch for the update,

CraigO

I am testing as fast as I can...

Once I get the shock re-valved it will be installed and the next phase of testing will begin. I should be receiving the late model shock at the same time as the reconfigured early shock and I will be getting that installed for testing. From there, I have to determine what other or additional changes need to be made.

At that point other test model shocks will be sent out for testing with those who ride two up and carry a lot of weight. I have a track guy that is planning on taking my bike out for some track laps as well.

I really hope to have all of the testing complete by the end of November and the shock to be available at the first of the year, at the latest.

I do have a price point in mind, but I am holding off until all of the testing is complete in the event we have to make changes to the shock that will raise the price. I have also started the manufacturing of the shock protector boot that will come with the shock to protect it from the elements as well.

Unfortunately, there are ton of people who are and have been ready to purchase this shock, and just like the front fork valves, the process has taken much longer than I anticipated. But now that the testing is underway, I want to make sure the shock is the best product available for your FJ. With that said if we need to extend the testing time to ensure that, that is what is going to happen. I need to make sure I get plenty of feedback on the shock before it is on the shelf, that way everyone that buys one is satisfied when they get it.

Randy - RPM

[I make oil]

Put me down for one when they are ready.   

[FeralJuggernaut]

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

[rktmanfj]

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

+1   

[RumBoy]

This is all sounding good to me. If I can't get my present shock woes sorted, I'll be very interested in one of the RPM shocks that'll be set up for two-up riding. For an '86