Suspension questions - rebuild or replace?

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Viking
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Suspension questions - rebuild or replace?

#1 Post by Viking » Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:52 am

Morning all,

Yeah, I know that the question's been asked a bazillion times already and many people have said 'replace the rear shock'. No-one (that I'm aware of) has said 'rebuild the stock ones'.

However.

I have spoken to a suspension place that's local to work (www.promecha.com.au) and their recommendation is to rebuild and revalve the rear shock (and add an anti-squat widget in there as well) and to revalve and respring the forks (as well as adding an anti-dive mechanism). Now, these guys do race bikes as well as road bikes (and supplied the parts to two riders who won Australian championships), so they know what they're talking about.

All up, I'm looking at about AU$800 (about UK#300 or so) for all the work. This is obviously cheaper than buying a new shock, and gets me the forks sorted as well.

Given that money is a deciding factor here, what do you all think?

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Aladinsaneuk
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#2 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:45 am

buy a new shock

the stock one, even rebuilt etc, is still poor in real terms imho

even when the falcos were new, all commented on the rear shock....

if you were to talk about rebuilding a white spring shock.... a lot better idea if you can find one on ebay etc

others will no doubt have other views - so hope you can work out the best for you :)

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#3 Post by D-Rider » Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:42 am

Personal choice I guess and I'm sure the standard one must be improvable but
1) Standard shock is not ride-height adjustable whereas most of the alternatives are.
2) Standard shock has no remote reservoir and runs close to the exhaust and will tend to overheat when pushed.

.... but it depends on what you want.

Some of the mille shocks can be picked up cheaply and rebuilt. May cost you a bit more but may be worth it.

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HowardQ
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#4 Post by HowardQ » Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:29 pm

As D-Rider says plus a bit more, a Mille shock is 4 way adjustable for -
Preload
Compression damping
Rebound damping
and ride height
And has a remote gas cylinder away from the exhaust heat.

A Falco shock has -
Preload and Rebound damping only and gets hot.

I would not pay £300 to have the Falco rshock rebuilt, ( might pay £100) ??), have they looked at your bike, (do they know Falcos), and seen the issue with the exhaust?

Know it might be more difficult to get hold of a Millle White Spring down under, but I'd pay the shipping, I got an almost new one for less than £40 on Fleabay.
Otherwise if you have enough cash, get an Ohlins or a Nitron etc..

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Viking
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#5 Post by Viking » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:06 am

Thanks for the answers, everyone.

Just looking around the forum, I see two shocks for sale:

GazUK has a yellow spring Mille unit with linkages for #85 + postage
TwinNut has a Falco-specific Ohlins unit.

As tempting as the Ohlins is, I have no idea what they are worth (well, AF1 wants US$800 for something similar). Honestly, I don't know if I can ride well enough to get the most out of the Ohlins, either. :smt019

Ahhhhh screw it. It's only money......

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#6 Post by Aladinsaneuk » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:17 am

i would say that i am only a fair rider - and not that fast

BUT

compared the the blue sucks shock - the others are a revalation

TBH

get a new rear shock of which ever type

if it is second and needs servicing, get that done

install it and then get your suspension set up by a professional

once all that is done, I think you will still have change from your budget - THEN decide if the front forks need doing.....

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#7 Post by D-Rider » Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:19 am

Viking wrote:Thanks for the answers, everyone.

Just looking around the forum, I see two shocks for sale:

GazUK has a yellow spring Mille unit with linkages for #85 + postage
TwinNut has a Falco-specific Ohlins unit.

As tempting as the Ohlins is, I have no idea what they are worth (well, AF1 wants US$800 for something similar). Honestly, I don't know if I can ride well enough to get the most out of the Ohlins, either. :smt019

Ahhhhh screw it. It's only money......
I don't think you need to be a riding-god to appreciate the improvements of an ohlins. I've got one fitted and I'm certainly not the rider I was before I took an extended break from riding a few years back - but the ride with the ohlins compared to the blue spring is chalk and cheese - so much more composed - therefore I'm quicker with the Ohlins (especially on bumpy roads).
Never tried one of the Mille Sachs shocks - I had one but sold it to Mellow Yellow before I ever fitted it (because an irresistible deal on the Ohlins came along). From what I hear, they do make a good improvement.

Just a couple of notes about the Falco specific Ohlins - which don't mean you should rule it out - just be aware of them when deciding.
1) The vertically oriented remote reservoir will not fit with a Mille swinger - If you are ever considering that mod, the Falco Ohlins is incompatible (the Mille Ohlins is the one to go for in that case).
2) The Falco Ohlins is not Ride-height adjustable - so you can't quicken the steering (I'm running the Mille Ohlins on max ride height which has made a big difference to turn-in)

Hope this helps.

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#8 Post by Viking » Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:48 pm

Morning all,

OK, have just done the deal with GazUK for the yellow-spring Mille unit.

My current plan is this:

Get the yellow spring unit installed and ride around on it for a while. Then when I have a week's holiday (February at this point), drop the bike off to the experts and let them do their magic on it.

Thanks for all the advice!

Now, I'd better go and do some work. It's what they pay me for. :smt010

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