Making the Stock Shocks Better
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 79
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From:
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
 \\;I purchased a set of lowering device from a fella on eBay that basically changes the angle of the shock to achieve the drop. Link:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...253805 \\; Copy and paste should work. If not the item number is 170235253805
 \\;
The instructions state never to tip a shock upside down as oil can seep into the air chambers ruining the shock. If this is true, how can \\;\\\\\\;shock manufactures \\;\\\\\\;even ship a set of shocks without ruining them as I am relatively sure that some where along the line these shocks will be upside down? Also by installing this system it is obviously changing the angle of the shock. Isn't the added angle gonna make for a tad stiffer ride? I kinda like the concept simply because one is using the stock 13 inch shock, therefore not loosing an inch of travel, but is one \\;\\\\\\;in for a total change in suspension feel and performance? \\;\\\\\\;Opinions please???
 \\;
The instructions state never to tip a shock upside down as oil can seep into the air chambers ruining the shock. If this is true, how can \\;\\\\\\;shock manufactures \\;\\\\\\;even ship a set of shocks without ruining them as I am relatively sure that some where along the line these shocks will be upside down? Also by installing this system it is obviously changing the angle of the shock. Isn't the added angle gonna make for a tad stiffer ride? I kinda like the concept simply because one is using the stock 13 inch shock, therefore not loosing an inch of travel, but is one \\;\\\\\\;in for a total change in suspension feel and performance? \\;\\\\\\;Opinions please???
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 79
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From:
RE: Making the Stock Shocks Better
Paul: Could you explain what these fittings are in a tad more detail? MPT? Barb? Compression fitting? Would a hardware guy know what I was talking about based on listed discription?
I got 2 ea. 1/8" mpt fitting with a 1/4" compressing fitting on the other end
I got 2 ea. 1/8" mpt fitting with a 3/16" barb that would slip into the hose...
1/4 od hose 4' long
 \\;
When you mentioned you installed the rear shock oil with a turkey baster, were you just filling that small space and then letting off pressure on the shock to suck oil in? Sounds like that in it's self could be an all day job sucking a fraction of and ounce at a time? Any faster way of filling? Do you have pictures you could email me of the fittings etc? Thanks for any possible help..
I got 2 ea. 1/8" mpt fitting with a 1/4" compressing fitting on the other end
I got 2 ea. 1/8" mpt fitting with a 3/16" barb that would slip into the hose...
1/4 od hose 4' long
 \\;
When you mentioned you installed the rear shock oil with a turkey baster, were you just filling that small space and then letting off pressure on the shock to suck oil in? Sounds like that in it's self could be an all day job sucking a fraction of and ounce at a time? Any faster way of filling? Do you have pictures you could email me of the fittings etc? Thanks for any possible help..
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
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From: Highspire Pa
For what it's worth:
I have read several forums where some individuals and race tuners are using Mobile 1 ATF in their shocks and forks. Naturally there is always the usual arguments over brands and types and all the usual comments from the various brand zealots. However, looking at the chart, there doesn't seem to be too much difference between the Torco RSF Medium recommended in this thread and Mobile 1 ATF and they are both synthetic oils, but Mobile 1 ATF is easier to find at the local auto parts store.
http://www.gasgasrider.org/html/susp-oil.htm
Torco RSF Shock Medium cSt @ 40C =32 cSt @ 100C=9.6
Mobil Mobil 1 ATF cSt @ 40C=35 cSt @ 100C=7.6
I have read several forums where some individuals and race tuners are using Mobile 1 ATF in their shocks and forks. Naturally there is always the usual arguments over brands and types and all the usual comments from the various brand zealots. However, looking at the chart, there doesn't seem to be too much difference between the Torco RSF Medium recommended in this thread and Mobile 1 ATF and they are both synthetic oils, but Mobile 1 ATF is easier to find at the local auto parts store.
http://www.gasgasrider.org/html/susp-oil.htm
Torco RSF Shock Medium cSt @ 40C =32 cSt @ 100C=9.6
Mobil Mobil 1 ATF cSt @ 40C=35 cSt @ 100C=7.6
Last edited by pajoe; Feb 7, 2009 at 05:17 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 3
From: murfreesboro tn.
i used silkolene race fork oil in a 15 wt . can be found at any metric dealer for around 18$ a qt.
ultranut if you have access to a press this is what i did
turn shock up side down with barb fitting and hose attached compress shoch oil will drain. continue until empty.
turn shock uprite. measure the proper amount 325 cc for 12" in to clear container with a lid. i used the old style ketchup squirters fro wally for about 1$. hold container above shock. compress shock and squeze bottle filling shock decompress and wipe down install and repeat for other shock
barb fitting found at any hardware store
ultranut if you have access to a press this is what i did
turn shock up side down with barb fitting and hose attached compress shoch oil will drain. continue until empty.
turn shock uprite. measure the proper amount 325 cc for 12" in to clear container with a lid. i used the old style ketchup squirters fro wally for about 1$. hold container above shock. compress shock and squeze bottle filling shock decompress and wipe down install and repeat for other shock
barb fitting found at any hardware store
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
I lost some oil in a set of shocks from an '09 I just purchased and did not want to wait to get enough oil to completely replace it so I topped them off using Harley fork oil. I filled them until they would hold no more, then put the fittings back in with the quick releases but no hoses hooked up. Afterwards, I stuck them in a press (upright) and compressed them until they were completely compressed and this forced all the excess oil out. My inaccurate food scale showed they were pretty close to the same so I put them on the bike and added air (30 lbs) . Overall, not as smooth as the Progressive 440 HD I took off but they did not bottom out as much. I want to experiment with different air pressure and may even try the Mobile 1 ATF.
The Progressive shocks still worked fine riding solo but not 2 up. I may try the progressive shocks again after I get them serviced by Progressive, perhaps there is something wrong with them - nice thing about progressive is they have a lifetime warranty. It may be my imagination but it seemed to help the front as well, before when the rears bottomed out the front would also bump but now neither is really hitting hard, but the overall ride is a little stiffer.
The Progressive shocks still worked fine riding solo but not 2 up. I may try the progressive shocks again after I get them serviced by Progressive, perhaps there is something wrong with them - nice thing about progressive is they have a lifetime warranty. It may be my imagination but it seemed to help the front as well, before when the rears bottomed out the front would also bump but now neither is really hitting hard, but the overall ride is a little stiffer.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: australia
I replaced mine with a 15 weight fork oil with 8 oz in each shock It a very firm jarring ride with 10 to 20 psi air in the shocks. I will try a 10 weight fork oil next week. The rocking motion works to drain each shock but its very slow. I refilled mine with a horse syringe pushed onto the short air line pipe
Last edited by hogbag07; Mar 13, 2009 at 11:25 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: australia
I took the wife for a ride today and the 15 weight oil was spot on for two up work with 20 psi in the shocks. I hit plenty of pot holes with no jarring or bottoming out. The bike felt higher in the back end giving it more ground clearance also I might give the 15 weight a couple more weeks to see how it feels solo
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Stage I
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1
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TexasBowhunter,
Just changed my shock oil to 10wt. fork oil with 11lbs. of air. The ride home from my buddies house was totally different, the ride is much more firmer and the bumps were smoothed out considerablely.
Thanks for the tip. Thikskn
PS: I used Bel-Ray fork oil.
Just changed my shock oil to 10wt. fork oil with 11lbs. of air. The ride home from my buddies house was totally different, the ride is much more firmer and the bumps were smoothed out considerablely.
Thanks for the tip. Thikskn
PS: I used Bel-Ray fork oil.
Last edited by thikskn; Apr 29, 2009 at 09:13 PM.
