Again my apologies for not updating more often. Family commitments have taken precedence and look like doing so so for a little while longer, please bear with me.
As most of you know I have been fighting a long war to try and get the suspension on Rhonnda soft and compliant instead of like a buckboard. I finally lashed out (it’s pretty hard to “lash out” when you’re on a pension) and took her to my local bike shop for them to get it right. Now, before anyone tells me that it’s a waste of money rebuilding a VFR rear shock because they just sack out again, I know. Reference my comment above about finances and you’ll see what I have chosen to go this route. $700 for a new Wilbers shock, for example, is just completely out of the question. So, even if the rebuilt shock last for 30k or so, I will be happy.
Anyway, I had planned a Putty Run on the weekend and I went and saw Gary and asked him of the bike would be back together for it and he said he was sure it would be. The shock had been sent to a company in Brisbane who he trusts and he was sure they would have it back in time.
Come Thursday and my “How’s it going?” call was dismal. The shock still hadn’t arrived. I called again at lunch time Friday and the news was the same.
So, the Putty run went ahead without me and I still don’t know when I am going to get my bike back. It’s not Gary’s fault, he’s done his best, but he’s dependent on the guys in Brisbane and he can’t do anything about that that.
I might add that it will HAVE to be back early this week as I plan to ride to Toowoomba on Thursday for the MotoStars round on the weekend!
Yes, it’s a First World problem, but it IS a problem.
Martino says
So what is it about rebuilding the stock VFR shock that makes it ‘sack out’ in a short period of time ?
Sacking out is generally what happens when a spring goes soft over time, so is it a spring problem, or the rebuild is simply a change of oil and a re-gas rather than a re-valve and new spring as well ?
Phil Hall says
Poor design, mate. The spring is OK but the internals of the shock absorber are just not up to the task. I’m not sure what’s involved in a rebuild but the common VFR knowledge is that a rebuilt shock unit will only give of its best for around 30k. That’s why most owners either buy a new after market one like a Wilbers or an Ohlins or, if the budget doesn’t allow that, a 929 Fireblade shock fits in (with some modifications) and gives a much greater degree of adjustability. At this stage my budget will only allow a rebuild of the existing one, I hope to find out this week if it has been successful.
on another subject altogether, I will be at Greer Park this weekend for Round 3 of MotoStars, it would be great if we could get together for a cuppa at some stage.