New GK shocks !!

[salty_monk]

You could try Works performance in Woodland hills I hear they are good guys to work with...

[shirazdrum]

You could try Works performance in Woodland hills I hear they are good guys to work with...

Thanks man, I'll call all these guys on Monday to see what they can come up with. The problem is the shipping them down here, as the customs will charge just as much as the price of the product. The shinier they are the more tax they put on it

[TheCafeKid]

Thanks man, I'll call all these guys on Monday to see what they can come up with. The problem is the shipping them down here, as the customs will charge just as much as the price of the product. The shinier they are the more tax they put on it

When ya get back stateside, I'd really like to chat with you about how you converted those monoshocks over. It'd be trick to be able to do that, and mono shocks with more features at reasonable prices are a whole lot easier to come by now days than twin shocks with the same features...
If I could convert a set of monos with great springs and re-valve able bodies to twins for my GS projects and my ZRX that'd be pretty bitchin. As it stands now, at least with the Rex, I could send the stock KYB piggy backs off to racetech for re-valving and new springs for about $800, or spend a few hundred more for Works or Ohlins...neither of which is affordable right now. But if it's a matter of finding a couple of take off GSXR monos and having some welding done and tossing whatever grade springs on em...what much more gooderer..

[shirazdrum]

I'll be glad to. If I remember correctly, I filmed quite a bit when we were making theses shocks, I’ll see what I have and will put a video together.

As you know, mono-shocks have an open end so the first thing you wanna do is to find a correct end for it. The other end most likely will have a large hole as well so bushing it is the way to go.

We had to cut off the top-end and offset it because it wouldn't line up with the mount so that's another thing you need to look into. Other than that, it will be just a trial and error to find the perfect balance between the valve and oil viscosity. If it's somewhat soft to begin with, (you can compress it with your hands or feet), changing the viscosity should get you on the right track, otherwise you need to drill the oil valve incrementally larger to get it where you like it.
For the spring adjustment, we cut three grooves in the body for the pin to sit on. So I can take off the spring (very hard and dangerous work with only one person without a press) and move the lock system up or down. That’s how I adjust it for two up or single long rides.
If you have an access to a lathe, a press and a decent welder, there's no reason to pay 800 bucks for a set when you can make them cheap.

Cheers,

Chris

[TheCafeKid]

I'll be glad to. If I remember correctly, I filmed quite a bit when we were making theses shocks, I’ll see what I have and will put a video together.

As you know, mono-shocks have an open end so the first thing you wanna do is to find a correct end for it. The other end most likely will have a large hole as well so bushing it is the way to go.

We had to cut off the top-end and offset it because it wouldn't line up with the mount so that's another thing you need to look into. Other than that, it will be just a trial and error to find the perfect balance between the valve and oil viscosity. If it's somewhat soft to begin with, (you can compress it with your hands or feet), changing the viscosity should get you on the right track, otherwise you need to drill the oil valve incrementally larger to get it where you like it.
For the spring adjustment, we cut three grooves in the body for the pin to sit on. So I can take off the spring (very hard and dangerous work with only one person without a press) and move the lock system up or down. That’s how I adjust it for two up or single long rides.
If you have an access to a lathe, a press and a decent welder, there's no reason to pay 800 bucks for a set when you can make them cheap.

Cheers,

Chris

Well I'll look forward to picking your brain about that more when you have time

I am not sure what you used (what model shocks) but many of the modern monos will have both rebound and compression damping valves that are adjustable with knobs or screws or whatever, and then your standard preload ramps or threaded adjusters or whatever. A machinist I have access to. No CNC equipment but he can work magic you'd swear was done by computer on standard mills and lathes. And he's a damn good welder on top of that. The bonus is that he used to build and work on road race bikes back in the good ol days before everything became computer controlled and FI so he knows his stuff.
Thiscould be a fine remedy to having great shocks without taking out a second mortgage if it works
If you have any larger pics of your shocks I'd love to see em to see exactly what you did with the preload adjuster.
Thanks again Chris
TCK

[shirazdrum]

The shocks that we used were from a 250cc Taiwanese dirt bike, very primitive setup indeed. I uploaded two video clips that show somewhat where the retainer clip goes and close up of the shocks. Also two pictures in higher resolution. Hope that helps.

And sorry again to Larry for hijacking his post.

you can download these from here:

http://motorcyclememoir.com/wp-content/tck/

[Larry D]

No problem, Chris. Hope you get your shock situation sorted out.

Just a quick report....you can install shocks on a GK without dropping the exhaust, they went on pretty easily.

.....after pulling my carbs and cleaning out the pilot jets ....I went on a nice 95 mile ride, the shocks rode nicely with no issues, they felt nice and solid without being to stiff. I didn't take the wife to do a two-up test as I thought it woudf be a good idea to do the intial ride without her. The only difficulty I can see will be using the spring wrench, the side boxes are going to be in the way. All in all, I'm very happy.

[Bonehead]

You could try Works performance in Woodland hills I hear they are good guys to work with...

I live 5 miles from these guys and had no idea Time to make a visit and see if I can get some cheap goods

oops, I just revived an old thread. Oh well

[salty_monk]

Works are not cheap (unless you compare them to Ohlins or Racetech in which case they start to look reasonable) but the ones I have on my 1000 work great