Shocks, Forks & Bushes

[VeeMiG]

Hello, everyone.

I’m new to the forum. I have a dark blue Firestorm. It’s my sole form of transport and i’ve ridden it come rain or shine for the past year.
I just took it in for its MOT yesterday. It failed for three reasons:

1. Rear shock absorber has inadequate damping effect.
2. Offside front shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil.
3. Lower (lower triangle rear bush) rear suspension bush has excessive free play.

In case you hadn’t guessed, the shock is a standard Showa one. As far as the suspension goes, would it be smarter to upgrade it rather than buy another standard shock (probably from Ebay, breakers or David Silver Spares)? Also, how much more would it cost to upgrade my suspension?

I don’t have a big budget so bang for buck is what i’m looking for, I suppose. Would Roger D be a good man to see about this? Are there any decent aftermarket shocks that don’t cost too much?

I need advice please...

[benny hedges]

you can pick up another showa shock for 50 quid on ebay - or less if you're lucky.
as for the damping, ive just ordered a progressive rear spring from ftr.
should do the job nicely for less than £100

shock bushes are consumable and will need changing at some time or other.
good luck getting the swing arm bolt out - the bush has failed cos it's never been greased.
when you get your new shock and bushes, might be wise to invest in a rear hugger to protect it from shite.
be sure to grease the bushes and bolt when you put it together, and the linkage etc.

front fork seals are easy enough to do yourself - check for pitting in the chrome though - cheaper to replace them on ebay than get them rechromed.
beware some go for like 250+ - wait for a fair priced set, but be sure to get the seller to guarantee no rust / pitting.

[vtrbarmy]

"Lower (lower triangle rear bush) rear suspension bush has excessive free play"

Yep same had gone on my Storm when I bought it. Can be a bugger to get out. In the end I had to remove the swing arm, took the nut off the end of the bolt which passes through the triangle - and would move? Would it heck. Plenty of WD40 and put a long bar on the end of the allen key and eventually she started to move, Nut back on other end, some gentle taps with a rubber mallet and about 30 mins later out she popped.

As benny says, the guy before hadn't greased it up (don't think ANYONE had since it was purchased 13 years ago!), once out used the bolt to tap the centre spigot out as jammed in - no wonder when it did come out, one side the taper roller bearing was missing many of the rollers......about £60 all in for Honda dealer to remove, supply and fit bearings (just in the triangle piece) - ouch.

But so much better now it's done!

[Wicky]

Time to get the spanners out, This thread should be useful

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 31&t=11809

and my experience last year rebuilding the rear end

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=12310

[VeeMiG]

... as for the damping, ive just ordered a progressive rear spring from ftr.
should do the job nicely for less than £100

That sounds like a good option (if I understand correctly), I assume you mean re-springing the original rear shock? Is it just the spring you've ordered and if so who's re-springing it for you? How much, etc and can you post me a link?

... Or is it an entire rear shock you've ordered for less than £100? If so that sounds like a bargain.

Thanks

[benny hedges]

the original showa shock is ok - i'm just re-springing it myself to improve handling.
not a big job......
the progressive rear spring is here - http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=16390
there's a link there to ftr suspension who are agents for yacugar.

there's 2 guys breaking storms on here so might be worth asking what they want for the rear shock

[vtrbarmy]

FTR Suspension Excellent company, they know exactly what they are about and friendly too.

http://www.ftrsuspension.co.uk/home.htm