VTR Rear shock mod

[jpvitter]

Hey there fellow stormers,

I'm JP & I'm from Vancouver BC Canada & this is my first post. After some thorough searching I thought I should post my rear shock mod that I completed today.

I came by my vtr through a classified ad, and she needed some love badly! Suffice it to say the factory shock has left me wanting. I'd heard that the f4i circa 2000-2004 (remote resivoir) model would bolt up, well not quite.

The f4i shock is slightly shorter than the vitters & you'll need to grind off the stock upper Clevis bolt & install a much longer bolt of exact diameter. You'll actually have to drill a new hole through the Clevis saddle since the stocker is tac welded in. Part of the reason for the extra length bolt is to add some ride height. Insert your choice of spacers... I added approximately 8mm of lift. Once the bolt is on, it's pretty much bolt up at that point. If you're not aware you'll need to remove your stock or slip on cans as well as the front header & shifter to get the stocker out. Have an extra set of exhaust gaskets (stock Honda item) on hand as well. Front paddock stand & jack (for under the oil sump) to lift your girl's front while letting the a$$ down. Drop the forks 5mm, heavier rate springs, and fresh fork oil & the 996 is ready to canyon carve again.

I almost forgot... Once the f4i shock is in, adjusting spring preload is next to impossible. Have a really good idea of what you're going to need PRIOR to install....

Hope this helps others give your 996 a modern cheap suspension upgrade!! I picked up my f4i shock up from a local biker parts store for $50 cdn. Bout £36? All in took about 90 minutes with grinding & fiddling around.

Cheers,

Jp

[Kev L]

Welcome to the forum fella. Interesting first post

[mik_str]

The other option is to send it (F4i shock) to Jamie Daugherty (member of the Superhawk forum) who can lenghten it (adds extension to bottom mount) as well as valve and spring it for your weight and riding style, all for a fairly modest fee.....

P.S. Greetings to a fellow Canuck.....

[popkat]

Hello

When i swapped my shock the only thing i took off was the lower shock linkage, bit fiddly but no need to take all the pipes off.

[AMCQ46]

When i swapped my shock the only thing i took off was the lower shock linkage, bit fiddly but no need to take all the pipes off.

Yup that's same as I do, in and out quite easy even with the remote preload adjuster

[jpvitter]

Well I do live in Canada & like doing things the hard way! I'll definitely mess with the bottom linkage next time!!

thanks for the note!

jp