Shock Life? Changing shock

[Goddo]

Hi there,

I was wondering if any of you have lost the rear skid shock on your VK?

My old man's VK has about 2200 miles on it, and the shock is toast.

My second question is, does anyone have a service manual. I'd like to know the correct procedure for re-installing the shock.

Thanks.

 

[wayne]

I had about 5000 mi on the 06 vk and no problems with the shock. You might try someone with the old vk 540 for the service manual as the suspension is the same

 

[vkrider]

I bought a service manual from this guy on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-VK10-Factory ... dZViewItem
Doesn't give any details on changing the shock though.

 

[maim]

the old vk540III had a proaction in the rear. i have not looked at the pro's yet that close but if it is one of the rebuildable ones you could send it out to get rebuilt, i removed the suspension on mine when i put the olins in. was not too bad of a job. there are instructions in the tec pages on how to remove a proaction and there are probably more posts relating to this on the 2 stroke side.

 

[Jack_Shaft]

Changing out the coil spring is probably the most challenging part, have your dealer take care of that part for you.

The rear shock change-out is pretty much the same procedure for all ProAction rear suspension Yamaha's; SRX, SXR, SX, Vmax XT, RX1, etc.

Just dive in, it's not that hard.

 

[Goddo]

I got the shock/spring out no problem. I'm wondering if it will be easy to go in. With the coil over bolted in, there is some spring tension there. Does it make it difficult to re-bolt those 2 flat arms back in place?

Is there a less expensive shock out there? Yamaha wants $360 + taxes in Canada. If it were me, and I was replacing the shock in my FX, I'd pay it, but my old man figures he's gonna find something cheaper (same length) and replace the shock and reuse the spring.

Thanks guys.

 

[ssian]

shock

I just got a shock rebuilt for my vmax for $50,

Does your VK have a alumium body shock? if so you can rebuild it.

ian

 

[Jack_Shaft]

The VK Pro shocks, the same as the old VK540 III shocks for years, are non rebuildable.

 

[Goddo]

Does anyone know of an alternative to OEM replacement.

The pro gas sold by both Kimpex and Motovan has been discontinued.

Someone mentioned that a SX Viper shock might fit.

The specs on the Kimpex model were 18.25 open and 12.5. I'm wondering if I couldn't find a FOX zero pro shock. Something that can be rebuilt.

Does anyone know?

Thanks,

CG

 

[maim]

sx viper one off of ebay would work. did you check the classifieds on this site for a used rx1 warrior sxr or viper shock.

i would offer to sell you mine but i am keeping mine for a spare as shocks always seen to go in the middle of rideing season.

 

[Jack_Shaft]

Shock valving on a regular trail sled shock will be way softer than what is on a VK Pro, be ready for mucho bottoming.

 

[Goddo]

sx viper one off of ebay would work. did you check the classifieds on this site for a used rx1 warrior sxr or viper shock.

i would offer to sell you mine but i am keeping mine for a spare as shocks always seen to go in the middle of rideing season.

I contacted Shocktec, and Frank is going to rebuild a Viper shock for me to my desired specs. The cost is a little less than OEM replacement and when the shock decides to quit, I can get it rebuilt again for much less.

The sled is my dad's. He weighs only 175lbs but we are having the shock valved for 225 to compensate for the added weight of the VK Pro and the loads that he carries.

I think the mistake he made the first time was riding 2-up without adding any pre-load to the spring. I've told him he has to adjust his suspension.

I still can't get him to ride my FX Nytro LOL.

 

[bjowett]

The stock spring rate for the VK is listed at 6.37 kg/mm or about 357 lb/in... shouldn't be too hard to valve for that.

 

[Goddo]

Finally got the new(rebuilt) shock and installed it last night. The shock came with a spring, but we decided it would be best to go with the VK Spring as it is so much heavier than the Viper spring.

My old man hasn't ridden it yet, but it looks as though the Viper shock will be a great alternative to OEM and with the added bonus that it is rebuildable.

Thanks to Frank at Shocktec for tracking down and rebuilding the Viper shock.

 

[wayne]

Goddo, could you let me know how this new shock works and if it makes for a better ride. I have an 08 vk pro(upgraded from the 06 to get hi/lo) and I find the suspension is rather stiff.
Thanks in advance