Has Anyone Fitted an Aftermarket Rear Shock or Done any Fork Mods??

[chump]

Kinjane is right, of course. No need to remove the tank.

In order to access the bottom shock bolt for correct tightening you need to remove the lower linkage bolt. This allows the linkage to swing up exposing the lower shock bolt, which would otherwise be obstructed by the swingarm.

If you follow the procedure in the Yamaha service manual it all works ok.

 

[Kinjane]

Perhaps something has changed somewhere along the line but when I fitted a Nitron unit to my 2014 model I only needed to remove the two shock bolts and was able to torque them both afterwards.

 

[motorcycleboy]

We forgot to mention the different linkage bolt. ZX uses 10mm bolt when MT uses 12mm. So there are 2 options. Drill the holes for swingarm linkage by 2mm more or order a 10mm bolt with spacers from Suzuki (i think)...
Kinjane maybe know about..

As for settings i rewrite from kawasaki zx manual:
"Rear Shock Absorver

Rebound Damper Setting 2 turns out from the fully clockwise position (Usable Range: 0 - 2 1/2 turns out)
Compression Damper Setting:
High Speed 2 3/4 turns out from the fully clockwise position (Usable Range 0 - 5 1/2 turns out)
Low Speed 2 1/4 turns out from the fully clockwise position (Usable Range 0 - 4 1/2 turns out)
Spring Preload Setting Position:
Standard Spring length: 179 mm (7.05 in)
Usable Range Spring length: 173.5 - 191.5 mm (6.831 - 7.539 in.)
(stronger to weaker)
Gas Pressure 980 kPa (10 kgf/cm2, 142 psi, Non-adjustable)
The mentioned standard adjusting settings are for an average-build rider of 68kg (150 lb) with no passenger and no accesories
Hope this helps...

 

[Tracertastic]

Cheers Guys - with removing the tank I was more referring to adjusting the preload, not the installation. With the shock that installed it looks like the only way to adjust the preload (I go to Europe most yrs to hit the Alps or Pyrenees with luggage) will be to remove the tank and use a drift to to turn the adjuster.

Has anyone fitted the Andreani fork internals or another brand at a similar price range (circa £400 - £450) and if so what are your thoughts? I just need to decide if to go down the route of stiffer springs or full cartridge replacement!!

 

[chump]

Perhaps something has changed somewhere along the line but when I fitted a Nitron unit to my 2014 model I only needed to remove the two shock bolts and was able to torque them both afterwards.

I don't think you can get a torque wrench on the bottom bolt. Nothing has changed.

 

[Kinjane]

Seriously, the lower bolt becomes very accessible to enable the use of a torque wrench (when required) once the rear wheel is raised high enough.

 

[Shaun64]

Those who have fitted Andreani cartridges to their own bikes will tell you that they are a massive improvement over stock. They may not be perfect, and a suspension specialist may struggle to come to terms with "good enough", but they will be a big improvement.

Other suspension experts will tell you how wrong Ohlins can be, so it may be unwise to take the opinion of one specialist too seriously.

I just fitted an Ohlins shock and I'm so glad I did. What a massive difference. Not only does the bike not squat under power, but I can now accelerate through corners and still hold a line. It's a huge confidence boost and well worth the investment.

My next step is the front end. I will be fitting stiffer springs, probably from k-tech as they're £90 on the bay, and a GP Suspension revalve kit. It will not give me compression adjustment, but compression damping will be much closer to right. Rebound damping will also be much more controlled. Total cost about £250, maybe £300 inc springs.

I am very happy with my Andreani cartridges they have made a big improvement if they were shite I would say.I personally wouldn't bother just fitting just springs as they are not the problem it's the the rest of the components that are the problem plus there's only one damper rod fitted,I paid £420 for the Andreani cartridge fitting from reactive suspension in York , regards the rear shock I went for a K-tech razor R £600 it's very good.ive spent £1020 sorting my suspension which is a fair bit of money but if I sold the bike and sold the rear shock I could get at least £400 to £500 & £150-200 for the Andreani cartridges so if I got £600 back I would only be down £400 ,I know suspension fixes are not cheap but they transform the bike,look at the cash folks pay for an exhaust that will make no difference apart from abit more noise!

 

[chump]

Seriously, the lower bolt becomes very accessible to enable the use of a torque wrench (when required) once the rear wheel is raised high enough.

Didn't for me. I must have been pissed.

 

[cnk15]

I don't think you can get a torque wrench on the bottom bolt. Nothing has changed.

Torqued mine with a crow's foot and extension.

 

[chump]

Seriously, the lower bolt becomes very accessible to enable the use of a torque wrench (when required) once the rear wheel is raised high enough.

I can't have lifted the wheel high enough. I reckon I did it the way you describe on my first MT. I'm getting old and forgetting things!