Shock Help

[brewsy]

All,
anybody ever changed the spring on a Fox Twin Clicker?
I just got mine back from service, which was nice.



But I want to change the spring to a heavier one (thanks JD). Problem is that it looks like the spring collars have to come off to remove the spring and the reservoir comes out the side of the body and will block them.
Is there anyway to get it off the bottom?
Idea's appreciated.

[MrDude_1]

im 90% sure you need to discharge the shock, take the fitting off...

then swap springs, screw the fitting back in, and re-charge it..

[brewsy]

Shite,
thats exactly what I thought but I was hoping you wouldn't say that!!!

Anybody know a good suspension place in NYC??
Otherwise I'll be sticking with the stock 1000lb spring...

[MrDude_1]

Shite,
thats exactly what I thought but I was hoping you wouldn't say that!!!

Anybody know a good suspension place in NYC??
Otherwise I'll be sticking with the stock 1000lb spring...

look in the yellowpages for a 4x4 shop.
they'll have the tanks of nitrogen to recharge the shock.... the shocks they use are basiclly identical... just a little longer.. lol.

[tkm433]

Shite,
thats exactly what I thought but I was hoping you wouldn't say that!!!

Anybody know a good suspension place in NYC??
Otherwise I'll be sticking with the stock 1000lb spring...

Your best bet is to call Fox being that they made and sold and serviced the shock. Second maybe a friendly phone call to Hord since he knows his stuff and being that he sold you the spring I would guess that he would know the answer for sure.

All of the quality motorcycle shocks that I have seen or owned were able to remove the spring with out any service to the shock. In some cases I needed a spring compressor but was still able to remove the spring without openning the shock.


Check the bottom end of your shock to see if it has a slotted spring retainer. The lower spring retainer in most cases is slotted so that when you undo the spring preload adjuster rings as far as they will go the spring will be loose on the shock to the point that you can remove the slotted lower spring retainer and the spring. In the case of the Hawk with such a stiff spring you might need to compress the spring in a safe manor such as a set of spring compressors or similar tool.

If you look at your shock and were the spring rest next to the rubber bottom out bumper you will be able to tell if the lower spring retainer is slotted.

If Fox made their shock so that you would have to recharge it every time you decided to change spring rates then they designed a piece of crap shock.

[Crash]

Well Fox does make a piece of crap shock but that's not the point. I agree the collar should be slotted but still for the price of a rebuild (and an expert opinion) I would have it serviced other wise it may not be any better than the stock unit. They tend to be severly lacking in compression dampening even when fresh.

Send it to GMD Computrack New York (which is actually in West Haven, CT). Mike will be happy to service your shock and swap out your spring. Their number is 203-876-2477.

Also I have a few aftermarket springs if anyone is looking for one.

[jaysun0ne]

what about the other side what does that look like?

[Hordpower]

The spring comes off via the bottom. Turn the preload adjusters all the way up, then push up on the bottom spring cup. I think they use a circlip to retain the cup.

J.D.

[brewsy]

JD,
if you were a bird (and were good looking and lived in New York) I could kiss you....



Cheers for that.
I had as good a look as I could without the spring being loose but couldn't see that circlip.
Used a big screwdriver to release the locking ring but found I was chewing up the ally too much on the actual preload adjuster.
Just awaiting delivery of a proper little hooking tool thing and I'll hopefully be in the 'correct rate for your weight' spring club!!

Sweeeett

[brewsy]

Wahay!!!

New spring installed.
1300lbs per inch of loveliness!!!!

[MrDude_1]

The spring comes off via the bottom. Turn the preload adjusters all the way up, then push up on the bottom spring cup. I think they use a circlip to retain the cup.

J.D.

cool.. i learned something new too.

[LeftRightLeftThrottle]

Marc,

You sent your shock to fox for servicing? Dunno if i need a service but the rubber bumper thingie is rotting away. I'm assuming I have the standard fox spring (bright orange) I weigh about 190, should I get a stiffer spring? Not that I'd know from riding, I felt like I was on rails at the track.

[brewsy]

LRLT,
(apart from the cost) a service can never hurt.
Any shocks performance starts to tail off after time due to oil contamination, dirt and rubber going off etc.
I felt mine needed doing as it felt like a pogo stick i.e. no damping, felt way too soft for my liking (also around 190lbs without gear) and the previous owner when explaining the shock was telling me how you could pump it up from the garage air line!!
Its a NITROGEN shock FFS......
They have replaced that bump stop bit and a load of valving and rubber bits.
The clickers now feel 'clickier' and actually have a stop whereas before they just span and span.
I have always preferred a slightly harder rear end (fnaaargh) and generally prefer a sportier feel to the bike.
If I want to go touring I'll get a Bimmer or some such!!

If youre happy on the standard spring then dont change but if you can afford the time/effort/money go for a service.

Marc

[SkinnE]

Marc,

re your question in another post about aftermarket shocks and their effect on chain tension, you may need considerably more slack, depending upon how much you raise the ride height. Before you fit your shock, with no shock on, jack your swingarm up until the pivot and axle line up with the front sprocket. Set your chain tension to "perfect" here, and carry on. After fitting the shock, you can take a reference measurement at max extension, and use this in the future.

Eric

[DefTrap]

Mine's got a lengthened Hagon shock with a, IIRC, 1500lbsqin spring on it. Stiffer is better. Mind, I am 15st in my skids.