Photobucket killed the pics, could you please re post a pic with the final install?
Not much to it. I'll look for pictures this weekend.
You might just prowl through my PB account...
http://s67.photobucket.com/user/73sport/library/FZ6 2008?
Photobucket killed the pics, could you please re post a pic with the final install?
One more thing:
What about the cbr 600 f4i rear shock? According to what I've found online it has a 14.2 kg/mm spring rate (perfect for rider of 80-90 kg), and it's around 12" eye to eye long.
I'll search for a used one, as it seems a great option. No new springs, no spacers. It should just need a valve for recharging and a basic rebuild.
Here is the only documentation I could find of the f4i shock on the fz6:
https://www.sportbikes.net/forums/fz6-fz6r/298481-rear-shock-mod-long-term-test.html
I've spoken to a local parts guy and will try to meet him this week. If I'm lucky he'll also have an FZ6 shock and swing arm I could measure (reducing any downtime on my bike).
I'll try to file down the inside corners of the f4i shock nearing the swing arm (going around the rebound screw), as this should reduce the amount of filing need to be done on the swing arm.
Either way, I'm quite confident that resistance shouldn't be an issue. The maximum payload for 600cc bikes is around 180 kgs, and they leave at least some 20-30% margin; I'll never load this bike more than 160kg so even if removing a bit of material will eat through the safety margin, it'll still be on safe side.
My stock rear is absolutely roached (guess a 104k miles will do that) and needs a replacement. Since it needs replaced and a used F4i shock is about the same or less than any used FZ6 shocks I'm finding (on eBay at least), I'll be considering this. Notching the lower shock mount would be pretty easy with a bandsaw. Since I got this bike as a budget foray into sport touring I don't really want to throw much money at it in the event I turn around and sell off the bike after the first big trip. I also won't be riding super aggressively, my skill level just isn't there. Because of that I'm not going to R6 swap the front, just rebuild the forks and go with heavier oil (maybe play with oil levels too). So with that in mind would you recommend making this upgrade or would I be served as well by a good condition stock shock since I'm not really upgrading the front?I've now ridder over 1500km with this mod.
Overall I'd say that it's worth it, and a major improvement over the stock one, however I've found it VERY sensitive to adjustments, and it took some time to find the right balance (almost crashed at first).
Important warning: I do not recommend this mod for the street for riders under 80kgs.
There is quite a bit to say about it- I've already drafted some of it- can't promise you anything but I'll try to finish it this weekend.
Thanks for the feedback. All of those modifications are all something I can handle, I'm decently set up tool/fabrication wise and have easy access to bigger machining equipment when needed. I'm familiar with damper rod suspension operation, I think all but one bike has had it. My Bonneville has it and after altering oil weight and height I've made it much more compliant (I might have drilled out some of the holes in the damper rod on that bike, can't remember for sure though). Geared up I'm close to 77kg and am hoping to get that number back down closer to 70kg. So that spring is going to be on the firm side, which won't help the situation up front. Guess I'll stick with a stock shock. Thanks again.If you can live with the stock front end then it'd be easier to just get a "new" FZ6 OEM rear shock. To fit the f4i shock it takes a bit more work than just shaving the shock's mounts on a band saw. It also needs some shaving off the lower swingarm bracket, spacers for the top mount (it's thinner) and another bolt (different ID). AND you need to be +80kg. Which you probably aren't, as you mentioned that the stock spring rate is correct for you.
Better suspension isn't just for aggressive riding- proper suspension will benefit even a commuter. The thing with damper rod suspension is that all it does is pass oil through some holes in a metal rod, so no matter what you do to it, it's still shit, because as Gary explained, what will improve the low speed behavior will equally affect the high speed behavior, and vice versa. And if you're wandering- "progressive" springs won't do much either.
Cheapest route would be cartridge emulators (around 100 USD) + mounting the forks a few mm lower.
PM Inbound.My OEM shock only has 17000 miles on it. Want it Barney?