Universal rear shock absorber for chinese bike.

[mrpete]

Has anyone ever replaced their stock rear shock with a universal or OEM shock?

I have a HSUN 2007 VIVA enduro which I've owned for just a few years. I want to replace it's rear shock with one which has a higher preload rating. I've done all the measurements on the original shock but when I started my search a few days ago for a new one. I ran into measurement problems on shock lengths and eyes widths compared to my rear shock. I came upon a lot of rear shocks that had a length of 270-280mm and even some that have 300-335mm lengths that claim they are universal.:hmm: But I still worry about length and eye offset issues when replacing my original rear shock with another OEM or universal shock. :doh:

So, does anyone have a suggestion based on experience when buying a new one. Because frankly, I don't have time to do any upgrading to my frame in order to use another type of shock absorber. And buying another stock one defeats my purpose all together.

Thanks to all in advance for your help and suggestions.:thanks:

BTW, I claim this post for china!

[Weldangrind]

I've read several of the early posts on this forum (from before my time here) that point to a Yamaha R6 shock as a good choice. I've never tried it, so I have no first hand experience.

You could also ask Humanbeing for his opinion, since he can likely point to shocks in China that would fit and be better than the original.

[SpudRider]

I also seem to remember someone reporting he substituted a Yamaha, R6 shock absorber. However, I wasn't positive, so I waited for someone else to mention it first. ;)

[humanbeing]

FASTACE 's (100% owned by Taiwanese / Factory in Guangdong...) product quite popular in mainland China http://yueye023.taobao.com/search.htm?spm=a1z10.3-c.w4002-4889526223.35.5S3hVI&mid=w-4889526223-0&s_from=newHeader&ssid=s5-e&search_type=item&sourceId=tb.item&keyword=%BA%F3%BC%F5&orderType=price_asc .

[edtardo]

I put a yamaha R6 shock on my bike. It is longer than the stocker and had to compress it to make it fit. Rides real nice on the road and is pretty good for light off road duty.

[humanbeing]

I put a yamaha R6 shock on my bike...

R6 shock is ~300mm.

[Weldangrind]

I put a yamaha R6 shock on my bike. It is longer than the stocker and had to compress it to make it fit. Rides real nice on the road and is pretty good for light off road duty.

Did you start a thread on that? I can't recall..

Did you need to mod the bike at all to accept the R6 shock? Do you know which year your R6 shock is from?

[Weldangrind]

FASTACE 's (100% owned by Taiwanese / Factory in Guangdong...) product quite popular in mainland China http://yueye023.taobao.com/search.htm?spm=a1z10.3-c.w4002-4889526223.35.5S3hVI&mid=w-4889526223-0&s_from=newHeader&ssid=s5-e&search_type=item&sourceId=tb.item&keyword=%BA%F3%BC%F5&orderType=price_asc .

That link didn't work for me. I got a login screen and an image of a very scary baby.

[Weldangrind]

R6 shock is ~300mm.

I did some research on that before, and I think it depends on the year.

[edtardo]

I did not mod the bike. I had to use spring compressors to compress it enough to mount it. I bought a R6 shock off ebay that said it was for a 99-02. I got the idea after seeing this thread
http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=10197

[edtardo]

I also got info from red2003 and his mod

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=726&page=2

[SpudRider]

Thanks for providing the informative links, Ed. :)

[Weldangrind]

I did not mod the bike. I had to use spring compressors to compress it enough to mount it. I bought a R6 shock off ebay that said it was for a 99-02. I got the idea after seeing this thread
http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=10197

Thanks Ed. Got pics?

[edtardo]

I did not take any pics when I did the install, but went and took some when I got home. Hope these help

Here are the compressors I used
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/238_zpssygimmg5.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/238_zpssygimmg5.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/239_zps19h5f3ks.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/239_zps19h5f3ks.jpg.html)

Shock mounted on the bike
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/237_zpsznuco7hb.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/237_zpsznuco7hb.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/236_zpsqs6ncuvf.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/236_zpsqs6ncuvf.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/235_zpske8aniqm.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/235_zpske8aniqm.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/233_zpshkyafddy.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/233_zpshkyafddy.jpg.html)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/232_zps8mgdphfs.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/232_zps8mgdphfs.jpg.html)

and if anyone is interested my FMF power core 2 mod
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/242_zpsha4sc60y.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/242_zpsha4sc60y.jpg.html)

and the bike with the plastics I got frome Weld
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d127/satanikgod/241_zpsaito4xo2.jpg (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/satanikgod/media/241_zpsaito4xo2.jpg.html)

[SpudRider]

Thanks for taking the time to capture, and post the excellent photographs, Ed. :tup:

Did you get the spring compressors from Tusk, or somewhere else? Can you provide a link for them? I see the Yamaha R6 shock has adjustable rebound damping. :) Can you also adjust the compression damping? How do you like the performance of the R6 shock absorber?

[edtardo]

I got the compressors off of ebay for $27.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2054436.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0&_nkw=Motorcycle+shock+coil+spring+compressor+tool+ zinc+plated+heat+treated+universal&_sacat=0

The shock I have only has the one adjustment that I know of. I love how it handles on the road. My original shock would "boat" every time I hit a small bump (man hole covers and what not).

[SpudRider]

Thanks for the good report on the R6 shock. :tup:

Also, thanks for the eBay links to the spring compressors. :) I can save about $4 by ordering from eBay, instead of Rocky Mountain ATV. ;)

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/989/47186/Tusk-Shock-Spring-Compressor?term=tusk%20spring%20compressors

[Weldangrind]

Thanks Ed! Awesome pics.

It looks like you had to add washers for the right spacing, is that right? Otherwise, were the holes the right diameter?

[edtardo]

I did have to add washers to get the correct spacing. The top bolt is smaller diameter than what will fit the shock.

[Weldangrind]

Did you use a sleeve over the smaller bolt to compensate?

[edtardo]

The mount on the frame where the shock mounts, takes a smaller diameter bolt. I don't remember if the shock itself takes a smaller bolt or not. I haven't had any problems with it and have been using this set up for 2 years. I will note that I had to rebuild my bike since my frame broke in half. The original frame had the shock mounted on the top of the swing arm. The new frame had the mount for the lower linkage setup.

[Weldangrind]

Wow! When you say rebuild your frame, does that mean transfer everything to a new frame?

[mrpete]

Hey thanks all for your replies and comments. Overall, this seems daunting to me. If only the original manufacturer of the shock would of engraved a product number on it. This process would of been so much easier. But I have yet to find any product number or name on the shock. :shrug:

[edtardo]

Wow! When you say rebuild your frame, does that mean transfer everything to a new frame?

Yes, I just bought a new frame and transferred everything over.

[Weldangrind]

Hey thanks all for your replies and comments. Overall, this seems daunting to me. If only the original manufacturer of the shock would of engraved a product number on it. This process would of been so much easier. But I have yet to find any product number or name on the shock. :shrug:

It really was Ed to the rescue. Perhaps you can find a '99-'02 Yamaha R6 shock on CL or eBay. There are people parting out R6 bikes in my area quite often.

[Weldangrind]

Yes, I just bought a new frame and transferred everything over.

I seem to remember this discussion now. Did you take pics of the process? Did you discard the broken frame?

[recracer]

I also did an R6 shock . I do not remember from what year . Has the red spring , I believe to be softer or lower rate than the yellow spring . http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6661

[recracer]

just saw the pictures in that thread were gone

[recracer]

+1

[Weldangrind]

Thanks Ron! I had forgotten about your mod. I'm gonna keep my eyes open for an R6 shock as well.

[edtardo]

Weld I still have the frame, but it is garbage. Recracer I knew you had done the mod but I could find the thread lol.

[Weldangrind]

You don't think it could be welded back together? Must be some value in a titled frame.