Odd action on DRZe shock

[djchan]

I'm slowly turning my cheapo DRZe into a keeper and it's time to turn to the suspension. I'm 193 naked so I know I need heavier springs front and rear. But - when I sit on the bike the rear compresses normally for 2-3" and then seems to abruptly get much stiffer. Feels like I'm bottoming out when I'm nowhere near actually bottoming out. I'm wondering if the swingarm and other suspension components are rusty/worn and need to be replaced. I'll find out when I tear it apart but just wondering if that's a common characteristic when rebuild is needed?

Thanks

Dean

[William1]

The shock you have may well need servicing. Action like you describe is typical when some of the damping fluid has leaked out.

[djchan]

Thanks William - I was hoping that was NOT the case but I knew it was a possibility. Never serviced a shock before. Looks like I get to learn a new skill.

[Ryan Nelson]

Send it off - I dont know if I'd want to try to service a rear shock myself.

[William1]

You can do most of the servicing yourself without special tools though they certainly make life easier. You will have to find a shop to recharge it with nitrogen though.

As Ryan states, send it off, I do.

[djchan]

Thanks guys. I had already done a search and now am looking for a suspension shop in Maine. Any Mainers have good experiences?

[Erik Marquez]

The shock is not all that complicated, but is much easier once you have done a few.

For sure you would have to find a shop to charge the shock.. Most only get a few bucks to do so.

If your not sure, then send it off to a suspension shop. The shock is Small enough it can be sent via mail to any shop you want. John Curea of MX-Tech East Coast Suspension is a good choice if you want to go non local.

[Yokomo]

Can you put air in the rear shock?

[Erik Marquez]

Can you put air in the rear shock?

No, not stable

[RetroRanger]

hey DJ Factory connection is right in NH

you can check out their website here

http://www.factoryconnection.com/index2.htm

[DrzDick]

Dam - I'm just getting my 2000 DRZ E out of storage and the suspension is doing something similar. It still has a fair bit of travel but reaches a point where it seem to suddenly get tougher.

Could that be normal or is it same as above?

I was going to borrow somebody to help lean on the rear to see if it will go past this stiff point - could that cause harm?

[djchan]

Dick - that's mine as well. I can continue to compress the shock/spring but there's a discontinuity in the rate. Thanks to all for the input.

Dean

[William1]

Before you remove you shock from your bikes, unscrew the spring adjusters to remove all tension from the spring. Once the shock is out/off the bike, You can easily remove the spring. Work the shock. If the damping does not feel consistent, then you know for certain, you have to get the shock serviced.

[Roadracer Al]

I didn't notice the OP mentioning anything about the condition of the shock linkage & swing arm bearings. It's cheap and easy to clean, inspect, and re-lube all your bearings & bushings to ensure nothing is corroded and binding.

[DrzDick]

Yeh, that was my plan. I was going to wind out the spring and force the full travel of the shock while still on the bike. Don't think I'm going to need to now.?

After whipping off he CRD tail pipe to fit my MCCT I noticed that this newly installed pipe is fowling on the rear spring. ? I put the seat back on and jumped on her a few times and the travel seems to be back to how it should be - so for me I think it was the external obstruction causing the issue.

I'll reassemble it after work and if needed the tail pipe tube will be gaining a dent to give more clearence:bonk:

[DrzDick]

I didn't notice the OP mentioning anything about the condition of the shock linkage & swing arm bearings. It's cheap and easy to clean, inspect, and re-lube all your bearings & bushings to ensure nothing is corroded and binding.

If it's me you mean then yes, the linkages were very dry. The grease was turning to oil and dripping out of some of them. I tried quickly to removed the main trailing arm bolt but no joy - way too tight. So for now I just forced grease into the nipples. I can tell you now that this hadn't been done much in the past.

I've owned the bike for a few years now but haven't ridden very often and not in bad/wet conditions. Each grease point took what seemed like a maximum amount of grease to fill the channels. I must have emptied half of my grease gun into them!

I'll keep an eye on it after the exhaust is refitted but in a few months I plan a massive maintenance session and that's when the rear suspension will be broken down and inspected.