Penske Shock Group Buy: IT'S ON!

[Karson]

That's my plan - I sent him the specs of what my wife and i weighed with gear and luggage and am having it sprung with that. If I can't stand the way it feels/handles with it maybe being oversprung (I doubt it) solo, then I'll get a second spring before long trips.

These aftermarket shock/springs are really amazing on a bike and I think once you actually get one bolted up, all your worries will go away. "Perfect" is a subjective word, I'm just hoping for a better two-up experience and am confident I can dial it in for solo rides as well.

 

[avc8130]

These aftermarket shock/springs are really amazing on a bike and I think once you actually get one bolted up, all your worries will go away.

EXACTLY!

Most people seem to over think these things. Leave the thinking to the experts. Tell Nick what you do to ride and get the shock on the bike. The Penske is so much better than stock there is no way to be unhappy.

ac

 

[coastie]

I can feel the money slipping from my wallet as i read ::025::

 

[swampyvt]

Re: Re: Penske Shock Group Buy: IT'S ON!

I can feel the money slipping from my wallet as i read ::025::

It is worth every penny tho.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[spklbuk]

Re: Re: Penske Shock Group Buy: IT'S ON!

It is worth every penny tho.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

::008:: ::26::

 

[fredz43]

Something that might save others a bit of confusion when setting the compression on the 8983 is to clarify the direction to turn the adjustment knob. The manual does not specifically address setting compression on the 8983, but does have page 11 relating to the 8986 and page 13 relating to the 8987, which have both high and low speed compression adjustments. There they say "When making adjustments to the high speed adjuster, start at the full soft setting (adjuster wound all the way in against the reservoir body) counting clicks until full firm." DO NOT STOP READING AT THIS POINT, AS I DID, IF YOU HAVE THE 8983! The next sentence says "When adjusting low speed, start at the full firm setting (adjuster wound all the way in against the high speed adjuster) counting clicks toward full soft." That last sentance corresponds to page 5, where it says that to go softer on compression, go counter clockwise, which also agrees with the + and - signs on the compression reservoir.

In my excitement to try mine out, I read the first sentence, about starting at the full soft setting with the adjuster would all the way in, not realizing that this was only for the dual compression models. Off I went for a test ride and although it felt some improvement over my stock shock, I felt that it had too much compression damping and I was a bit disappointed. In an email to Buckeye56 about this, he mentioned the + and - marks on the reservoir indicated that the knob should be turned CCW for full soft, not CW against the reservoir. D'oh! That made more sense and agreed with compression adjusting on other shocks that I have had. I did that and oh my, what a transformation! This is what I was looking for. In my later adjustments I am now 5 clicks from full soft on the compression damping and 11 clicks from soft on rebound, with 55 mm sag and I am very happy with it. A more compliant, yet controllable ride on unimproved roads is what I was looking for and I now have it. I will still do a bit of experimenting with my settings, and will have to find the sweet spot when I have both hard side bags and the soft top loaded for touring.

BTW, I don't see any markings on my spring, but Nick says it is the 750 pound one. I weigh 185-190 in street clothes and gave Nick the spec of 215 in riding clothes, which includes the soft tailpack with tools, etc that is always on my bike. I told him that I ride this way 90% of the time that way and have luggage on the other 10% of the time.

 

[spklbuk]

BTW, I don't see any markings on my spring

No readily visible on mine either. But I'll keep looking.

 

[avc8130]

No readily visible on mine either. But I'll keep looking.

Depending on the brand (of spring) some are actually etched into the ground end. That wouldn't be visible once the spring is installed.

ac

 

[Karson]

Man I'm excited to get this in...I think I've gone through this thread a half dozen times just to scratch the itch! ::017::

 

[Manic]

ACV8130, PM sent.

 

[3putt]

First, thanks AV for getting the leg work in on this setup with Penske. I normally just go with Ohlins, and tempted to do so, but have decided to go with this setup. I am gonna get the fork kit and 8983 shock plus new seals. Not as cheap as you guys, but I am ready for a better ride.

Just wanted to make sure that all folks with this upgrade are happy and no problems.

 

[Karson]

i was in your same boat man, and ultimately sprung to do the rear now and the front maybe this winter.

how are you doing your fronts? are you sending the forks to nick, or do you have a shop in your area to do the install?

 

[avc8130]

First, thanks AV for getting the leg work in on this setup with Penske. I normally just go with Ohlins, and tempted to do so, but have decided to go with this setup. I am gonna get the fork kit and 8983 shock plus new seals. Not as cheap as you guys, but I am ready for a better ride.

Just wanted to make sure that all folks with this upgrade are happy and no problems.

Congrats! I hope you told Nick I sent you!

ac

 

[3putt]

I will do the forks myself, have already changed the springs last summer to .95 and we will go with .90, test then if needed I can add one of the .95s and have a .925. Nick thinks I am oversprung and I tend to agree, but pretty used to it. Worked great with load to Alaska and 2up in Co couple of weeks ago, but now that I am home it is a bit stiff.

We will try 700lb on the shock, Nick found that the OEM is less than the 733lb published by Yamaha. We shall see, I am on an 800lb currently. If that proves too light, will opt for the 750 lb.

And yes, I did tell him AV sent me. Thanks.

 

[Dallara]

~

Well, I'm about to be a happy camper!!! ::012::

Based on the info in this thread and some others I began corresponding with Nick Stolten at Stoltec Moto about a month ago. It was a most enjoyable exchange, and not only did I discover that Nick and I shared a lot of common interests, but more importantly that he was extremely knowledgeable, experienced, ethical, and clearly possessed a desire to offer only the very best in customer service. After settling on the direction we both determined was the best for my desired results he ordered up a Penske shock and Hyperco rear spring for me along with some Penske fork valves and Hyperco springs for the forks. Once he knew all those items were heading his way from Penske I pulled my forks, packed 'em in an aluminum gun case, and trotted them down to Fed-Ex so they could make the trip to Nick's shop in Pennsylvania...

Fed-Ex caused us both a couple of tense moments and unnecessary headaches, and once he got the forks opened up someone at Yamaha added to his work load by being overly zealous staking in one of the original OEM damper valves... But after those hiccups all went pretty smooth and easy, and now my rebuilt, revalved, resprung forks, and new rear shock and spring are on their way back here to South Texas. Due date is Friday, and with any luck I'll have it all back together come next week!!! ::008::

Gonna' be extra good fun, too, as at the same time I have inspected, re-greased, and properly torqued down the steering head bearings, am replacing the brake pads front & rear, and I'll have fresh, brand-new rubber on it fore & aft, too. With 21,000 miles on my "Texas Tenere" it was time for most of these of these items, though both the brakes and this last set of tires could have gone some more miles before replacement.

New suspension, new brakes, and new skins should make the bike tons of fun on my trip up through Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri next month!!! ::001::

Nick has been an absolute joy to deal with... Terrific communication, logical and experienced suggestions, dedicated extra effort, speedy work, great customer service, and genuine professionalism. What more could you ask for? I can't wait to try out his handiwork. ::26::

Thanks to avc8130 for putting the original group buy together and informing us all about Nick Stolten and his suspension work! ::008::

Dallara



~

 

[Buckeye56]

Dallara be sure to let us know how the fork mods work. I would like to do that this winter and Nick's kit is a more affordable option.

 

[snakebitten]

I am so ready for your ride report!

But I don't know why? I already know what you are gonna say. LOL

So the gun case was the right idea? Does it have to be Aluminum?

 

[Dallara]

I am so ready for your ride report!

But I don't know why? I already know what you are gonna say. LOL

So the gun case was the right idea? Does it have to be Aluminum?

Aluminum one was the toughest one I had!!!

Biggest, heaviest, most expensive to ship 'em in, too, but I wanted to make damn sure they made it there and back unscathed!!!

Fed-Ex says they arrive tomorrow (Friday)!!! ::012::

Dallara



~

 

[The Rotund One]

I've successfully shipped fork tube and leg assemblies in that thick, white PVC pipe with caps. The heavy stuff, like they put underground. FWIW....

 

[Manic]

Got my shock yesterday! Mounting it up today!!!

Thanks Nick!