Penske Shock Group Buy: IT'S ON!

[avc8130]

Ok, I just got back from a 2 week trip and my Penske shock is here. What is the black bracket thingy that is included?

That is a std Penske reservoir bracket. Most of the guys haven't used it. Instead we just used the hose clamps to mount the reservoir to the sub frame.

If you can come up with a nice way to use it, post some pics!

ac

 

[fredz43]

That is a std Penske reservoir bracket. Most of the guys haven't used it. Instead we just used the hose clamps to mount the reservoir to the sub frame.

If you can come up with a nice way to use it, post some pics!

ac

Thanks.

 

[Karson]

Hindsight's 20/20 - but I wish I had gotten in on the group buy. The handful of folks that jumped in - ENJOY! ::010:: ::010::

 

[avc8130]

Hindsight's 20/20 - but I wish I had gotten in on the group buy. The handful of folks that jumped in - ENJOY! ::010:: ::010::

You're in luck. The "Group Buy" may be over, but Stoltec told me he still plans to offer special forum pricing.

PM sent!

ac

 

[Karson]

Sent in my order form - looking forward to working with them!

 

[fredz43]

Ok, I am installing this shock and have had it out 3 times, as I thought I must have overlooked something. Just one question then. With the shock in place and using the preload setting tool, does the shock rotate slightly as you tighten the preload collar? I have never seen a shock do this, which has caused me to stop and take another look at everything.

I was wondering if it is related to the ride height lock down nut not being properly tightemed? I have tightened as best as I could, considering that if you tighten it down very tight, but not lined up so that the top mount is lined up, you will have a problem getting the top mount in place. Also the instructions show one lock nut, but as can be seen in pics in this thread, there is a black nut and a silver nut. Which is tightened and is it tightened upward toward the shock body or downward toward the lower nut?

I had it in place enough to find out that you cannot adjust the small compression damping knob by hand, as it takes a bit of force and is located very close to the subframe. I can reach it with a 13 mm socket on an extension, which I already have in my tool kit, so that isn't a problem. I would like to hear from others that have theirs installed concerning the rotation of the shock body during preload adjustment, though.

Thanks.

 

[fredz43]

Ok, I guess I answered my own question after removing the shock again. The ride height was said to be adjusted to OEM height, but it wasn't locked down. I was finally able to find two thin 1 inch open end wrenches so that I could tighten the silver lock nut up against the black one, while making sure that the top bracket was still in line. That locked the bottom bracket in place. That being done, I slipped the shock into place again and now, when I adjust the preload collar, the shock does not move.

 

[EricV]

I'm totally jealous. No farkle funds, but at 27k the back end is wagging pretty good in the corners when I'm loaded up and in rally trim. And this is w/o a fuel cell, which I plan on adding. At the very least I need a stiffer spring.

I'm all too familiar with the difference good suspension bits make. Good on the folks for leading the way so that the rest of us can follow as we can afford to, or need to, as the case may be. ::008::

 

[snakebitten]

I'm with you EricV.
When I rented an S10 with 50,000+ miles on it, I was shocked at the difference between it and my much newer one. I actually thought the seat was in the low position AND that it, the bike itself, had been lowered as well.

But the seat was in the high position and the rental company assured me that they had done no after-market suspension work. They were confident that the bike had simply "settled" that much from normal wear.

So I am convinced that I would greatly appreciate addressing the stock suspension with some quality bits.

Especially since I do so much 2-up fully loaded riding.

 

[avc8130]

Fred,

I am glad you figured it out. That ride height adjuster does need to be locked down. The shock will "pivot" back and forth during preload adjust due to the heim syle mount at the top.

Make sure you have the set screws out before adjusting preload.

For the rest of you:

I spoke to Nick. While he can't offer the group buy price any more, he is still offering a forum discount if anyone feels left out

ac

 

[fredz43]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, there is very slight movement when adjusting the preload now that I have the ride height adjuster locked down, but not near as much as it moved when it wasn't locked down.

Fred,

I am glad you figured it out. That ride height adjuster does need to be locked down. The shock will "pivot" back and forth during preload adjust due to the heim syle mount at the top.

Make sure you have the set screws out before adjusting preload.

For the rest of you:

I spoke to Nick. While he can't offer the group buy price any more, he is still offering a forum discount if anyone feels left out

ac

 

[avc8130]

Fred,

So how is the shock on your flat, straight, boring roads?
::26::
ac

 

[digitalmoto]

Yeah, next time try this:
Put the bike on centerstand. Remove the little keeper for the brake line attached to the subframe.
Then you should be able to undo the rear linkage bolt and shock bolts. Now the shock should slink out through the subframe/frame hole.

I can do a swap in about 20 mins at this point.

How did the initial setup go? sag/damping/etc.

Ac

I have been sliding the shock through the swingarm. I've been strapping the rear wheel to the subframe. Once I figured that out trick, it's been easy to swap out the shock.
My shock was sent directly from Penske because of my scheduling issues. I also ordered an extra, heavier spring from Nick. It arrived the day after the shock arrived. I had already installed the shock so I got more practice removing it. Changing out the spring was super easy. I think it took all of 5 minutes.
My only wish/complaint is that the hose was an inch longer. It is a little hard to get the reservoir tucked into the subframe. Another inch would make it much easier to position the reservoir.
[font=]The shock itself rocks. It is so much better than stock. It took me a few days on the road to figure out the ideal settings for me. The 900lb spring worked well for me with minimal preload while loaded down with 2 full panniers & top case, 2 extra tires, 2 gas cans, gallon of oil, and camping fuel. I swapped tires in Dawson and did an oil change. I kept the used tires just in case the Dempster shreaded one of the new set. The rear end worked great on my way up to Inuvik. I dumped/donated my used tires at Dawson when I went through the second time. When my wife flew into Fairbanks, I cranked the preload, dropped some front preload to soften the ride and everything worked. She ended up riding pillion for over 2500 miles.[/font]
[font=]Now that I'm home, I need to swap springs and go back to the 750. [/font]

 

[avc8130]

We mulled over the hose length. With the location we both liked, we gave up the ease of adjustment for looks/protection. If the hose was much longer, the back of the reservoir body started gettting close to the top of the subframe since it is in a triangle. We figured the average user might struggle initially to setup the compression and install it...but really, once that is done it will sit there and be fine. You won't be making compression adjustments daily or every gas stop.

Glad to hear it worked out for you. Nick told me about your situation. It sounds like he was really able to take care of you!

ac

 

[fredz43]

Fred,

So how is the shock on your flat, straight, boring roads?
::26::
ac

I installed it yesterday, but haven[t taken it for a ride yet, or even set the sag. I just got back from a great 4500 mile trip to CO, the long way (via MS) and our 4 day ride home featured very hot temps, with a high of 110 in southern CO and northern OK. It is still 105 around here and I have had enough of hot weather riding for now. It will cool down to the 90's next week, so I'll find out then.

 

[avc8130]

I installed it yesterday, but haven[t taken it for a ride yet, or even set the sag. I just got back from a great 4500 mile trip to CO, the long way (via MS) and our 4 day ride home featured very hot temps, with a high of 110 in southern CO and northern OK. It is still 105 around here and I have had enough of hot weather riding for now. It will cool down to the 90's next week, so I'll find out then.

Awesome. Sounds like you had a swe(a)et ride! Post up how it works outs!

ac

 

[spklbuk]

Finally manufactured some time and mounted the Penske shock yesterday along with some electrical farkles. Now to manufacture some play time to try it out.


AC, many thanks to you and to all who made this buy happen.

 

[spklbuk]

WOW!!! After only a short evening jaunt (75-100) miles on a w-i-d-e variety of road surfaces w/ spkldoe mounted up in full gear and about 15 lbs of stock shock, shop manual, some tools etc. in the top box, I can honestly tell you the Penske has TRANSFORMED my bike from a big trailee that seemed to struggle hard to carry 2 (read down in the ass) to a seriously capable 2-up mochang.

I'm almost ready to declare it the winner of the 'best farkle I've done and may ever do' contest after only one brief excursion. I'm 99.9999999% certain that more road time and fine tweaking of all those knobs will only tell the same tale. WHooHOOOOOO! ::015::

Time to start saving my pennies to upgrade the front end!!!!!

 

[avc8130]

Hmm...where's the "I told you so" smiley ::024::

Glad you are as thrilled as I was. Keep enjoying and don't be scared to tune. If you remember where you were, you can always go back if the change you make doesn't work.

ac

 

[~TABASCO~]

WOW!!! After only a short evening jaunt (75-100) miles on a w-i-d-e variety of road surfaces w/ spkldoe mounted up in full gear and about 15 lbs of stock shock, shop manual, some tools etc. in the top box, I can honestly tell you the Penske has TRANSFORMED my bike from a big trailee that seemed to struggle hard to carry 2 (read down in the ass) to a seriously capable 2-up mochang.

I'm almost ready to declare it the winner of the 'best farkle I've done and may ever do' contest after only one brief excursion. I'm 99.9999999% certain that more road time and fine tweaking of all those knobs will only tell the same tale. WHooHOOOOOO! ::015::

Time to start saving my pennies to upgrade the front end!!!!!

Where are a few pictures of the install or the final ? I need to save for a shock as well.. I'm on the stocker full stiff...
::006::