Shock overhaul question

twinrider

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My bike has about 30,000 miles on it and it's time to overhaul the suspension. To avoid having to send out the shock to have it overhauled I recently picked up a used ES shock with just 7400 miles on it. It's super clean looking with no signs of wear. I figured I can just bolt it on and ride given its mileage and condition but wanted to get some other opinions first whether it's worth changing the gas and oil in it.
 

~TABASCO~

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Do you have an “ES” bike ? If you own a non-ES I don’t think it will work. I believe it’s a different length, I might’ve wrong. But if the ES shock is not plugged in I don’t know how functional the compression and rebound will be. It might also be semi- ridged and non ‘adjustable’ unless it’s plugged into an ES ‘ECU’. I’ve seen this with other things I’ve messed with over 40+ years.
Buuuuuuuuuuut- I might be wrong and learn something new. LOL
 

twinrider

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Do you have an “ES” bike ? If you own a non-ES I don’t think it will work. I believe it’s a different length, I might’ve wrong. But if the ES shock is not plugged in I don’t know how functional the compression and rebound will be. It might also be semi- ridged and non ‘adjustable’ unless it’s plugged into an ES ‘ECU’. I’ve seen this with other things I’ve messed with over 40+ years.
Buuuuuuuuuuut- I might be wrong and learn something new. LOL
It's an ES bike and the replacement shock is identical to the one I have except it's got 23,000 fewer miles on it.
 

SilverBullet

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Why would you think it needs a rebuild at 30k miles? It's not an Ohlins. Lol

I have heard the ES shock is not so simple to replace so hope that swap goes well for you. It is not an unbolt and drop like the non ES shock.
 

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It's an ES bike and the replacement shock is identical to the one I have except it's got 23,000 fewer miles on it.
Just plug it in and go.
 

twinrider

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Why would you think it needs a rebuild at 30k miles? It's not an Ohlins. Lol

I have heard the ES shock is not so simple to replace so hope that swap goes well for you. It is not an unbolt and drop like the non ES shock.
Shocks definitely benefit from at least an oil/gas refresh after 6 years/30000 miles of use. Whether the owner thinks its necessary is another matter all together.

All the electronics are attached to the replacement shock. Having my shop do it as well as overhaul the front forks and replace the steering head bearings.
 

Jlq1969

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Since we are talking specifically about the rear shock of the ES,….the hose between the shock and the expansion tank, we already know that it will have nitrogen, or some other gas, ... but the other hose ?? .... which is the one that goes to the regulating system the rebound electronically ... what does it contain? ... is it just air that is compressed with the mechanism that is under the side cover of the ES to regulate the rebound?
066A6C56-3695-4D29-8333-76F895DC7660.jpeg
 

twinrider

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Since we are talking specifically about the rear shock of the ES,….the hose between the shock and the expansion tank, we already know that it will have nitrogen, or some other gas, ... but the other hose ?? .... which is the one that goes to the regulating system the rebound electronically ... what does it contain? ... is it just air that is compressed with the mechanism that is under the side cover of the ES to regulate the rebound?
View attachment 85956
Not sure, mine didn't have a loose hose like that. It was like this (pic from fleabay).

s-l1600-1.jpg
 

WJBertrand

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That hose is supposed to be filled with hydraulic fluid for adjusting the preload piston. It’s not part of the damping system.


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Jlq1969

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That hose is supposed to be filled with hydraulic fluid for adjusting the preload piston. It’s not part of the damping system.


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I believe that the preload is adjusted with an electric motor (the same as the front ones), which is placed on the shock absorber and when turning, it screws /unscrews the upper base of the spring, compressing / decompressing the spring. Instead of being manual (turning the knob)… .this turn is electric
56B61A57-DD92-467E-B7BD-1417D3FFCC04.jpeg
 
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Sierra1

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I'm thinking the hose, and electric connector are two different things. Twinrider's pic is a plug-n-play. Jlq's is an ala carte pic.
 

WJBertrand

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The circled electric connector is for the damping adjustments. The preload is handled hydraulically by the pump/reservoir under the right side cover. The pump either adds or removes hydraulic fluid from the piston assembly atop the spring.

There are no preload adjustments to the front forks, only damping adjustments.

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WJBertrand

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Well the preload pump certainly has a motor too (under the right side cover), should not be confusing.


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Cycledude

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Well so far I have 30,000 miles on my ES and haven’t noticed any suspension issues.
My only complaint is the side stand should be slightly shorter for the way my suspension is set, I have to be pretty careful where I park.
 

twinrider

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Well so far I have 30,000 miles on my ES and haven’t noticed any suspension issues.
My only complaint is the side stand should be slightly shorter for the way my suspension is set, I have to be pretty careful where I park.
That's how suspension is. Most people don't notice the slow degrade of performance. Then they overhaul it and go "wow, that feels so much better."
 

twinrider

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Got the bike back. The refreshed suspension feels much more supple than before. Money well spent after 6 years of use.
 
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