Review: Jamie Daugherty's 5th Gen Rear Shock Upgrade Kit

I tried to PM but your inbox is full. Shoot me an e-mail and I'll send you a quote. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the review and photos but while looking at all this mess I just thought wasn't it great when we had the double loop cradle frame and you could just change each shock by removing two bolts. the do the other shock and that was it.

This new high performance shock is bigger and beefier.
What was wrong with two smaller shocks,one on each side and you did not have to get down on your back to do it.

I just do not see the design improvement.
Simplicity below.

 

I think your last sentence should have said "Simplicity is slow".... because that's what it is!

Technology has moved on. If there wasn't a benefit it wouldn't exist. We can do light years more with a monoshock and linkage than a dual, direct-fit shocks could ever dream of.

 

I found this thread on mono vs dual shock: Rear Suspension - Mono Shock vs. Dual Shock - Motorcycle Forum Pretty good info there on why dual shock is a thing of the past.

 

Finally got it installed

Jamie,
Finally got the shock on the bike. Looks great. I will give it a first spin tomorrow afternoon hopefully and report back. I can already tell the difference from stock at a standstill...much firmer and a bit taller. Can't wait to try it out.
Thanks for a quality product. Pleasure doing business with you!:bounce:

 

Many motocross motorcycles are converting from monoshock to twin shock designs.

 

Check out this wikipedia on suspension: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_(motorcycle)

Take note of this text:

I guess they're going dualshock so they can hope to have a chance of beating a '70's bike. :lol:

 

OK....Thanks for the info.
I wondered why they would go to all that trouble.

 

Thanks for this post.
Really good pictures. I have a question.
I have been offered a really affordable brand new Bitubo shock that looks like it can be modded to fit in my 2000VFR. I'm including an image of it.
Does anybody on this thread think that it will not work. The length eye to eye is currently 339mm, but there appears plenty of space to redrill the two lower bolts
higher up for an 326mm eye to eye. Any opinions on clearance for the reservoir?

Thanks

Jerry.

 

Send Jamie an email or a PM, he may need more info though, like the dimensions of the reservoir and how far it sticks out from the body of the shock. Note that the lower mount of the shock is not the same as the 5 Gen shock so that would have to be replaced.

 

It could work, however it would be difficult. Not only would you need a completely different lower mount (that is a clevis, you need an eye) you would also need to shorten the stroke/travel of the shock. After reducing the stroke you would likely need to make the lower mount longer to net the correct 325mm eye-eye for your VFR (328mm is ideal, by the way). Don't forget a different spring (likely) and revalve (for sure). I would expect at least $350-400 in modifications to make that shock fit your VFR.

 

Thank you ootv and Jamie for your wise counsel. Looks like I should pass. Jamie, your shock options still look best. Saving my hard earned farklecash.

 

Never had an issue taking out the stocker from my 4th gen and swapping in my fox and then a Penske...wonder what the issue is?

 

I think they were saying that the battery box/wheel well needs to be removed to get the shock in and out. I just put in Jamie's shock on mine and this must needs be to facilitate the swap.

 

I can see with the large reservoir on the 929 there might be a problem. Pulling the battery, starter relay and batt tray shouldn't be a big deal. Good to swap out a well spanked stock shock!

 

Hi Joey-dude, I got my shock from Jamie today, but if I face reservoir to the front, the rebound adjuster is the wrong way from your one.
It is on the exhaust side and very hard to adjust.
Did he make it wrong?

 

Jamie,
I have a Wilbers shock built for VTR. Can you tell me if modifying a shock built for the VTR to fit a 4th or 5th gen VFR is possible/ how much work it takes?

 

It can be installed either way. I prefer to put it towards the rear when I install them. I've found that most customers orient it towards the front though. Either way works just fine!

 

Sure, that would be possible. It is difficult to get parts for Wilbers shocks in the US so it could require some custom work (rethreading the lower mount). That's what I've had to do in the past when adapting Wilbers shocks to other bikes. Not terribly difficult in most cases.