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

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by Joey_Dude, Mar 18, 2010.

  1. StephenB

    StephenB New Member

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    Hi Jamie,
    I got my CBR929 shock from you. Do you have a starting adjustment set-up you recommend? Preload, compression, rebound? You set the shock for my 180Lbs.
     
  2. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    All shocks are delivered with baseline settings in place - they are intended to bolt on and ride. If you need particular assistance please send me an email. Thanks!
     
  3. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    I was very, very happy with his kit for my 1984 VF750F (resprung F4i with linkage). I have only good things to say about his service ethic.



    .
     
  4. TNRabbit

    TNRabbit New Member

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    I just ordered one--when I get it on the road, I'll let you guys know....
     
  5. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

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    Holy old-thread revival who knew this 5 year old thread would keep running.

    Jamie, I'll be expecting a nice royalty check from all the referral business you're getting. :amen:
     
  6. seano

    seano New Member

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    Got mine recently, and will start the install soon.
    I'm installing braided stainless brake lines, and pulling calipers for cleaning and replacement of seals.
    While I'm in there, I'll install the new shock within a day or so. Hoping I can just raise the fuel tank up a bit without removing it as it's full to the brim, and I'm too lazy to drain it . . .
    Anywho, I'm really excited to be starting the season with new brake lines, freshened up calipers, and a new suspension. Just waiting to get my rebuilt/resprung forks back from Jamie, and I'll be good to go!!
     
  7. sfdownhill

    sfdownhill New Member

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    Thanks for the thorough write-ups and photos, Joey and Viffer.

    Joey [Or Jamie] - does your DMR 929 shock have high speed and low speed compression damping adjustment, or a single compression adjustment?
     
  8. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    The modified CBR929 shock has the same adjustments as the original CBR shock, namely a rebound adjuster at the bottom, and a single low speed compression adjuster on the reservoir.
     
  9. sfdownhill

    sfdownhill New Member

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    Thanks Cadbury - I've peering at photos and doing a lot of searching because the ring around the original 929 shock's compression adjuster has flat sides, as if to be adjusted. You have answered my question - low speed compression only.
     
  10. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    The flats are there for assembly of the adjuster only.

    [​IMG]
     

    Attached Files:

  11. JamieDaugherty

    JamieDaugherty New Member

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    The shocks offer rebound damping and compression damping adjustment. Both affect the high and low speed ranges.

    So called "high speed" compression adjustments on shocks is something that is not very well understood, from my experiences. On most shocks this is just a marketing tool - they don't really do a whole lot. On the dyno I can hardly measure an effect at all (sometimes nothing!). There can be momentary spikes of shaft speed that exceed what you can achieve on the dyno, but this is very rare and having an adjustment to deal with that doesn't justify the cost.

    Compression damping adjustments in general are a fine tuning device. The majority of the damping change is done by the rebound adjustment. This adjustment also affects the compression direction which is why it should always be set first.

    Having the shock internals configured correctly is the most important part. Without the correct valving parts and setup the performance will not be good no matter what kind of adjustments you have. That's why everything we build has our BD Series valving with a setup that is thoroughly tested on the dyno in a configuration specifically for that rider and motorcycle. This leaves the adjustments to do the job they were intended for: fine tuning tweaks.

    I hope this helps!
     
  12. Sniper

    Sniper New Member

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    I really enjoy riding my Gen 5 VFR. But what a colossal pain it is to work on. When I changed the shock on my 929, it was 2 bolts. The guy in earlier post had to take half his motorcycle apart. I'll bet it took me every bit of 6 hours to change my thermostat. Probably took 4 hours or more to replace the headers. But the flip side is, I can change a tire in what seem like "nothing flat".

    I found it interesting that some guys think the G5, with the stock Suspention is twitchy, and am I going to make this curve. I guess it's all what you get used to. If you want to ride something very responsive, ride a 929, or better yet, a 990 Super Duke. The VFR feels rock solid. With Pilot Power 3s, I have complete faith. I like to spend money, but for now at least, I'm quite happy with the stock set up. I have only 7200 miles.
     
  13. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    7200 miles on a 5th gen? Wow. It's Still new. Yes, I agree rubber makes a big deal in how the vfr rides. And yea the stock suspension is ok when new, you've probably swapped the fork oil on your part just due to age, another here as a minimum in bang for the buck is a better rate fork spring. I recall that on the 4th gen I bought new, I was pretty happy with the stock set up tweaked, was a huge leap forward from a 84vf1000. But that was in 1996 before all the know. Then on a whim before a good long ride to Laguna knowing there was a lot of twists ahead. I tried new fork oil and a spring, wow, add good tires and dial in the rear all was pretty damn cool. Never knew it could be better. Fast forward to today there is so much more knowledge in whats what, it's almost to much to comprehend, I mean most only ride on the road, a track ok. but.. It's all good.
     
  14. sfdownhill

    sfdownhill New Member

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    Jamie thank you again for sharing your valuable experience. Letting us know that high speed compression adjustability is pretty much a marketing feature [gimmick] is greatly helpful. It makes sense that manufacturers sell more expensive [more profitable] shocks to those who don't have the experience to know better and to those who don't mind paying more for "the best" even if the additional cost doesn't add value.

    Perhaps even more valuable is your explanation of standard [lowspeed] compression adjustment being a lower priority companion adjustment to rebound.

    I'm pretty new to this website, but I'm gonna look for a way to follow your posts.
     
  15. Resina

    Resina New Member

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    Hi Everyone
    Just want to share that front upgrade is also TOP and definitely a must have, even more if you already have rear shock!!
    I have both rear and front from Jamie and couldn't be happier!!!
     
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