Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Need rear shock advice

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adrenalinejunky81:
Is it worth the time and $ to have the stock rear shock revalved? I know anything would have to be a huge improvement over stock 89 KX5 equipment, but from what I see is the rear shock has some serious deficiencies. Has anyone found a newer shock swap that fits/works? Oh yeah Im about 145lbs and I dune it mostly. Tired of gettin left behind!! Thought it was 100% my fault, then borrowed a 250f. Now its obvious that its more like 80% bike and 20% me. New take-off shocks are cheap on ebay, its just findin measurements thats hard.

Platypus:
When was the last time you had the suspension serviced?  That's a good starting point.  Springs and certain internals do wear and need replacement over time.  A bike that has sat for a while will need basic suspension service (replace fluids / recharge shock).  Have you done any basic setup to it?  Such as adjusting the sag?  Start from the beginning because you will have to do this stuff anyway if you go for revalving and all that good stuff and it could end up saving you money on something you don't need.  You can get basic service done on it for 75 bucks or so and most suspension guys will set it up based on your weight, riding style and level of skill.

adrenalinejunky81:
I know it looks abused in that pic buried in mud, but I assure you its not. It handles most things fine, but other times the rear ends unpredictable. Id prefer to find a newer shock/spring and toss the old one in the trash where it belongs. Id hate to put $300 into a shock Im still not going to be happy with  :evil:

Platypus:
My rear end can be unpredictable too.  It can send me swapping through whoops at speed and scare the crap out of me or send me flying.  I'm pretty sure most of the time it's body position.  Anyway, answer some of those questions and you might get some help. 

adrenalinejunky81:
When was the last time you had the suspension serviced?  NOT BIG ON DONATING MONEY TO THE LOCAL "MECHANICS" IM MORE THAN CAPABLE OF BREAKING IT MYSELF. ID ACTUALLY BE SURPRISED IF ANY SHOPS WOULD TOUCH A BIKE THIS OLD That's a good starting point.  Springs and certain internals do wear and need replacement over time.  CHANGED OIL LAST YEAR, FRONT FORKS WORK AND LOOKED FINE A bike that has sat for a while will need basic suspension service (replace fluids / recharge shock). ITS NEVER SAT Have you done any basic setup to it?  Such as adjusting the sag?  IM 5'6", NOT A WHOLE LOT OF ROOM TO SET IT, NOT BOTTOMED BUT MAYBE LOWERED A TOTAL OF AN INCH OR TWO? Start from the beginning because you will have to do this stuff anyway if you go for revalving and all that good stuff and it could end up saving you money on something you don't need.  THEN WHO DOES EVERY REVIEW ON THIS BIKE (AND EVEN WHEN NEW) COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME THING IVE NOTICED?? THE REAR SHOCK NEEDS TO BE CHANGED WITH SOMETHING UP TO NEWER SPECS You can get basic service done on it for 75 bucks or so and most suspension guys will set it up based on your weight, riding style and level of skill. AND THIS WILL FIX THE SHOCK "SPIKING" EVERYTIME I LAND SOMETHING OVER 4'? NOT FUN WHEN COMING OVER THE TOP OF A DUNE. ITS SET PERFECT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE AND I HAVENT SEEN ANY IMPROVEMENT I LIKED FROM MESSIN WITH IT. 



Bikes arent supposed to bounce the rear up when landing. My friends watching have told me the same thing. Someone out there has to have swapped in a newer shock. Am I gonna have to be the first???

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