New member, maybe silly suspension question

[d-man9000]

I picked up an 85 K100RS just before winter last year, and I'm getting it ready to ride this season.

The previous owner put a K1100 rear shock on the bike. From what I've read, it's longer than the stock shock for the 85 RS. I'm not short by any means, but even with boots on, I cannot flat foot this thing. So I'd like to replace the rear shock with the proper sized rear shock.

My problem is finding one. Most online stores claim not to have shocks for the RS from 1985, only the base, RT and LT from 85 on.

Was there actually a difference in the rear shock for those early years of the RS?

[mystic red]

Don't know but you can look it up here.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?kind=M&series=89V2&arch=0

[wmax351]

The frame and driveline is the same between submodels. You should be fine with the shock for an LT, RT, or standard.

[johnny]

greetings d-man9000...

welcome to motobrick.com...

what wmax351 said is correct... what mystic red was talking about is plug in your vin to be sure of whats you gotts... then drill down from there...

these two links are for a k100rs built in january of 1985...

parts list...

cross reference...

now that you know what models the stock shocker is used on... now you can look for a suitable aftermarket shock...

i gotts the works performance cause its made for hard riding 2up twistys... butts i hear good things abouts the yss... and of course there are the big daddys... wilbers and olins...

j o

[Motorhobo]

Buying from someone who knows their ch1t gets you added value -- buying from anonymous Internet shopping cart gets you anonymity.

Call Klaus at http://epmperf.com/ -- he sells YSS, Wilburs, Hyperpro out of NJ -- I got an excellent price on YSS and he rebuild and services what he sells. There's a Works guy on West Coast...can't remember name. If you're in UK there's a custom shock thats built there...can't remember name. PM me and I'll find info.

You might consider putting your location info in your profile...

[Scott_]

Don't forget about the REALM shocks as well. This is also a good product for a fair price.
I have one and would not hesitate to get another one.

[Motorhobo]

Don't forget about the REALM shocks as well. This is also a good product for a fair price.
I have one and would not hesitate to get another one.

Isn't that the UK one?

http://www.realmengineering.com/index.html

I hear they have a US distributor now but couldn't find it. If anybody has info, please post.

 but I  guess my point is that if anyone can answer your original question and get your the right shock set up to your spec it would be Klaus or the folks at Realm directly -- they've been dealing with K bike suspension for decades and have the knowledge base.

[mystic red]

If you put the K1100 shock part # in the little search box you get this....

Part Cross-reference
   
 RealOEM.com Home

Language:
Part 33532312257 (Strut, black, rear) was found on the following vehicles:

89V1: Details on 89V1
89V1 K 100 RS (0523,0533) N/A

89V2: Details on 89V2
89V2 K 1100 LT (0526, 0536) N/A
89V2 K 1100 RS (0522,0532) N/A

[johnny]

d-man9000 oughtta post up the vin of his moto and the part number of his shocker instead of making asumptions to what he gotts and what he needs...

he may have a ural engine on a bsa frame...

j o

[d-man9000]

Wow, thanks for all the information so far.

First off, it is indeed a K100RS, the serial# is 0040830. Built in August of 1984.

Second, the shock that's on it, I couldn't find a part number easily last night, but I saw 'SHOWA B007' on it. A quick googling of that turns up a K1100 shock from the 90s. The shock is roughly 15" eye-eye.

As far as I'm aware, the shock on a 2v K100 should be 14".

Using Real OEM, I can get the parts diagram for the rear end, including the shock, but it doesn't have the part number for it.

I'm mostly interested in just getting a decent shock, doesn't have to be OEM(from my reading, it sounds like I'd be better off with something else, anyways)

Thanks again!

[mystic red]

O.K....when I go to Max BMW Part Fiche and punch in the info I gets this part # for the rear shock.

 33 53 1 450 850

When I cross refer that # I gets this page and it doesn't show K1100's

Part 33531450850 (Spring strut, rear) was found on the following vehicles:

K569: Details on K569
K569 K 75 RT (0565,0573) N/A

K589: Details on K589
K589 K 100 83 (0501,0511) N/A
K589 K 100 LT 87 (0506,0516) N/A
K589 K 100 RS 83 (0502,0503,0513) N/A
K589 K 100 RT 84 (0504,0505,0514) N/A

No you don't want a OEM shock anyway...go aftermarket and for the front also as far as that is concerned.

[johnny]

if you are gonna be mostly 1up i would take the moetoehoeboes advice and getts a yss from klaus...

j o

[d-man9000]

O.K....when I go to Max BMW Part Fiche and punch in the info I gets this part # for the rear shock.

 33 53 1 450 850

When I cross refer that # I gets this page and it doesn't show K1100's

Part 33531450850 (Spring strut, rear) was found on the following vehicles:

K569: Details on K569
K569 K 75 RT (0565,0573) N/A

K589: Details on K589
K589 K 100 83 (0501,0511) N/A
K589 K 100 LT 87 (0506,0516) N/A
K589 K 100 RS 83 (0502,0503,0513) N/A
K589 K 100 RT 84 (0504,0505,0514) N/A

No you don't want a OEM shock anyway...go aftermarket and for the front also as far as that is concerned.

That's certainly helpful. So I should be able to go with any shock that's meant for the K589 series. That certainly makes it easier. My problem before was that most sites weren't even listing the K100RS for 85, only the base, RT and LT.

For the front, I'm assuming new/better oil and new springs?

if you are gonna be mostly 1up i would take the moetoehoeboes advice and getts a yss from klaus...

j o

I'll check it out. My plan is going to be primarily 1Up and traveling fairly light.

Progressive seems to be readily available(readily as in on Amazon and Prime compatible), but I've heard mixed reviews on those. Anyone feel like chiming in?

[Motorhobo]

Yeah -- I'll chime in. I had a Progressive 420 but they stopped making replacement parts and bladders so it can't be rebuilt. Sure it was 15 years old but after 15 years I don't expect to be left with 18 lbs of landfill.

Call Klaus and go for the YSS or at least talk to him -- design is better, can be adjusted on the fly without the big spanner. Klaus is very knowledgeable and will probably save you time what with all the googling you're going to have to do to find the right one for your brick. Plus, he supports everything he sells. I feel good about giving him my business which is really more than I can say about a lot of the places that sell Progressive.

Also -- when I called Progressive to find about the rebuildability of the Progressive 420 the 'CSR' was a snot-nosed f**k with an attitude. I hate that.

[d-man9000]

Cool, I'll give Klaus a call.

[K75RT Keith]

YSS offers 2 models that fit the K75/K100 2 valves.  I got a 355TRL and am very pleased after dialing it in.

http://www.yssusa.com/images/yssapplist.pdf

[MEL]

I go a works performance shock off of ebay ....had it rebuilt by Works..great shock but at 5 feet 9 I cant flat foot it either...if that is what you are after try to  find a short shock....

Mike

[Motorhobo]

I got  YSS Z-366TR - comes in lengths from 240 to 390mm -- there's and optional length adjuster which i assume is what it sounds like it is.

http://www.yssusa.com/series-z.html

You might have to special order. I'm very happy with the 366 -- having said I'm an everyday utility rider on the pancake-flat eastern shore of the Chesapeake, not a hard twistie bovine backroad rider...but j o is and he gave the YSS a  :2thumbup: too. Klaus will set you up with the right height and dial it in for your weight. That worked for me -- I like to keep my brain out of things I don't fully understand.

[d-man9000]

I ordered one yesterday, they were all out of the 'Z' shocks, so I just opted for the ME 302-360 T

Thanks to everyone for your help and suggestions!

[rbm]

I hear they have a US distributor now but couldn't find it. If anybody has info, please post.

My understanding from before is that DWMS Racing is the North American distributor of Realm products.

[roninvt]

You are correct, rbm...I bought a ram shock from him last year....nice people to deal with

[staffordworks]

my '95 blew its rear shock right after i stopped the leaking front, I keep cleaning up oil but now I'm down to a full bobble head bounce , nothing but spring :(  saving up to get this: http://cycleplicity.com/products/299183-progressive_suspension_412_4016b_412_series_shocks.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=299183NOFITMENT&utm_campaign=GSNOFITMENT&adtype=pla&kw=&utm_term=&adpos=1o1&network=g&gclid=CLz0qLDtg74CFYlafgods5MAfQ

anyone have experience with these? and/or know where i could just get a used one (so i can have my re-furbished, can't be offline for 2 weeks, daily commuter)

 :musicboohoo:

[Motorhobo]

My understanding is that the Progressive 412 isn't rebuildable. IMO a non-rebuildable shock isn't worth $210. Progressive 440s are apparently only factory rebuildable at $200 more -- then theres the whole question of Progressive's 'limited lifetime warranty' whatever that is...Read this entire thread for other options i.e. YSS, Realm, and do due diligence on Google before buying to find it whether it can or can't be rebuilt.

[staffordworks]

my plan was either or, mine is stock and is rebuildable so for that i'd need a really cheap used one, if not then this is the cheapest new replacement i can find, otherwise i'm looking at $400+ and i'm bouncing for many months :\

[Motorhobo]

Ok -- I get it. If you're just looking for a spare there are a couple OEM on fleabay for under $100...for what that's worth...might get you down the road while you wait.