Author Topic: Well crap! Rear shock seals  (Read 7685 times)

Offline milq

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Well crap! Rear shock seals
« on: February 24, 2017, 12:32:16 PM »
Just came out to install a new front tire and noticed oil under the final drive...shock seals are toast on the Works Performance unit.
Spoke with them and looking at up to $300 to rebuild since there's no idea how big the original purchaser was, etc.  $500+ to replace.
Anyone have any thoughts? Should I be looking at RAM or others instead?
  • Southern IL
  • 1988 K75S

Offline wmax351

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2017, 12:37:53 PM »
Just replacing the seals at WP is pretty cheap. Forgot how much it was for me, but definitely not 300, and mine was seals, bladder, and shaft.
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline Chaos

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2017, 12:43:44 PM »
My Works blew out after a couple years, replaced it with a Progressive. Someone just posted about getting Ram Shocks for about $325, http://www.ramshox.com/
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2017, 01:14:10 PM »
I don't know what they were quoting you, but I had the Works shock on my K75S rebuilt after a seal blow out and a longer shaft installed about a year and a half ago.   

Shaft, seals, bladder and labor was less than $200 if I recall correctly.  I think seals and bladder are about $70 or so.  Could go back and find the invoice.

Go to their web site and check the price list.  They are pretty reasonable.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline milq

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2017, 01:18:39 PM »
Just replacing the seals at WP is pretty cheap. Forgot how much it was for me, but definitely not 300, and mine was seals, bladder, and shaft.
Yeah, he said $100 for just an inspection and service, but I'm pretty sure I'm significantly heavier than the owner that bought the shock. The guy I bought the bike from is 60lbs lighter than me and he liked it a lot. It squats pretty bad with me on it (270lbs) so I suspect a spring and re-valve at a minimum. Also unknown mileage on the shock, so bushings could be worn, etc.
  • Southern IL
  • 1988 K75S

Offline wmax351

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2017, 02:27:46 PM »
Yeah, he said $100 for just an inspection and service, but I'm pretty sure I'm significantly heavier than the owner that bought the shock. The guy I bought the bike from is 60lbs lighter than me and he liked it a lot. It squats pretty bad with me on it (270lbs) so I suspect a spring and re-valve at a minimum. Also unknown mileage on the shock, so bushings could be worn, etc.


Which model is it? With the multi-rate setting, you could put it to the 2nd setting (normally for passenger and no baggage) and that would help a bit.


All in all, I'd say it's worth paying for them to fix and/or update it. It's cheaper than a lower quality shock would be new.
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline milq

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2017, 05:02:43 PM »
Looking at their site, it appears to be a Tracker with dual rate springs and remote reservoir. No apparent adjustments for rebound or compression that I can see.
  • Southern IL
  • 1988 K75S

Offline milq

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2017, 05:04:41 PM »
  • Southern IL
  • 1988 K75S

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2017, 05:28:48 PM »
Tracker with three rate springs.  Looks like the adjustable preload is in the lowest position.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline Laitch

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2017, 05:52:09 PM »
Looking at their site, it appears to be a Tracker with dual rate springs and remote reservoir. No apparent adjustments for rebound or compression that I can see.
I think you've got one of these and it has a couple of adjustments. Read all about it, even if that isn't it. :giggles
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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline johnny

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #11 on: February 24, 2017, 08:11:20 PM »
  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline milq

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #12 on: February 24, 2017, 09:17:31 PM »
You guys are the bestest. If I can get Works to sell me a seal kit and find someone that can charge it with nitrogen, I'd be in business!
  • Southern IL
  • 1988 K75S

Offline wmax351

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2017, 09:43:11 PM »
You guys are the bestest. If I can get Works to sell me a seal kit and find someone that can charge it with nitrogen, I'd be in business!


I did that, and I'd recommend you just send it in: doesn't cost much more to have them do it. I think putting it back together was how my shaft got bent.
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Taking the springs off is a PITA. I had to weld a jig together to do it the second time. I got them powdercoated, then sent the powder coated springs and the shock off to works, they had it back in a week or two IIRC.
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #14 on: February 24, 2017, 09:45:49 PM »
Most any Japanese bike dealer will have access to the equipment to charge your shock.  My local Kawasaki dealer charges mine every two years for $12.  It's about as complicated as filling a tire.

Their setup is pretty simple once you have a nitrogen tank and a regulator with a good gauge.  Basically it is a screw on chuck with a manual depressor for the Schraeder valve.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline Snowman

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Re: Well crap! Rear shock seals
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2017, 10:57:47 PM »

Just got one of these for my K11LT from the UK. $325.00 to my door. Custom built for my weight and riding style. The quality is easily on par with Ohlins. Fully rebuildable for 1/2 of price of a Progressive shock when I need to.
http://www.ramshox.com/products.html

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