I met Kevin, the owner of this shock at a MotoYard.com track day.  Kevin has a popular aftermarket shock on his ‘08 R-6.  I adjusted that shock to do it’s best but a weak spring with too much pre-load even with the adjuster backed off all the way and very little compression damping limits what I can do at the track.

Kevin was surprised when I told him that his stock shock is better than most aftermarket shocks and that I could make it perfect.

$420 to rebuild, re-valve and re-spring this shock.  I start with the correct rate spring for your weight, not the correct rate according to your buddy.  Then I add the correct amount of pre-load, again I use Jim Lindemann’s system here not what some guy on the internet said.  Then I fix the high speed compression adjuster so it has a useful range.  Then I change the valve stacks to get any damping curve I want.

The best thing about these R-6 shocks is the high speed compression adjuster.  It’s the same as on the R-6 forks.  After I fix the range of adjustment you have a stock shock (and forks) that have a working high speed compression adjuster.  Being able to change the high speed damping is almost as good as re-valving and you can do it with a wrench!

High speed damping comes into play when the forks or shock move fast like on a bump.  Low speed damping is for when they move slow like leaning into a turn.

Kevin and I will install this shock back on his bike this Friday afternoon at Streets of Willow and he will race with it on Friday with Moto West GP.

Sure I could re-spring and re-valve his aftermarket shock but even then it would not have a high speed compression adjuster.

Some aftermarket shocks are great.  Penske builds their shocks to order using the correct rate springs and they have good damping curves.

You know Cix because you saw her in “Roadracing World.”  Here she is poising with Greg’s rebuilt, re-valved and re-sprung forks.  As well as his rebuilt, re-valved an re-sprung, used Penske 3-way.  I know this guy in Hawaii, little guy with a big name, who had this shock on his bike years ago.  Can you believe he saved the manual that came with the Penske?  Racers are all the same.

If you’re going to spend big bucks on a red bike with it’s shock on the side I think the spring should match the paint. Don’t you? While we were fixing the color we also gave Alex the correct rate.

Now I can clean stuff without bending down. Getting too old for that. The best part about my new wash table is that I used up a bunch of scrap lumber that was taking up space so it only cost me a little labor and reduced the mess.

Yes, this does mean that your forks and shocks are dirty when you send them to me.

Jack’s NSR250 won’t be going anywhere, at lest till it gets it’s legs back tomorrow. It’s only $50 extra if you give me your whole bike. I can pick it up at any MotoYard track day or race and return it to you at the next event or you can bring it to me by appointment.

This new WP 3-Way fit’s a ‘01 – ’03 GSXR 600 and a ‘00 – ‘03 GSXR750. $750 includes the correct spring for your weight.

This new WP 3-Way fit’s a ‘99 – ’00 CBR600RR. $750 includes the correct spring for your weight.

This used Penske 3-Way fit’s a ’95 – ‘04 ZX6-R. $750 includes a rebuild, re-valve and the correct spring for your weight.